In bronchial asthma, due to various causes, there is a hyperreactivity of the inner walls in the airways, the bronchi (hence: bronchial asthma or bronchial asthma). The consequences of this hyperreactivity are a cramping of the small muscles in the bronchial tubes (spasm) and a chronic inflammation. This leads to swelling of the mucous membrane (edema) and increased secretion of mucus (dyscrinia).
These three factors lead to a narrowing of the airways and are thus the causes of the typical symptoms of acute bronchial asthma: coughing and shortness of breath with difficulty especially when exhaling. The air remains “trapped”, there is overinflation of the lungs, fresh air can no longer flow in sufficiently. As a result, the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.
Asthma: causes unexplained
Exactly what causes the hypersensitivity of the bronchial tubes has not been definitively clarified. Quite a few risk factors are known; however, how these interact individually as causes to bring about bronchial asthma is still unknown. What is certain is that – as with other allergic diseases – genes can play a role in the causes of bronchial asthma: Thus, the predisposition (disposition) to develop an allergy is often inherited.
However, there must be additional factors that trigger bronchial asthma. For example, harmful environmental substances such as exhaust fumes, dust and especially cigarette smoke are suspected, but also excessive hygiene (which leads to the child’s immune system not being sufficiently trained).
Repeated respiratory infections, disturbances of the intestinal flora, vaccinations, early therapies with antibiotics, and psychological stress on the child and mother during pregnancy may also act as causes and triggers for asthma.
Asthma and bronchitis
Once bronchial asthma has developed, the inflammatory reactions in the bronchial tubes persist constantly. If various stimuli (triggers) such as bronchitis, pollen or medication are then added, depending on the form of asthma, these worsen the situation and trigger acute asthma attacks.
The transition from spastic bronchitis (a common condition in children) to infectious asthma is fluid. The difference between spastic bronchitis and infectious asthma is that in bronchitis the airways recover from inflammation between infections. In practice, this is often not easy to determine.
