Asthma is a narrowing of the airways in the lungs brought on by hypersensitivity to certain stimuli. When these stimuli enter the lungs they cause the muscles in the airway to spasm, interfering with the airway.

Asthma has become more prevalent over the last twenty years. Children tend to be especially susceptible. This increase in asthma may be due in part to deteriorating air quality.

An asthma attack may be caused by anything from inhalation of dust to exercise in a cold climate. The attack may be a relatively minor annoyance lasting only a few minutes or it may cause a life threatening narrowing of the airways preventing the victim from inhaling at all.

Many asthma sufferers require perpetual use of specialty asthma medications to keep their condition in check. Additionally, emergency inhalers are used to stop asthma attacks after they begin. An asthmatic that suffers a severe attack and who does not have access to an emergency inhaler or other medical attention may die due to lack of oxygen.

See Also

  1. Lung & Airway Disorders
  2. Advair Diskus
  3. Aluminum
  4. Beta-Blockers: Overview
  5. Children's Motrin
  6. Cigarettes & Tobacco
  7. Formaldehyde Exposure: Overview
  8. Geneva Steel - Vineyard, Utah
  9. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  10. Lipari Landfill: Overview
  11. Nickel
  12. Organophosphate
  13. Popcorn Plant Workers
  14. Proventil / Warrick's albuterol: Overview
  15. School Buses & Commercial Lines
  16. Serevent / Salmeterol Xinafoate
  17. Sick Building Syndrome
  18. Toxic Mold
  19. Vieques Island, Puerto Rico: Overview
  20. Wingate Landfill - Fort Lauderdale
  Name Size