Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory tract, mainly manifested by severe shortness of breath and troublesome coughing. What causes asthma, what is its treatment like, and what else is worth knowing about it?
Bronchial asthma – what is it?
Bronchial asthma, also called asthma, is a chronic, incurable inflammatory disease of the airways. As a result of uncontrolled contractions of the bronchi and the accumulation of thick mucus in them, it leads to a reduction in the efficiency of the respiratory tract. And although symptoms of bronchial asthma may disappear, inflammation in the body continues without interruption. Bronchial asthma is considered one of the most serious civilization diseases in the world. According to WHO data, asthma affects up to 18% of the population, depending on the country, and children constitute a large group of patients.
Bronchial asthma – types
There are several types of bronchial asthma – the divisions used are based on the etiology, course and severity of the disease, and the body’s response to treatment. Due to the etiology, bronchial asthma is divided into:
- allergic asthma – the immune system reacts to a substance that does not cause it in healthy people;
- non-allergic asthma – in this case, known allergens are not involved in triggering the symptoms of the disease.
Sometimes the third type of this disease is additionally distinguished – occupational asthma, which is particularly vulnerable to nurses and nurses, people working in agriculture, painting or cleaning.
Taking into account the course and severity of the disease, the following are listed:
- occasional asthma
- mild chronic asthma,
- moderate chronic asthma,
- severe chronic asthma.
In turn, taking into account the body’s response to the applied treatment and risk assessment, the disease can be divided into fully controlled, partially controlled and uncontrolled asthma. What are the characteristics of each of these types?