To understand asthma, it helps to know how the airways work. The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed airways. The inflammation makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. The airways tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances. Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood.

1. Tbilisi State Medical University
Asthma
Stud. Dimitry Gagua

2. Overview
Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra
mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and
shortness of breath.
For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem
that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
Asthma can't be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often
changes over time, it's important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and
symptoms and adjust treatment as needed

3. Symptoms I
Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have infrequent
asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times — such as when
exercising — or have symptoms all the time.
Asthma signs and symptoms include:
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness or pain
Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common
sign of asthma in children)
Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus,
such as a cold or the flu
Signs that your asthma is probably worsening include:
Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome
Increasing difficulty breathing (measurable with a peak flow meter, a
device used to check how well your lungs are working)
The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often.

4. Symptoms II
For some people, asthma signs and symptoms flare up in certain situations:
Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry
Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases
or dust
Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by airborne substances, such as pollen, mold
spores, cockroach waste or particles of skin and dried saliva shed by pets (pet dander)

5. Treatment
The right medications for you depend on a number of things — your age, symptoms,
asthma triggers and what works best to keep your asthma under control.
Preventive, long-term control medications reduce the inflammation in your airways that
leads to symptoms. Quick-relief inhalers (bronchodilators) quickly open swollen airways
that are limiting breathing. In some cases, allergy medications are necessary.
Long-term asthma control medications:
•Inhaled corticosteroids
•Leukotrine modifiers
•Long-term beta agonists
•Combination inhales
•Theophylline
Prevention and long-term control are key in stopping asthma attacks before they
start. Treatment usually involves learning to recognize your triggers, taking steps to
avoid them and tracking your breathing to make sure your daily asthma medications
are keeping symptoms under control. In case of an asthma flare-up, you may need
to use a quick-relief inhaler, such as albuterol.

6. Internationale epidemiology
The prevalence of asthma varies widely in different regions of the world due to distinct
genetic, environmental and occupational risk factors. However, this disparity appears to
be closing as the prevalence in high-income countries is reaching a plateau whereas
the prevalence in low and middle-income countries continues to rise.
Worldwide, it is estimated that approximately 334 million people currently suffer from
asthma, and 250,000 deaths are attributed to the disease each year. The prevalence of
the disease is continuing to grow, and the overall prevalence is estimated to increase by
100 million by 2025.

7. Risk factors
Some individuals are predisposed to developing asthma with a strong family history of
the disease. Exposure to inhaled substances and particles that provoke an irritation or
allergic reaction in the airways is a significant risk factor for the disease. Irritants may
include dust, pollen, mould, smoke, chemical or pollution.
Other triggers that can promote the presentation of asthma symptoms include cold air,
anger, fear and physical exercise. Additionally, some medications such as non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta blockers can trigger symptoms.

8. When see a doctor
Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor to determine
what to do when your signs and symptoms worsen — and when you need emergency
treatment. Signs of an asthma emergency include:
•Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
•No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler, such as albuterol
•Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity

9. The end!
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29.05.2018