Asthma
is a serious disease that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and
geographic locations. Although each person may have different symptoms,
the definition of asthma is quite specific. Read on for a brief
introduction.
Asthma is a chronic
inflammatory disorder of the lungs, characterized by wheezing,
breathlessness, chest tightness, and cough, which is estimated to affect
more than 100 million people worldwide. It is sometimes a severe and
potentially fatal disease, to which no country is immune. Despite efforts
to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with asthma, the disease
appears to be on the rise, especially among children. Asthma is a serious
condition that may have a significant impact on a person’s quality of
life, and may result in asthma-related absences from school or work, as
well as unscheduled visits to the physician or hospital. Although there is
no cure for asthma, it is a disease that can be managed, enabling most
people to lead productive and active lives.
Chronic inflammation of the
airways is an underlying component of asthma. It is associated with the
airways being overly sensitive to a variety of stimuli, which may cause
recurrent attack.
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