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CAN IT BE ASTHMA - What is Asthma? |
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| If you have asthma you
may be surprised that it is so different from other members of your family
or friends who also have asthma. The way in which asthma varies has made
it difficult for scientists and other members of the medical profession
to agree on one single definition. For many years people believed asthma was 'all in the mind'. Although it can be aggravated by emotions, asthma is most definitely a physical condition. Three changes happen in the airways of the lungs: the root of the problem seems to be inflammation, or swelling of the lining of the airways which makes them twitchy, and irritable; the muscles in the airway walls tighten and excess of a substance called mucus is produced, which is often coughed up. These changes cause the main symptoms of asthma: coughing, wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness. The exact cause of asthma is unknown, you do not have to have anyone else in your family to develop it and it can come on at any age. Asthma is variable in nature; this means that symptoms can come and go with time over minutes, days, months or even years. You can obtain more detailed information by going to the commonly asked questions page below.  Is
asthma all in the mind? Can
I have asthma if no one else in my family has it?Is
it only children who develop asthma?I
only cough; how can this be asthma?My
doctor says that asthma is very variable; what does this mean? |
Topic "Can it be Asthma?" Updated 14th August 2003
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Asthma
Assistant Self Management
Web Site - www.asthmaassistant.com
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