Types Of Asthma

Childhood asthma :

Asthma rates in children younger than five years old have increased more than 160% from 1980 to 1994. One study found a strong correlation between obesity and asthma, but no similar relationship between obesity and allergies. Researchers believe that asthma was the result of the increased physical exertion of the lungs in obese individuals.

Many children with asthma have what is known as allergic asthma. In such cases, exposure to allergens like dust mites, pollen, mold and animal dander may irritate the airways, causing even more constriction, as well as causing the production of excess mucus and inflammation of the airway passages.

Adult onset asthma :

Asthma symptoms may appear at any time in life. Individuals who develop asthma as adults have what is known as adult onset asthma. It is possible to develop asthma at the age of 50 or later.

Unlike children who usually experience intermittent symptoms, individuals with adult onset asthma are more likely to experience persistent symptoms.

The cause of adult onset asthma is unknown. However, some evidence suggests that allergy and asthma may be genetically inherited.

In addition, obesity appears to significantly increase the risk of developing asthma as an adult.

Pregnancy and asthma :

Asthma is one of the most common, potentially serious medical problems that occur during pregnancy. According to some studies, asthma may complicate up to seven percent of all pregnancies.

Researchers estimate that about one-third of pregnant women with asthma will experience increased symptoms during the pregnancy; another third will experience the same symptoms, while the last third will experience a lessening of symptoms.

Pregnant women with asthma have an increased risk of delivering prematurely or giving birth to an infant with low birth weight. In addition, pregnant women with asthma are more likely to experience hypertension (high blood pressure) or a related condition called pre-eclampsia (swelling, high blood pressure and kidney malfunction).

If asthma is not controlled, the mother has lower levels of oxygen in her blood. This may result in decreased oxygen in the fetal blood, which may also cause growth deficiencies or death in the fetus.

However, proper treatment and management of asthma symptoms helps reduce the risk of complications, according to research.

Aspirin-induced asthma :

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®), may cause asthma symptoms, nasal congestion, watery eyes and, occassionally, facial flushing and swelling in about 10% of asthmatics. Since sensitization and IgE production are not involved in aspirin-sensitive asthma, it is not considered an allergic reaction.

In the body, these drugs inhibit the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme, which produces inflammation and fever. Their ability to inhibit the enzyme allows NSAIDs to reduce pain, inflammation and fever.

Inhibiting the enzyme also allows NSAIDs to clear the way for different enzymes that have adverse effects in some people. One of these enzymes triggers the release of chemicals that can cause the airways to swell and increase mucus production, leading to an asthma attack. The process is an unwanted side effect NSAIDs, not an immune-system reaction to NSAIDs.

Asthmatics and especially asthmatics who also have nasal polyps, are vulnerable to asthma as a side effect of aspirin and aspirin-like drugs.