Is there permanent cure for asthma?

Question

Asthma is an eminently controllable illness. Indeed, for most sufferers, control is so effective that it amounts to a virtual cure. But asthma is not curable in the same way as, say, a bacterial pneumonia; it never entirely goes away. Also, no one cure would ever suffice. It is becoming increasingly clear that there many types of asthma--and they differ greatly in their presentation and genesis. For example, asthma that presents as a chronic cough, the "cough variant of asthma, appears to be very different from the life-threatening variety, which results in extreme respiratory failure and sometimes death. The cause of asthma is is the increased sensitivity of the airways to many different agents. These agents include respiratory viruses (common cold virus), pollutants (ozone and cigarette smoke), airborne allergens (animal dander, pollens and molds) and exercise, especially in a cold and dry environment. These agents, called triggers, induce an inflammatory reaction in the airways that, in turn, results in the common symptoms of cough, wheezing, increased mucus production and shortness of breath. Successful control of asthma entails controlling the inflammation in the airways and reversing the symptoms before they get out of hand. Good asthma control will: prevent chronic and troublesome symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath. Reduce your need for quick-relief medicines (see below) help you maintain good lung function. Let you maintain your normal activity level and sleep through the night.

Sajeev Kumar · Accepted Answer

Asthma is an eminently controllable illness. Indeed, for most sufferers, control is so effective that it amounts to a virtual cure. But asthma is not curable in the same way as, say, a bacterial pneumonia; it never entirely goes away. Also, no one cure would ever suffice. It is becoming increasingly clear that there many types of asthma--and they differ greatly in their presentation and genesis. For example, asthma that presents as a chronic cough, the "cough variant of asthma, appears to be very different from the life-threatening variety, which results in extreme respiratory failure and sometimes death. The cause of asthma is is the increased sensitivity of the airways to many different agents. These agents include respiratory viruses (common cold virus), pollutants (ozone and cigarette smoke), airborne allergens (animal dander, pollens and molds) and exercise, especially in a cold and dry environment. These agents, called triggers, induce an inflammatory reaction in the airways that, in turn, results in the common symptoms of cough, wheezing, increased mucus production and shortness of breath. Successful control of asthma entails controlling the inflammation in the airways and reversing the symptoms before they get out of hand. Good asthma control will: prevent chronic and troublesome symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath. Reduce your need for quick-relief medicines (see below) help you maintain good lung function. Let you maintain your normal activity level and sleep through the night.