Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. People who have asthma have acute episodes when the air passages in their lungs get narrower, and breathing becomes more difficult. This narrowing can be due to mucus in the airway, to swelling of the lining of the airway, or to a spasm in the walls of the airway. The bronchial tubes are hypersensitive. When they are temporarily blocked by mucus, breathing becomes difficult. During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten, the linings of the airways become inflamed and the glands produce an overabundance of think mucus. This further narrowing the airway passages. Any asthmatic will have difficulty breathing, especially when exhaling carbon dioxide. The lips will turn blue and the chest will become over inflated with depressed rib spaces. The asthmatics pulse becomes higher than normal. During an asthma attack the muscles around the airways tighten,

Symptoms could last from anywhere to days, weeks, to months. There are many lung and heart disorders that may have similar symptoms. A doctor has to make an accurate diagnosis of the nature of the disease. The doctor takes a complete history of the patient, physical examination, necessary lab tests, and x-rays. Attacks of bronchial asthma will occur more frequently if not treated properly.

the linings of the airways become inflamed and swollen. The glands produce an overabundance of thick mucus, further narrowing the airway passages. This indicates that the body has less oxygen available and that the carbon dioxide has built up to dangerous levels. Once a person's asthma attack is triggered by some type of substance or condition, the airways in the lungs become sensitive to other triggers that result in chronic asthma (Cutler 1998). Between episodes of bronchial asthma, a person may appear completely normal (Adams 1995).

Another type of test, is called a spirometry pulmonary function test (PAT). This measures air flow characteristics (air speed and volume). The individual can breathe passively or forcefully through a tube connected to a calibrated measured instrument. This test can indicate whether or not a person has a restricted or obstructed lung disease. A restrictive lung disease process is something that basically causes a reduction in lung volume and expansion. On the other hand, obstructive disease process causes a reduction in lung airflow. People that do not smoke have asthma or bronchitis should be able to blow out at least 75 to 80% or more of their air within the first second of a forced exhalation. If its less than 70 to 80% than it is an indication of an obstructive lung pattern or disease. This test is usually performed before or after taking a bronchodilator treatment (AOL 1997).

A metered-dosed inhalers (MDIs) are just as effective and more economical than using a wet nebulizer. A spacer device can be used with an MDI to ensure that the person is getting the right medication. An MDI is usually worthless without the use of a spacer device. Some patients either take too little or too much of the prescribed number of puffs. The spacer device enables the person to inhale more of the drug into their lungs (AOL 1997).

A different type of pulmonary function test is called a flow volume loop. This test shows that two-dimensional tracing of both inspiratory and expiratory flow and volume plotted on a grid (AOL 1997).

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects a person's airways. It is caused by environmental and genetic factors. Each year better treatments are available for asthmatics. A person can live a normal life with the proper treatment and some environmental changes. Hopefully one day, there will be a cure for asthma.

There are many different types of asthma. There is exercise-induced asthma, pollen asthma, chronic asthma, bronchial infections, allergy induced, adu

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