Health
How the Nervous System Holds the Key for Treating Asthma
Asthma is an illness that affects 235 million people worldwide. It results in the involuntary narrowing of the trachea, along with an overproduction of mucus. Other symptoms of asthma are difficulty breathing, chest pain, along with coughing and gasping for air. Asthma attacks kill 250,000 individuals each year, and are intensified by airborne or food-borne pollutants and allergens. Asthma cannot be cured, however treatments, like prescription medication and inhalers, can use anti-inflammatory steroids and drugs that open up airways. Thankfully, there is promising research that is being conducted by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Virginia suggesting that the nervous system has a large role to play in the study and treatment of asthma: 1. Sensory neurons Various triggers of asthma have been studied to learn exactly what is happening inside the body when an asthma attack occurs. It has been known that the immune system plays a key role, as asthma is often triggered by an over-active response to any invaders in the body. Because of this, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to suppress the immune system. However, these drugs only work so well, leading researchers to believe there is another element at play. There are sensory neurons that are part of the vagal ganglia behind the esophagus.
Read More