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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1996
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The (1996)(Epic Marketing)[non-bootable].iso
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asthma
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1992-09-02
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31 lines
Asthma is a chronic condition characterized
by difficulty in breathing due to spasm of
the bronchi (air passages) in the lungs.
Attacks may be provoked by allergy,
infection, and stress. The incidence of
asthma may be increasing as a result of air
pollution and occupational hazard. Treatment
is possible with the use of bronchodilators,
which relax the bronchial muscles and thereby
ease the breathing. Extrinsic asthma, which
is triggered by exposure to irritants, such
as pollen and dust, is more common in
children and young adults. Less common,
intrinsic asthma tends to start in the middle
years. Growing evidence that the immune
system is involved in both forms of asthma
has raised the possibility of a new approach
to treatment. Although the symptoms are
similar to those of bronchial asthma, cardiac
asthma is an unrelated condition and is a
symptom of heart deterioration. Asthma
affects more than two million people in the
UK, and causes around 2,000 deaths per year.
Asthmatics may monitor their own status by
use of a peak-flow meter, a device that
measures how rapidly air is breathed out.
Peak-flow meters are available on
prescription in the UK.
Subject by: Vince Pike