Asthma
Asthma can be defined clinically as a condition of intermittent, reversible
constriction, due to a
hyperreactivity to certain substances producing
.
In an asthma attack the smooth muscles of the lungs go into with the surrounding tissue
inflammed and secreting mucus into the airways. Thus, the diameter of the airways is reduced causing the characteristic
wheezing as the person affected breathes harder to get air into the lungs. Attacks can vary in intensity and frequency.
Treatment for asthma includes the following drugs :
-
-
-
-
- modifiers
- Cromolyn and Nedocromil .
These two drugs are generally used to prevent an attack but are not so useful when treating
an attack.
They are relatively safe but expensive and need to be taken regularly, even when one is free of symptoms.
Asthma affects about 10 million Americans and seems to be on the increase (between 1982 and 1992 a 42% rise was
recorded). Asthma can be divided into two principal types:
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