bronchial asthma

asthma /as·thma/ (az´mah) recurrent attacks of paroxysmal dyspnea, with wheezing due to spasmodic contraction of the bronchi. It is usually either an allergic manifestation (allergic or extrinsic a.) or secondary to a chronic or recurrent condition (intrinsic a.). asthmat´ic

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bronchial asthma  asthma.

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bronchial asthma

n.

A condition of the lungs characterized by widespread narrowing of the airways due to spasm of the smooth muscle, edema of the mucosa, and the presence of mucus in the lumen of the bronchi and bronchioles. It is caused by the local release of spasmogens and vasoactive substances in the course of an allergic reaction.

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bronchial asthma.

See asthma.

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asthma

a condition marked by recurrent attacks of dyspnea, with wheezing due to spasmodic constriction of the bronchi.

It is also known as bronchial asthma. Attacks vary greatly from occasional periods of wheezing and slight dyspnea to severe attacks that almost cause suffocation.

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acute equine asthma

sudden attacks of respiratory distress in horses at pasture; the dyspnea responds dramatically to treatment with corticosteroids combined with antihistamines.

allergic asthma

extrinsic asthma; bronchial asthma due to allergy. Called also atopic asthma.

atopic asthma

see allergic asthma (above).

bronchial asthma

asthma.

cardiac asthma

a term applied to breathing difficulties due to pulmonary edema in heart disease, such as left ventricular failure.

feline asthma

see feline bronchial asthma.

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Patient discussion about bronchial asthma.

Q. How long does asthma stay with someone? My son has had asthma since he was three years old. The doctors keep telling us that he will grow out of it, he is now twelve. And it even got a little bit worse then ever.

A. some people grow out of it and some don"t,it might depend on how severe the asthma is,

Q. How do I tell my friend his smoking is affecting my asthma? I recently was diagnosed with asthma. Today I almost pass out from second hand smoke @ work. My co-worker smokes but also let his clothes smoke with him - After his smoke break I literally have to leave - he knows I have asthma - how can I tell him without consequences from manager and other co-workers or making him feel bad?

A. I would just tell him about your condition and that it bothers you. I would ask him to not smoke around you. If he does not respond to your niceness then I would go to Human Resources or a manager and deal with it that way. Besides, his smoke breaks take up a lot of time from the company and is consider time-theft.

Q. What causes asthma? My 5 year old son has trouble breathing sometimes after he runs around too much. My friend suggested he might have asthma. What causes this disease?

A. Asthma is a common disease which children are frequently diagnosed with.
The physiological mechanism that causes trouble breathing is in fact known: the immune system is hyper stimulated at its basis, therefore many environmental factors, such as dust, animal hair, cigarette smoke or physical activity can arouse it more easily.
This causes a series of chemical secretions that lead to constriction of the smooth muscle in the bronchi (the large breathing “tubes”), and the feeling of not being able to breath regularly.
The disease is known to be genetically associated, and it is very common that children diagnosed with asthma have first degree family relatives with the disease or relatives that often suffer from allergies.