Types of asthma

There are different classifications of asthma. In terms of origin can be divided into intrinsic and extrinsic asthma asthma or allergic. The origin of intrinsic asthma is unknown and is detected more frequently in adulthood. Has a worse prognosis than allergic in nature and tends to become chronic. Extrinsic asthma, meanwhile, is an antigen-antibody reaction that triggers the process. It mainly affects children and young adults, is characterized by brief attacks and reversible bronchospasm with wheezing and shortness of breath, and controlled with proper treatment.
The allergy is a disorder of the body's defense mechanism consisting of an exaggerated reaction by means of a special antibody (immunoglobulin E), to substances that, in principle, are not harmful (pollens, mites, dander, food or drugs) . When these antibodies, which are fixed in certain cells, bind to the allergen, it causes the release of certain substances that, directly or through other cells, causing inflammation of the organ where they settle (bronchi, nose, eyes or skin ). There is an inherited predisposition to suffer from allergies, but exposure to allergens is needed to develop the disease.
Asthma can also be classified as mild, moderate or severe, depending on the frequency and intensity of symptoms, the way it affects the daily activity and the degree of bronchial obstruction. Mild asthma can be controlled by drug treatment and usually does not affect the daily lives of the sick, the treatment requires moderate asthma more severe and interferes with daily activities of patients, and severe asthma requires continuous control and can endanger the lives of people who suffer.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that inflames and narrows the airways. (Chronic diseases are diseases that last a long time). Asthma causes repeated periods of wheezing (wheezing), chest tightness, shortness of breath and cough . The cough often occurs at night or early morning hours.
Asthma affects people of all ages but usually begins in childhood. In the United States more than 22 million people have asthma. Nearly 6 million of these people are children.

General review

The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. People with asthma have inflamed airways. This makes the airways are swollen and very sensitive, and tend to react strongly to certain substances that are inhaled.
When the airways react, the muscles around them tighten. This makes the narrow and less air reaches the lungs. Swelling may also worsen and narrow the airways even more. The cells of these pathways may produce more mucus than normal. Mucus is a thick, sticky liquid that can further narrow the airways.
This chain reaction can cause symptoms of asthma. Whenever the airways become inflamed symptoms may occur.

Asthma

Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. Figure B shows a cross section of a normal airway. Figure C shows a cross section of an airway during asthma symptoms.

Sometimes the symptoms are mild and disappear spontaneously or after minimal treatment with a medicine for asthma. Other times continue to worsen.
When symptoms become more intense or more symptoms, are said to be an asthma attack. Asthma attacks are also called crisis or exacerbations.
It is important to treat the symptoms as they arise. This prevents them from getting worse and cause a severe asthma attack. Severe asthma attacks may require emergency care and can be fatal.

Prospects

Asthma has no cure. Even if you feel well, you still have the disease and may worsen at any time.
However, due to knowledge and treatments we have today, most people with asthma can control the disease. They may have few symptoms or not have them. They can live a normal, active life, and sleep through the night without interruptions caused by asthma.
You can participate actively in control of their asthma. For successful treatment, complete and consistent, form a solid team with your doctor and other health caregivers.

Famous asthmatic athletes

Did you know that many sports celebrities living with this disease, which is not prevented from carrying out highly competitive sports? ...
Some of them are:
David Beckham (England)
Footballer Champion of England Premier League Cup, Champions League, Spanish League Champion.
Paul Scholes (England)
England football team, global 1998, 2002, Euro 2000 and 2004.
Dennis Rodman (USA)
basketball player in the NBA.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee (USA)
Runner Athletics.
Six-time gold medalalla Olympic Games.
Tom Dolan (USA)
swimmer.
World Record 400 meters and Olympic gold medalist.
Miguel Indurain (Spain)
Cycling.
Five-time winner of Tour de France, World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist.
Jose Luis Gonzalez (Spain)
Athletics Corridor.
World record of 1500 m indoor.
Kurt Grote (USA)
swimmer.
Olympic gold medalist in 1996
Bruce Davidson (USA)
Horse
Gold and Silver Medalist Olmipico.
Nancy Hogshead (USA)
swimmer.
Three times Olympic gold medalist.
Bill Koch (USA)
cross-country skier
olympic medalist.
Jim (Catfish) Hunter (USA)
baseball player.
Züelle Alex (Switzerland)
Cycling
Winner of Tour of Spain