Introduction
The scientific method is crucial in providing analytical, sensible, problem-solving criteria across many fields in the biological learning area. For instance, the scientific method can boost a researcher’s knowledge of a disease such as asthma and allergic reaction. The importance of the scientific method relies on the basic steps such as observation, hypothesis formulation, testing of the predictions, drawing conclusions, and refining them. As in the case of asthma and allergic reactions investigations, descriptive studies can be used to describe the nature of the relationship between asthma and asthma attack, therefore explaining the cause and effect. Additionally, the scientific method of descriptive studies involves critical thinking that enables the application of logic to conclude. In consequence, the descriptive studies help in taking the asthmatic studies from the theoretical discipline to a more explicit biological science.
Asthma and asthmatic attack studies are among the most important areas of inquiry in biology. First, when research is conducted on asthma as a subject, people begin to differentiate between the effects of different allergens. More precisely, they realize that the same allergens that give sneezing fits and watery eyes can cause an asthma attack on others. Secondly, the choice to study asthma, and allergic reactions is informed by its ability to assist asthmatic individuals in understanding their triggers and learn how to prevent them in case of an attack. The understanding is important because allergens are everywhere so symptoms of asthma attack manifest after inhalation of allergy triggers such as pollen grains, dust mites, or mold among others. Without a doubt, the educative purpose of the studies on asthma and asthma attacks can reduce the death-related cases, more so in the present COVID-19 period.
Context of the Biological Kingdom
Biology, in itself, is natural science because it deals with the explanation, apprehension, and prediction of the natural phenomenon based on empirical evidence from observation, experimentation. Again, within the natural sciences, biology occupies the fundamental space of life sciences. This is because biological sciences are more concerned with the study of living organisms and their relationship with their environment. Therefore, there exists a relationship between biology and the study of asthma alongside allergic reactions (Mahmoudi, 2017). The relationship is based on the fact that asthma occurs in humans, who are the living organisms studied in biology. A characteristic such as response to stimuli is well explained by how the body of a human being will react to allergens hence triggering asthma. Accordingly, the study of asthma is valuable in placing the investigation of allergic reactions in a biological context.
By explaining various reactions of the human body towards certain varieties of allergens, the study of asthma can be placed within the context of the biological sub-branch known as immunobiology. In biological terms, the interactions of antigens with specific antibodies can be used to explain the symptoms that characterize asthmatic attacks (Mahmoudi, 2017). Indeed, the study of antiviral immune response links the exacerbations of asthma attacks to viral infections. Most importantly, two types of immunity are investigated for asthma attacks. The overall response that is always explored includes the combination of innate specific immunities and non-particular immunity (Mahmoudi, 2017). The study of non-specific elements such as phagocytes that surround and destroy viruses that are capable of neutralizing virally-caused asthma shows the existing interdependence between immunology and asthmatic attacks (Mahmoudi, 2017). As evident, immunobiology gives a clear explanation of the response of the human body to certain bacteria that may cause asthma and allergic reactions to humans.
Furthermore, the study of asthma and allergic reactions can be studied from the context of pathology, which is a biological sub-branch. Through pathology, a researcher can study the nature of asthma, its causes, and its effects. Notably, the asthmatic condition is referred to as fatal when the airways are occluded are by tenacious plugs of exudate, mucus, and cells (Mahmoudi, 2017). In this particular case, there is the fragility of the airway surface epithelium and the thickening of the nasal cavity wall. Other natures of the respiratory system that have been affected by asthma which is explained using pathology include bronchial vessel dilation, intense inflammatory cell infiltrate, and enlargement of the mass of bronchial smooth muscle among others (Mahmoudi, 2017). In essence, the symptoms that are associated with asthmatic attacks are better understood from the pathological context.
To reduce the number of deaths that are associated with asthmatic attacks, researchers have identified different ways to control asthma. It means that for those who are studying medical biology, asthma provides a rich area of study especially in aspects such as prevention, cure, and alleviation. In as much as extensive research studies have established proper medication for asthma, the main concern has been to stop the asthma attacks before they start (Mahmoudi, 2017). Also included as part of the measure of controlling asthma is learning to recognize triggers and then avoiding them. In case of an asthma flare-up, medical specialists have recommended the usage of quick-relief inhalers (Mahmoudi, 2017). Therefore, the topic of medicine as studied under biology is key in providing an insightful understanding of the cure and control to asthma.
Asthma and Allergic Reactions
Like any other disease, asthma is characterized by several symptoms. Most commonly, asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes (Mahmoudi, 2017). Asthmatic patients experience coughing, especially at night, wheezing sound when breathing, and shortness of breath, chest tightness, pain, or pressure (Mahmoudi, 2017). However, not every patient has the same symptoms in the same way. Illustratively, a person may not exhibit all the symptoms and may have varied signs at different times. Some asthma symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another (Mahmoudi, 2017). In fact, some people with asthma may go for prolonged periods without showing any signs, interrupted by periodic worsening of their symptoms called asthma attacks (Mahmoudi, 2017). Clearly, the difference between asthma and asthma attacks lies in the occurrence of the symptoms which are sometimes known as the attacks.
Being a respiratory disease, asthma is associated with numerous types of triggers that cause the symptoms. The types of triggers that are known include tobacco smoke, dust mites, outdoor air pollution, pests such as cockroaches and mice, pets, mold, and some disinfectants (Mahmoudi, 2017). Apart from the types of triggers, an asthmatic individual needs to know the treatment options that are always available for each specific case. The available treatment options include long-term asthma control medications, quick-relief drugs, medications for allergy-induced asthma, and biologics (Mahmoudi, 2017). There exist behavioral interventions that can help during asthma attacks even without an inhaler. A good example is to ensure that there is enough airflow around the asthmatic individual in case of an attack (Mahmoudi, 2017). It is important to note that that the best way to control asthma is always to ensure that the types of triggers are always avoided.
The study of asthma and asthma attack is quite appealing for many reasons that every biologist cannot fail to appreciate. The study of the topic enables an individual to apply the correct behavioral treatment when treating asthma, especially with other emerging respiratory sicknesses such as Covid-19. The knowledge is only vital to the extent to which an individual understands the immune system’s job of protecting him from bacteria and viruses. Therefore, if an individual has allergies it implies that part of his immune system is overworked when he has an underlying condition such as asthma (Mahmoudi, 2017). Since Covid-19 is a respiratory illness, the persons who are affected most are those with underlying respiratory diseases such as asthmatic patients. As such, to control the Covid-19 among asthmatic patients, one needs to understand the correct treatment technique that applies to his case.
Another reason why the study of asthma is compelling is that it enables a researcher to relish how the body reacts to allergens and this helps in alleviating worries about the illness. More specifically, this is to say that the body produces some chemicals known as antibodies whenever they meet an allergen (Mahmoudi, 2017). The antibodies cause the release of chemicals such as histamine that causes swelling and inflammation (Mahmoudi, 2017). Consequently, the signs of running nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing are witnessed as the body tries to rid itself of the allergen (Mahmoudi, 2017). This is a mechanism that some biologists have referred to as innate control of allergens. As a matter of fact, the study of asthma and asthma attacks helps in boosting confidence even among the patients who have the disease.
Conclusion
Every disease-causing organism undergoes various changes that affect the DNA structure over time. It brings no doubt that there will be transformations to disease-causing bacteria of asthma and asthmatic attack. In consequence, there will also be some changes to the management and control of the disease as will be directed by epidemiologists after a decade from the present time. Notably, the rate of asthma prevalence in the world will increase multiple folds with the rate of urbanization. This condition will be created by urbanization which is currently on the rise because the growth of cities and major towns are to blame for some of the allergens such as industrial smoke. Also, due to increased scientific research and technological advancement, after a decade, more drugs will be available for control and treatment of asthma and allergic reactions. The same way pharmacists worked to invent a drug known as Xolair based on the structure of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) protein it will also force them to create a more powerful drug for asthma. Intrinsically, epidemiologists’ work in controlling the extensiveness of asthma will depend on their improvements to the current medications.
For the fight against asthma to be realized in the entire world and by the individual governments for the future, some necessary accomplishments need to be effected. Firstly, it will be of utmost importance for governments to create foundations that support researches on asthma and other allergy-related infections within their jurisdictions. For instance, they can emulate the US, which has established the American Asthma Foundation which is an organization that supports innovative research on asthma through grants. Through the initiatives, the researchers will be motivated to upscale their investigations to ensure the rising cases of asthma will be reduced. Secondly, it will be requisite for the world nations to enjoin in creating more agencies that support the World Health Organization mission and programs that are aimed at reducing the occurrence of asthma in the world populace. A good example that should be replicated in the world is the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD). The alliance’s mandate is to prevent and control breathing diseases. In essence, governments all over the world have a greater role to play in the control of asthma in the next decade.
To fully understand asthma and allergic reactions, there are several steps in the scientific method that a biologist needs to follow. One key step is the observation of the symptoms of asthma from the patients. Observation of the signs will make the researcher establish the visible asthma signs with those that are already written by other scientists. From the observations, the researcher can formulate a hypothesis on asthma and allergies. For instance, a researcher can create a hypothesis of whether there exists a relationship between asthma and allergic reactions. After the postulation, the scientist will then devise an experiment to test the data from the observations which had been already made about the symptoms of asthma. Strikingly, if there is no valuable data that has been collected, then the researcher has to identify asthmatic individuals from which information is obtained. In the end, the researcher will refute or support his hypothesis based on the data which has been collected. Distinctively, the steps act as the guide to a complete understanding of the relationship between asthma and allergic reactions.
Reference
Mahmoudi, M. (2017). Allergy and asthma made ridiculously simple. MedMaster Publishers.