Thymic asthma is a medical condition that affects the small airways in the lungs. The spelling of this word can be explained through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The "th" in "thymic" is pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative, represented as /θ/. The "y" is pronounced as a palatal approximant, represented as /j/. The "m" is pronounced as a bilabial nasal, represented as /m/. The "i" in "asthma" is pronounced as a close front unrounded vowel, represented as /ɪ/. The "c" is pronounced as a voiceless palatal fricative, represented as /ç/.
Thymic asthma is a rare form of asthma that primarily affects infants and young children. It is a condition characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, and chest tightness triggered by an enlargement or abnormal function of the thymus gland, which is located in the chest behind the sternum.
The thymus gland plays a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in the development and maturation of T-cells, which are responsible for recognizing and eliminating foreign substances in the body. When the thymus gland does not function properly or becomes enlarged, it can lead to thymic asthma.
The precise cause of thymic asthma is not fully understood, but it is believed to be associated with a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms of thymic asthma often appear during the first year of life and may persist into early childhood before gradually improving over time.
Diagnosis of thymic asthma involves a thorough evaluation of the patient's medical history, physical examination, and specialized tests such as pulmonary function tests and imaging studies. Treatment for thymic asthma typically involves the use of bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. Additionally, surgical removal of the thymus gland, known as thymectomy, may be considered in severe cases that do not respond to medical treatment.
As thymic asthma is a relatively uncommon condition, further research and understanding are needed to improve diagnosis and treatment options.
• Spasmodic closure of the larynx in children, due to the irritation of an enlarged thymus gland; called also Kopp's, Millar's, and Wichmann's asthma.
• Laryngismus stridulus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "thymic asthma" is composed of two parts: "thymic" and "asthma".
1. Thymic: The term "thymic" refers to the thymus gland. The thymus is a specialized organ of the immune system located in the chest region behind the sternum. The term "thymic" is derived from the Greek word "thumos", meaning "soul" or "life force".
2. Asthma: The term "asthma" comes from the Greek word "ásthma", meaning "panting" or "short-drawn breath". It represents a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by reversible episodes of bronchial obstruction, causing wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.