Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disorder in which there is inflammation of the bronchial tubes with prominent eosinophil infiltration causing variable airflow obstruction. It affects the airways that carry air to and from the lungs.

Swelling and inflammation make the airways extremely sensitive to irritation and increase susceptibility to allergic reactions. As inflammation causes the airways to become narrower, less air can pass through them, both to and from the lungs.

The condition is clinically characterized by variable cough, chest tightness, and wheeze. Asthma occurs when the linings of the lung’s bronchial airways become inflamed or swollen, usually due to allergies, airborne irritants, or cold weather. These airways carry oxygen to the blood, and the severity of an attack can be fatal.

Physiologically, asthma involves a complex cascade of conditions and interactions that lead to acute airflow obstruction, increased mucus production, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and airway inflammation. These interactions can vary depending on the individual and can change in severity within the same individual due to internal and external factors. These physiological interactions cause wheezing and breathing difficulties associated with asthma.

“The clinical characteristics of asthma are defined as the occurrence of symptoms and the presence of airway obstruction, inflammation, and hyper-responsiveness.”

Causes of Asthma

According to the etiology, bronchial asthma is divided into the following groups:

• Allergic (extrinsic/atopic) Asthma: This type usually starts in childhood and is often preceded by eczema. Genetic factors play a significant role. Allergens lead to excessive production of (IgE) immunoglobulins.
• Infective or Intrinsic Asthma: This type is not hereditary or allergic but may be caused by or associated with upper respiratory tract or bronchial infections, usually viral.
• Emotional Asthma: Psychological factors such as anxiety and emotional stress are often considered contributing factors to some asthmatic attacks.
• Occupational Asthma: Exposure to certain substances in industries, such as metallic dust, biological detergents, and flour, can trigger asthma.

Whatever the cause, it leads to paroxysms of bronchial obstruction produced by widespread bronchial spasm and exacerbated by excessive mucus plugging.

Symptoms of Asthma

The main symptoms of asthma include:

• Difficult breathing (dyspnoea), causing shortness of breath and chest tightness due to narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles.
• Wheezing due to decreased size of the bronchi.
• Severe coughing, especially at night or early in the morning.
• Bronchial secretions, resulting in coughing up mucus and phlegm.

Symptoms of asthma can be summarized as:

• Cough
• Wheeze
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Rapid pulse
• Cyanosis
• Shallow breathing
• Feeling of suffocation
• Restlessness
• Drowsiness
• Sneezing
• Anxiety
• Perspiration
• Cold extremities
• Short inspiration, prolonged expiration

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a group of symptoms—including abdominal pain and changes in the pattern of bowel movements—without any evidence of underlying damage. It has been classified depending on whether diarrhea, constipation, or both are common.

Disorders such as anxiety, major depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome are common among people with IBS. IBS is considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder.

Symptoms may also include weight loss and blood in the stool. The primary symptoms of IBS are:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Frequent changes in bowel movements
• Urgency for bowel movements
• A feeling of incomplete evacuation (tenesmus)
• Bloating or abdominal distension

One of the symptoms of IBS is the presence of mucus—a yellowish-white color, sometimes clear—in the stool.

Associated Symptoms

People with IBS may also experience:

• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Nausea
• Symptoms related to the genitourinary system
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Headache
• Backache
• Psychiatric symptoms such as depression and anxiety
• Mineral deficiency and anemia

Stress Relief for IBS

Reducing stress may reduce the frequency and severity of IBS symptoms. Techniques that may be helpful include:

• Relaxation techniques such as meditation
• Physical activities such as yoga
• Regular exercise such as swimming, walking, or running