THE DISABLING DISEASES: ASTHMA
Asthma, technically called bronchial asthma, is a disease of the bronchial tubes that lead from the windpipe, or trachea, into the lungs. The bronchial tubes ordinarily do not furnish any marked resistance to the entrance or exit of air. However, in asthmatic attacks, the bronchial tubes tend to close down, causing asthmatic wheezing. If the, attack is severe, the sufferer seems almost to be suffocating. He apparently uses all his strength just trying to breathe. He becomes pale and bluish and often perspires. This spasm of the bronchial tubes can usually be relieved quickly by an injection of adrenaline. Fortunately, most attacks are mild and do not last long. Many of them can be prevented or stopped by medical treatment.
Bronchial asthma is a chronic illness marked by these attacks. In severe cases, the bronchial tubes become swollen and offer greater resistance to treatment. Plugs of clinging mucus may form in the tubes and cause chronic irritation and coughing. They are dislodged and brought up as sputum. If the attacks are frequent, prolonged, and severe, the lung tissue is damaged. This puts a strain on the heart.
The average case of asthma is mild and is more of a recurrent nuisance than a threat to health. It is always essential to get and follow competent medical advice, especially in the cases of young persons, before asthma can damage the heart or lungs.
Allergies. One type of bronchial asthma is definitely allergic. An individual may have hay fever and asthma simultaneously during the spring or may at this time experience attacks of asthma only. Other allergens may be responsible, including the scurf from animal fur and feathers, face powder, or certain foods.
Infections. Many cases of bronchial asthma are associated with bacterial infections, especially of the sinuses, throat, and nose. Sometimes these improve very markedly when the infection clears up. Nervous tension. Some cases of bronchial asthma appear to be due to nervous tension and often improve tremendously when the person’s emotional problems are solved with the help of a doctor who understands the person’s emotional as well as physical condition. In some instances, this requires a psychiatrist.
Even cases of asthma that have a physical cause are apt to become worse if the person is emotionally disturbed or tense. For this reason, we usually include asthma among the psychosomatic diseases.
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