Your Asthma Doesn’t Go Away when Your Symptoms Do1
What you should know about inflammation in the airways of your lungs.
Imagine trying to drive through a tunnel that was just too narrow for your vehicle.
That what it’s like for air trying to pass through the airways of your lungs during an acute asthma attack.
But even when the attack is over, the airways don’t return to normal. This is because of inflammation. The inflammation in the airways of people with asthma is unlike other common forms of inflammation.
| Inflammation in the airways of the lungs from asthma |
Inflammation on the skin from poison ivy, sunburn, insect bites |
| Can’t see the redness and swelling |
Can see redness or swelling |
| May not feel asthma symptoms |
May be bothered by itching, pain, heat, or other symptoms |
| Inflammation is persistent (stays with you) |
Inflammation is temporary (goes away) |
| Over time, can cause scarring of lung tissue |
Usually no long-term damage |
Lung Inflammation Caused by Asthma
Persistent inflammation in asthma means there is always some swelling of the airways in the lungs, even when a person is feeling well and not having any asthma symptoms.1 Unlike a poison ivy rash or a bee sting that goes away, this persistent lung inflammation does not go away. This means that even though your asthma symptoms have gone, your asthma is still with you.
Persistent Airway Inflammation Makes the Lungs More Sensitive
Experts believe this persistent inflammation makes the lungs of people with asthma sensitive or hyperresponsive. This is why the airways (bronchial tubes) of people with asthma so easily go into spasms, which is called bronchoconstriction. This airway or bronchial constriction means the muscles around the airways of your lungs tighten, which causes asthma symptoms and makes breathing difficult. Persistent inflammation makes constriction of airways more likely.1 The swelling that is already present in the lungs reacts to things called triggers like pet dander, pollen, or cold air—harmless things that don’t usually bother people who don’t have asthma.2
Persistent Airway Inflammation May Reduce Lung Function
This persistent swelling can prevent your lungs from working as well as they should. You may not feel tightness in your chest or have trouble breathing, but uncontrolled inflammation can place limitations on your daily activities.
Persistent Airway Inflammation Can Damage Lungs
Over time, this persistent swelling can damage the lining of the airways in your lungs. This damage takes the form of scarring in lung tissue and other changes to essential parts of the lung's lining and airways. Although asthma symptoms may be reversible, the changes may not be.3
Persistent Lung Inflammation Can Be Treated
Anti-inflammatory medicines work to reduce and control airway swelling. This can help to prevent asthma attacks and may decrease the risk of damage within the lungs caused by persistent inflammation.4
However, it is not known if any asthma medicines can prevent long-term damage to the lungs.
NEXT: Being in Control of Asthma