How does asthma affect ventilation?

Asthmatics have inflamed (swollen) airways that generate a lot of viscous mucus. Inflamed airways are also extremely sensitive, and dust or smoke can cause the muscles around them to constrict. All of these factors can constrict the airways and make breathing difficult.

People with asthma need to know how to breathe correctly in order to stay healthy. They should learn how to recognize if they are having problems breathing and seek help before their conditions get worse.

What happens to the airway in asthma?

With asthma, air has a harder time passing through. The airways swell and fill with mucus. The muscles around the airways tighten, making the airways narrower. Things that can irritate the airways are called "triggers." Common triggers include cigarette smoke, allergies, and exercise. When you breathe in something that triggers an attack, your lungs try to fight back by flooding the airways with mucus to block out any more particles that may be causing the problem.

In severe cases, the airway walls can become so thick with mucus that they start to collapse. This is known as "airway remodeling" and it can happen if your attacks aren't going away. With time, these repeated episodes of swelling and tightening can lead to permanent changes in the size and shape of the airways. This can make it harder for you to breathe even when you don't have symptoms.

How does an asthma attack cause difficulty in breathing?

During an asthma episode, the muscles that surround the airway constrict, restricting airflow to and from the lungs. The airway may also become irritated and mucus-clogged. These changes make it difficult for the air to move out of the lungs and into the throat. This causes trouble breathing.

The three main types of asthma attacks are: mild, moderate, and severe.

In a mild asthma attack, the airways become inflamed and produce more mucus. People with mild asthma may experience tightness in the chest, headache, fatigue, fever, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. They may be able to control their symptoms with an inhaler or oral medication.

In a moderate asthma attack, the airways become severely swollen and narrow. People with moderate asthma may experience shortness of breath, pain when breathing in, pain when breathing out, and reduced ability to exercise. They may need extra oxygen to keep their body functions working properly.

In a severe asthma attack, the airways become so narrowed that enough pressure is built up within the lung to trigger an attack. People with severe asthma may have trouble getting air in and out of their lungs and may require emergency treatment. Other signs of a severe attack include rapid breathing, decreased consciousness, and severe inflammation of the airway.

What happens to the body if you have asthma?

The airways become enlarged and irritated during an asthma attack, also known as an asthma exacerbation. The muscles around the airways tense, and the airways generate more mucus, narrowing the breathing (bronchial) passages. You may cough, wheeze, and have difficulty breathing during an episode. If not treated, asthma can lead to absessive conditions such as emphysema or bronchiectasis. These are more common in people who have severe allergies or who have had several episodes of asthma.

People with asthma lose more bone mass than people without asthma. This is especially true for adults with asthma. Osteoporosis is a condition where there is a loss of bone mass resulting in fragile bones that may break easily. Asthma can cause low blood oxygen levels when you are active or exercising. The more severe your asthma is, the more likely it is to cause bone loss.

People with asthma are at increased risk for infections of the lung, heart, and brain. These infections can lead to pneumonia, heart failure, and stroke, respectively. People with asthma are 2-4 times more likely than those without asthma to die from pneumonia. The reason for this is because people with asthma have poor immune system responses to viruses that most people get quickly enough to prevent any problems.

People with asthma are 2-3 times more likely than those without asthma to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

About Article Author

Gerald Penland

Dr. Penland has worked in hospitals for over 20 years and is an expert in his field. He loves working with patients, helping them to recover from illness or injury, and providing comfort when they are feeling most vulnerable. Dr. Penland also knows how important it is to be compassionate - not just towards patients but also for the staff that work alongside him every day.

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