b'AsthmaChapter hapterPeople with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When exposed to certain triggers their airways narrow, making it difficult for them to breathe.An asthma attack can occur rapidly within a few minutes or gradually develop over a few days.Asthma is a condition where the muscles of the small air passages in the lungs go into spasm and the lining of the air passages become narrowed and restricted causing breathing difficulty.The precise cause of asthma is unknown but there are known factors that can trigger an asthma attack. When stimulated by these triggers, the airways over react with abnormal inflammation that leads to muscle contraction, swelling and increased mucus secretion of the air passages. Normal airflow is interrupted by these factors, partically when breathing out which results in wheezing.Asthma can be well controlled by avoiding trigger factors and using asthma medicines.Triggers include:Colds and flu (respiratory infections). Cigarette smoke and emotional factors.Exercise, physical activity or pre-exercise warm ups. Allergic reaction to pollen, insect sting, dust, smog, food, medications, sprays, chemicals,preservatives and moulds.Exposure to sudden changes in the weather particularly cold and wet conditions. How to RecogniseStages of an Asthma AttackMild Moderate Severe Respiratory Failure Slight breathing Breathing Severe breathing Use of extra difficulty. difficulty at rest. difficulty. muscles to breathe. Wheezing.Use of extra Severe chest tightnessNo response toCough. muscles to breathe.Use of extra medication. Less air exchange. muscles to breathe.No wheezing. Wheezing.Absent or increasedPersistent cough. wheezing. Speaking in short Showing signs of sentences. shock.Medical Emergencies 177'