What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term respiratory system disease characterized by attacks of narrowing airways. The so-called ‘bronchi’ conducting oxygen into the lungs become inflamed and edematous which lead to narrowing. Inspiration (getting the air into the lungs) and expiration (expelling air out of the lungs) become difficult and symptoms of disease occur. ¹ 

• Symptoms of disease may worsen due especially to environmental factors and may relieve mostly by treatment or spontaneously. 
• Although asthma occurs rather during childhood and adolescence, it can be seen at any age.^2,3

Airways of healthy subjects and asthma patients

In a healthy subject;

• Inspired air is conducted to alveoli via larynx, trachea (the windpipe) and bronchi. 
• Oxygen arriving to lung pass into blood vessels and transported to all organs, whereas carbon dioxide within the blood vessels is excreted from same airways. 

In asthma patients;

• The bronchi narrow due to increased secretions and edema in the airways under the effects of environmental factors.
• Narrowed bronchi reduce airflow into the lungs and breathing becomes difficult and asthma symptoms occur.^3,4

1.http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/what-is-asthma
2.http://www.toraks.org.tr/uploadFiles/book/file/4102011173155-TANIM-VE-EPIDEMIYOLOJI.pdf
3.http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/asthma/naci/asthma-info/index.htm
4.http://www.patient.co.uk/health/asthma-leaflet

Prevalence of asthma

Asthma is considered to affect almost 300 million people all over the world and around 3.5 million people in our country.

Reference:http://www.toraks.org.tr/uploadFiles/book/file/4102011173155-TANIM-VE-EPIDEMIYOLOJI.pdf