Asth­ma

The causes of bronchial asthma are divided into two large groups: Allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma.

Allergic bronchial asthma
Allergic bronchial asthma is an allergic reaction to certain substances in the environment (allergens) that are not normally harmful. These allergens include, for example

Pollen, animal hair and bird feathers as well as house dust mites or mould spores.
Certain foods can also trigger allergic bronchial asthma; other symptoms such as itching in the mouth, runny nose, conjunctival irritation and/or urticaria usually also occur.

The hypersensitivity of the airways in allergic asthma is hereditary. If one parent suffers from allergies, 30 to 40 per cent of the children are also affected. If both parents are allergic, their children have a 60 to 80 per cent risk of also developing allergies.

Non-allergic asthma
Non-allergic asthma is caused by other stimuli and usually begins after the age of 40. The paranasal sinuses are typically chronically inflamed in this form of asthma. Severe forms are often found.

Symptoms: wheezing, life-threatening breathlessness
Bronchial asthma typically manifests itself with asthma attacks following contact with an allergen or irritant. If there are only a few minutes between contact and an attack, specialists speak of an immediate-type reaction. If several hours pass before the affected person has asthmatic symptoms, this is considered a delayed reaction.

The hypersensitive reaction of the airways is caused by a combination of thick mucus, constriction of the airways and spasm of the respiratory muscles. This causes attacks with the following possible characteristics:

Sudden, severe shortness of breath with a whistling sound when exhaling
Tightness in the chest and fear of suffocation
Acceleration of breathing and heart rate
Persistent cough with viscous sputum
Bluish lips and face due to lack of oxygen and cold sweat
An asthma attack can last for seconds or several hours.