ASTHMA: The image shows a normal lumen of the bronchus and an inflamed lumen containing mucus, in case of bronchial asthma.

The image shows asthma diagram as a healthy and unhealthy bronchial tube with a constricted breathing problem caused by respiratory muscle tightening with 3D illustration elements.

The pathophysiology of asthma is complex and involves airway inflammation, intermittent airflow obstruction, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Airway hyperresponsiveness or bronchial hyperreactivity is an exaggerated response to numerous exogenous and endogenous stimuli in asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that is characterized by narrowing of the airways bronchospasm and coughing.

Asthma may cause difficulty in breathing, chest pain, coughing and wheezing. The symptoms may sometimes flare up during crisis time. Inflammation, increased mucus, and muscle tightening cause the airways to become narrow, which causes the air to not move through properly.

Dust mites are small creatures that live in the dust that builds up around the house, such as in carpets, bedding, furnishings and toys. These are too small to see. it's the droppings of these house dust mites which cause the problems.

Flowering of trees is dangerous for asthmatics. Deciduous plants which release pollen from small flowers are also in this category.

For most people pollen is not harmful. But if you have an allergy to pollen such as when you have asthma, your immune system overeacts and produces histamine. It's this histamine that causes nose irritation, and problems in eyes and throat.

Inhaled corticosteroids are the standard treatment, and widely considered the most effective type of medicine to prevent asthma attacks. Some inhaled asthma medications contain both a corticosteroid and a bronchodilator.

In asthma, there is an inflammation of air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. This causes symptoms of ashtma attacks.

Family history is an important asthma risk factor. If you have a parent with asthma, you are three to six times more likely to develop the disease than someone who does not have a parent with it.  Respiratory problems and certain allergies can also increase the risk.

Many plants are associated with triggering asthma and hay fever symptoms in some people. Generally, wind-pollinated plants tend to be more problematic than plants pollinated by insects or birds. These are lighter and more likely to be inhaled through air.