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General HealthDiseases and conditionsAsthma - all you need to know
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Asthma - all you need to know

by Dr Sarah Brewer
asthma inhaler     chest xray     children asthma

We all suffer from breathlessness from time to time, but some people have recurrent problems with shortness of breath and wheeziness - or asthma. The number of sufferers has at least doubled over the last 25 years, and research shows that asthma is becoming especially common in women - two out of three sufferers are female. We tell you what every woman needs to know



Symptoms
Asthma is a long-term, inflammatory disease of the lungs. During an attack, the irritated airways go into a spasm producing a cough, wheeze, chest tightness and shortness of breath, which, in severe cases, can be life-threatening. As the attack progresses, the lining of the airways swell and produce excess mucus which often result in further tightness and wheezing six to eight hours later. Symptoms can develop at any age but usually begin during the first few years of life. One in four children with asthma develop symptoms in their first year.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you or your child could have asthma:



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Created: 29/04/2004  Updated: 04/07/2007

This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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