What is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the lungs. The symptoms of asthma usually show up in childhood however it can develop in people of all ages at any particular stage of life. If any of your family members has an asthma allergy or breathing problem, you are more likely to develop asthma. Atopy, or the genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases, can play a vital role in the development of allergic asthma.
Asthma can lead to severe breathing problems and other complications. In some cases, it may lead to respiratory failure and prove to be fatal. Large tubes called bronchi carry air in and out of your lungs. In asthma, these bronchial tubes can become inflamed and swollen causing chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing.
Without proper treatment, living with asthma can be challenging. Every patient with asthma has various triggers. Some common triggers include pet dander, pollens, tobacco smoke, stress, exercise, respiratory infections, and hormones.
Types
The 4 types of asthma based on their severity are:
- Moderate persistent
- Mild persistent
- Intermittent
- Severe persistent
Diagnosis
The following may be helpful in the diagnosis of asthma:
- Health history
- Physical exam
- Breathing test
Causes
It is not certain why some people get asthma and others do not, but it comes down to a combination of environmental and inherited factors. Asthma triggers vary from person to person and can include:
- Cold air
- Respiratory infections
- Medications such as Aspirin
- Stress
- Physical activity
- Allergens like dust mites, pollen, tobacco, animal fur, etc.
When asthma attacks the respiratory system, your airways react to substances in the world around you. People with asthma have swollen, sensitive airways that become hard and narrow with sticky mucus in response to certain triggers.
Symptoms
The common symptoms of asthma are:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
One of the most common symptoms of asthma is shortness of breath. The patient may feel like someone is sitting on their chest. Asthma can sometimes be mistaken for cold or bronchitis.
Treatment
Regular exercise can help to reduce the risk of asthma. Your pulmonologist can recommend medications as well which can be effective in reducing your symptoms. You may be asked to use an inhaler to help with breathing.
With your physician's help, you can effectively manage the symptoms of asthma and lead a normal life.
You can take these medicines to reduce the severity of asthma.
- Anti-inflammatories
- Anticholinergics
- Long-acting bronchodilators
You can take various steps to lessen the risk of an asthma attack.
- Eating a healthier diet
- Giving up smoking
- Exercise
- Managing stress
Risk Factors
You are at a greater risk of developing asthma in certain cases. They are:
- If you are a smoker
- If you are overweight
- Having a family history of asthma
- Exposure to air pollution
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Having allergies like eczema or hay fever
Prevention
Following are the ways in which you can prevent asthma:
- Be familiar with your asthma triggers so you can avoid them
- Get vaccinated for flu and pneumonia
- Take asthma medicines as prescribed by your doctor
- Stay away from allergens
- Quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
