Asthma in adults
Some common triggers for asthma
Most people with asthma get symptoms when their
immune system overreacts to things in the air.
1 These things are called allergens.
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
The most common allergens are:
- House dust mites
- Pollen
- Flakes of skin or hair from animals (dander).
When you breathe in an allergen, your body thinks the allergen is dangerous. Your immune system overreacts. It pumps lots of chemicals into your blood. These chemicals make the airways swollen and inflamed. The muscles in the airways
also tighten, the air passages get narrower, and you have trouble breathing. It all happens very quickly.
About 30 in 100 to 50 in 100 people with asthma get these symptoms again six hours to 10 hours after they breathe in an allergen.
This is called a late reaction.
1
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
Breathing in tobacco smoke can cause asthma.
2 And if you already have asthma, smoke can trigger the symptoms (give you an asthma attack).
Source:
Eisner MD.
Environmental tobacco smoke and adult asthma.
Clinics in Chest Medicine. 2002; 23: 749-761.
Eisner MD.
Environmental tobacco smoke and adult asthma.
Clinics in Chest Medicine. 2002; 23: 749-761.
Tobacco smoke contains many different chemicals. Some of these chemicals can make the tubes in your lungs swollen or narrower.
Some people get asthma symptoms when they go into a smoky room.
Air pollution probably doesn't cause asthma. But it can make your symptoms worse. These are some of the chemicals that can
cause asthma symptoms:
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
- Ozone
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Some people get an asthma attack when they breathe in cold air.
3 This may happen when you leave your home and go outside.
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Asthma: Diseases of the respiratory system.
In: Braunwald E, Hauser SL, Fauci AS, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine, volume 2. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 2001.
McFadden ER Jr.
Asthma: Diseases of the respiratory system.
In: Braunwald E, Hauser SL, Fauci AS, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine, volume 2. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 2001.
Many people with asthma find that their symptoms are worse when they exercise. Doctors call this exercise-induced asthma.
It's more likely to happen if you exercise in cold and windy conditions.
1
4 So you're more likely to get symptoms if you're skiing or ice skating than if you're swimming in a heated pool. Some people
get symptoms when they leave their home on a cold day.
1
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
Source:
Lemanske RF Jr, Busse WW.
Asthma.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003; 111: 502-519.
Lemanske RF Jr, Busse WW.
Asthma.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003; 111: 502-519.
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
Your symptoms will probably be most severe five minutes to 10 minutes after starting exercise. They usually clear up within
15 minutes to 30 minutes of stopping exercise.
Some people can "run through" their symptoms. As they continue to exercise, their symptoms slowly go away.
4 And if you use your quick-relief inhaler before you start exercising, it may keep you from getting symptoms.
Source:
Lemanske RF Jr, Busse WW.
Asthma.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003; 111: 502-519.
Lemanske RF Jr, Busse WW.
Asthma.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003; 111: 502-519.
About 1 in 10 people with asthma are allergic to aspirin and other
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
1 There are many different NSAIDs. They are painkillers and they can help with
inflammation. And if you're allergic to these drugs, there's also a 1 in 10 chance that you'll get asthma symptoms when you eat food or
drinks that contain a food coloring called tartrazine.
NSAIDs
NSAID stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs help with pain, inflammation and fever. They are called 'nonsteroidal' because they don't contain any steroids. Aspirin and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs.
NSAID stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs help with pain, inflammation and fever. They are called 'nonsteroidal' because they don't contain any steroids. Aspirin and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs.
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
inflammation
If your skin or some other part of your body becomes red, swollen, hot or sore, we say it is inflamed. It means that your body is trying to protect you from germs, from something in your body tissues that can hurt you (like a thorn or sliver), or from things that cause allergies (allergens). Inflammation is part of the way the body heals an infection or injury.
If your skin or some other part of your body becomes red, swollen, hot or sore, we say it is inflamed. It means that your body is trying to protect you from germs, from something in your body tissues that can hurt you (like a thorn or sliver), or from things that cause allergies (allergens). Inflammation is part of the way the body heals an infection or injury.
If you have asthma, you should not take beta-blockers. These drugs can bring on your symptoms. And your asthma medications may not work so well.
There are many different beta-blockers. Atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal) are examples. Many people take beta-blockers as a treatment for
high blood pressure and other conditions. To learn more, see Beta-blockers in our section on high blood pressure.
high blood pressure
Your blood pressure is considered to be high when it is above the accepted normal range. The usual limit for normal blood pressure is 140/90. If either the first (systolic) number is above 140 or the lower (diastolic) number is above 90, a person is considered to have high blood pressure. Doctors sometimes call high blood pressure "hypertension."
Your blood pressure is considered to be high when it is above the accepted normal range. The usual limit for normal blood pressure is 140/90. If either the first (systolic) number is above 140 or the lower (diastolic) number is above 90, a person is considered to have high blood pressure. Doctors sometimes call high blood pressure "hypertension."
Some eye drops used for treating a condition called
glaucoma also contain beta-blockers. You shouldn't use such eye drops if you have asthma.
glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that affects your eyes. If you have glaucoma, your vision slowly gets worse. It happens when certain nerves in your head get damaged. These nerves carry images of what you see to your brain. Glaucoma is often caused by high pressure inside your eye.
Glaucoma is a condition that affects your eyes. If you have glaucoma, your vision slowly gets worse. It happens when certain nerves in your head get damaged. These nerves carry images of what you see to your brain. Glaucoma is often caused by high pressure inside your eye.
Chemicals used in industry or agriculture can trigger asthma symptoms in some people.
1
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
Common examples are:
- Chemicals that contain platinum, chrome or nickel
- Dust from trees or plants, including oak, Western red cedar, grain, flour and castor bean
- Some paints, solvents and dyes
-
enzymes
Enzymes are chemicals in your body. They have lots of different functions, including playing a part in helping to digest food and starting other chemical reactions that keep the body working.Enzymes - Dust or hair from animals or insects.
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Asthma: Diseases of the respiratory system.
In: Braunwald E, Hauser SL, Fauci AS, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine, volume 2. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 2001.
McFadden ER Jr.
Asthma: Diseases of the respiratory system.
In: Braunwald E, Hauser SL, Fauci AS, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine, volume 2. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 2001.
If you get hay fever (also called seasonal or intermittent rhinitis), you should treat the symptoms because they can make your asthma more difficult
to control.
Hay fever usually happens during the spring, summer and autumn. But some people get a type of hay fever throughout the year.
This condition is called perennial or persistent rhinitis. Like hay fever, it makes your asthma harder to control.
Some doctors think that children who live in very clean homes are more likely to get asthma. This is because they don't get
many colds and other infections. The idea is that getting colds and other infections keeps the immune system busy. If your
immune system isn't kept busy, it may overreact to harmless things, such as pollen. This may cause asthma. This is called
the hygiene hypothesis.
Many people with asthma find that their symptoms get worse if they are worried or upset about something.
1
Source:
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
McFadden ER Jr.
Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.
In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
Some people are more affected by stress than others.
Sources for the information on this page:
- McFadden ER Jr.Diseases of the respiratory system: asthma.In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 1998.
- Eisner MD.Environmental tobacco smoke and adult asthma.Clinics in Chest Medicine. 2002; 23: 749-761.
- McFadden ER Jr.Asthma: Diseases of the respiratory system.In: Braunwald E, Hauser SL, Fauci AS, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine, volume 2. 15th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, U.S.A.; 2001.
- Lemanske RF Jr, Busse WW.Asthma.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003; 111: 502-519.
This information was last updated on Mar 06, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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