Asthma is the most common of all medical conditions that is rarer in the older population but common in children. The severity is often not recognised and approximately 2,000 people a year dying from this condition in the UK. Asthma can present as mild/moderate, severe, life-threatening and near fatal. Asthma is caused by a chronic inflammation of the bronchi, making them narrower. The muscles around the bronchi become irritated and contract, causing sudden worsening of the symptoms.
There are three processes taking place and they are:
- Increased production of bronchial mucus
- Swelling of the bronchial tubes
- Spasm and constriction of the bronchial muscles
