Answer :
Final answer:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. It is caused by airway inflammation, narrowing, and mucus production, often triggered by allergens or air pollution. While it cannot be cured, asthma can be managed with medications and avoiding triggers.
Explanation:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways within the lungs. People affected by asthma experience periodic inflammation that causes swelling and narrowing of the airways, often accompanied by excessive mucus production. These changes result in difficulty breathing and can lead to symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. These symptoms are particularly prevalent in the morning and night.
Asthma's characteristics include bronchial inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness and obstruction, and increased mucus secretion. Major risk factors and triggers for asthma attacks include allergens, air pollution, respiratory infections, exercise, and stress, among others. While asthma is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, it is not contagious. Control measures typically involve the use of medication and avoiding known triggers. It is notably more prevalent in developed countries and has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.
Individuals with asthma can lead active lives if they effectively manage their condition with medication and by minimizing exposure to environmental triggers, such as smoke, cold air, and allergens. Despite the challenges it poses, asthma can be regulated to allow those affected to maintain a high quality of life.
