Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways (bronchi). Their mucous hypersensitive to respond to various stimuli and swells. Moreover produces phlegm that's tough on the lungs. The consequences are recurrent attacks of breathlessness, cough and shortness of breath. In between are also longer free intervals. For heavier histories are frequent complaints or even permanently, and it can lead to a significant reduction of the persons productivity.

In principle, between allergic (extrinsic) and endogenous or intrinsic asthma are different. Allergic asthma occurs frequently in children and young adults. A large proportion of asthmatics suffer additional allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis (atopic dermatitis). Frequent cause of seizures in allergic asthma have allergies to dust mites or animal hair. Rarely are seizures by food or medication caused.

Allergic asthma from 30 to 50 percent of adults have an endogenous asthma. Often found in these individuals are polyps in the nose and para-nasal sinus inflammation. Allergies are not detectable. Complaints by infections or nonspecific stimuli such as cold air, chemical irritants, tobacco smoke, stress and fumes triggered. Also certain drugs against pain (aspirin, NSAIDs) can cause symptoms.

Hybrid mixed forms of both asthma groups occur mainly in adults.

     * Structure and function

Bronchial asthma affects people of all ages and is one of the most common chronic diseases. With ten percent, however, are children under ten years - mostly boys - especially strongly represented. It is the most common chronic illness in childhood. Among the adult population are approximately three to six percent affected, but here the women are the majority.

Through a concerted basis therapy and a good fit treating the complaints are well under control. Preventive measures against asthma attacks play a major role.

   
Causes of Bronchial asthma

The causes of asthma are still unknown. On one play to genetic factors and environmental influences in the emergence of the disease play a role. Moreover include allergic symptoms of the respiratory tract, the strongest risk factors for developing asthma. The precise interplay between genetic factors and various risk factors in the first years of life, which finally lead to the emergence of asthma leads, but is known only in its infancy.

With an asthma attack, it swells the flammable irritated bronchial mucous membrane strongly. Increased production of mucus, narrows the airways further. In addition, the smaller muscles of the airways (bronchi) convulsive this. These processes are difficult breathing, especially exhaling, and worsen the supply of oxygen to the body.

Various stimuli can be an acute asthma attack trigger:

     * Non-specific stimuli: All asthmatics are a number of stimuli influenced (trigger stimuli). These include physical exertion, cold, cigarette smoke, perfume and air pollution.
     * Specific stimuli are mainly pollen, dust, animal hair, molds and some food. These stimuli are also known as allergens.
     * Other factors include, for example, an inflammation of the airways, the viruses or bacteria caused, or certain painkillers (such as aspirin).