by V. Kumar

Created on: January 31, 2009   Last Updated: April 21, 2009

Allergies result largely from the hypersensitivity of our body to certain external substance that it comes in contact with, and its over-reaction to such contact, which, when it happens in the airways through which we breathe, leads to the swelling and obstruction of the airways, thereby producing cough and difficulty in breathing - the main symptoms of asthma. One can be allergic to any substance, but most of the times, it is either some sort of protein- as part of dust within the house or pollen in the garden or the wild, or some chemical that is part of some detergent, cleaning agent or polish.

Asthma consists of an abnormal contraction of our respiratory airways, which may be a result of an abnormal control mechanism or allergy. Beginning from the nose and mouth, our wind-pipe, also called "trachea", gets divided into two branches, called "bronchi", each one of which get divided into a network of smaller "bronchioles" which end in the lung. In asthma, there is contraction of these smaller airways or bronchioles that result in the feeling of suffocation, and cough.

Asthma is not one single disease resulting from one single cause, as happens in case of Influenza or Malaria. It can result from many different factors that cause hypersensitivity of these airways or bronchioles. These airways are lined by a layer of mucosa which normally secrets a thin layer of mucus to keep the airways clean and trap any small particles. In case of Asthma, the hypersensitivity of this mucosa leads to excess secretion of mucus, which along with the contracting airways leads to narrowing of airways and suffocation.

One of the reasons for hypersensitivity of airways or bronchioles and its mucosa is the allergy to some outside material, like dust or pollen. So when a person is exposed to a substance to which he is allergic, there is cough and suffocation that result in an asthmatic attack. Often such persons are allergic to many substances and can develop asthmatic attacks frequently in response to many different substances.

Sometimes, the original cause of asthma is something else, but the allergic reaction of the body to some substance suddenly worsens the situation and leads to asthmatic attack.

Those with asthma need to be careful when it comes to dust and gardens. It may sometimes be helpful if one is able to find the cause of allergy that precipitates asthma. In any case, asthmatic patients should always keep their medicines handy, and always remember their physician's instructions in this regard. Asthma is something that is difficult to cure. However, with adequate precautions, it should be possible to lead a reasonably normal life in spite of it.

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