Hcs 245 Cultural and Disease Paper - Asthma

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Disease of the Respiratory System

A Focus on Asthma

HCS/245

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Disease of the Respiratory System: A Focus on Asthma

The Respiratory system is one of the most essential components of the body for Homo

sapiens to exist in a living world. This system is designed to obtain oxygen, deliver the oxygen

to the lungs, exchange the oxygen with carbon dioxide in the alveoli, and exhale the carbon

dioxide from the body. A complexity of automated mechanical and chemical actions throughout

the respiratory system serve as the life support for every human. Any defects or diseases of the

respiratory system may result in devastating complications for an individual and untimely could

reduce the lifespan of ones life.

One of the most common chronic respiratory conditions that affect the human species is

asthma. The word asthma derives from a Greek origin and translates as breathlessness or panting

(Zelman, et al., 2010, p. 171). According to the World Health Organization, asthma is a chronic

disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity

and frequency from person to person (WHO, 2011). Primarily, asthma is a bronchial disease

where the linings of the bronchial tubes swell. It causes the airways to narrow and limits the

flow of air in and out of the lungs.

The World Health Organization further reports that about 235 million people currently

suffer from asthma and is the most common chronic disease among children. Very few deaths

occur as a direct result of asthma; however in low and lower to middle income countries, asthmarelated deaths are much higher than in countries categorized as financially stable and more

developed. (WHO, 2011). Asthma can be controlled with medication along with avoiding

interaction with what may trigger an attack for an individual.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states most cases of asthma have no

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known cure and often is...