हिंदी
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways that leads to respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, and chest tightness, which can vary in severity and duration. Once diagnosed, individuals may experience symptoms intermittently in different forms—acute flare-ups, chronic intermittent episodes, or stable periods.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asthma is a persistent lung condition affecting people of all ages. It is caused by inflammation, mucus accumulation, and tightening of muscles around the airways, making breathing difficult.
Acute asthma, or asthma exacerbation, primarily involves inflammation and obstruction of medium and small-sized airways. This results in increased muscle thickness in the airways, causing narrowing and restricted airflow, often accompanied by chest tightness. Mild attacks may last minutes, while severe episodes can persist for hours to days. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, requiring immediate medical attention at a hospital.
Chronic asthma refers to a worsening of acute asthma over time, becoming resistant to typical management strategies. Causes include respiratory infections, allergens like dust mites and pollen, air pollution, stress, and physical exertion. The terminology currently used to describe asthma control states includes uncontrolled asthma (poor symptom management and frequent exacerbations), difficult-to-treat asthma (persistent symptoms despite medication), and severe asthma (poor control despite high-dose medications, with consideration for biologic therapies).
Managing asthma effectively involves correct medication usage, addressing modifiable factors like inhaler technique and adherence, and considering specialized treatments such as biologic therapies for severe cases.
