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Asthma and the Respiratory System

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Organ Systems and Diseases
Asthma and The Respiratory System

Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways of your lungs. These airways are also known as bronchial tubes; In the case of asthma, chronic means that it never goes away. Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases of children, but adults have asthma, too. Asthma causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma occurs when the airways in your lungs (bronchial tubes) become inflamed and constricted. The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten, and your airways produce extra mucus that blocks your airways. Signs and symptoms of asthma range from minor wheezing to life-threatening asthma attacks. Asthma can't be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Management includes avoiding asthma triggers and tracking your symptoms.

There are many symptoms: Asthma signs and symptoms range from minor to severe, and vary from person to person. You may have mild symptoms such as infrequent wheezing, with occasional asthma attacks. Between episodes you may feel normal and have no trouble breathing. Or, you may have signs and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing all the time or have symptoms primarily at night or only during exercises. Asthma signs and symptoms include: Shortness of breath Chest tightness or pain Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing An audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling Bouts of coughing or wheezing that are worsened by a respiratory virus such as a cold or the flu Signs that your asthma is probably getting worse include: An increase in the severity and frequency of asthma signs and symptoms A fall in peak flow rates as measured by a peak flow meter, a simple device used to check how well your lungs are working- An increased need to

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