Asthma | Overview – Diagnosis – Treatment

Asthma is a condition in which the airways narrow and swell to produce additional phlegm. Speaking a bit more specifically, we have to mention that it is an inflammatory airway disease, causing periodic attacks, with cough, characteristic whistling, dyspnoea, and chest tightness.

For some people, asthma can be a major problem that interferes with their everyday activities, and it can lead to an asthma crisis that might threaten their lives.

Unfortunately, asthma is not cured, but its symptoms may be under control.

Due to the fact that asthma is changing over time, it is important to work with your doctor to detect signs and symptoms and adapt a course therapy as needed in your case.

In order to understand asthma or the condition of asthma, it helps to know how the airways work.

The airways are tubes that carry air inside and outside the lungs.

People suffering from asthma are inflamed in these airways. Inflammation causes the airways to swell and makes them very sensitive.

Airways tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances.

The airway reaction causes tightness of the muscles around them.

This narrows the airways, forcing less air to enter the lungs.

Swelling can also worsen, making the airways even tighter. Airway cells produce more phlegm than normal.

The chain reaction described above can cause the symptoms of asthma.

Who can be infected from asthma?

Typically, it develops during childhood but can affect you at any age.

People who have allergies, or a parent, or close relative with asthma are much more likely to become infected with asthma. We will look at the Risk Factors below when there is a possibility of infection, other than inheritance and related factors.

Diagnosis

A lung test called spirometry measures the amount of air you inhale and exhale. The results will help your doctor decide whether you have asthma and how severe it is.

He may also suggest an allergy test to identify some of the causes that cause it.

Treating asthma

For example, long-term anti-inflammatory inhalers are often necessary to treat asthma-associated inflammation.

These inhalers deliver small doses of steroids to the lungs, with minimal side effects if used properly.

The fast-acting inhaler or bronchodilator inhaler work directly to open the airways during a crisis.

Make sure that your doctor always demonstrates the correct use of the inhaler.

Classification of asthma

Determining the severity of asthma helps your doctor choose the most appropriate treatment for your case.

It is a fact that the severity of asthma changes over time, requiring adjustments to your treatment.

Asthma is classified into four broad categories:

Is smoking causing the asthma?

There is also strong evidence that secondary smoke (referred to below, is the smoke we inhale from someone else’s activity) also plays a role.

Symptoms

Symptoms of asthma may vary from person to person. You may have uncommon crises, have symptoms only a few moments – such as when you are exercising – or have symptoms constantly.

Signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Dyspnea
• Chest tightness or pain
• Sleep problem due to dyspnea, cough or bloating
• A whistle or sound like a whistle when you exhale (blowing is a very common sign of asthma in children)
• Cough or whistle crises that are aggravated by a respiratory virus such as cold or flu

The signs that your asthma may be getting worse include:

• Increased dyspnea
• More frequent use of the quick-relief inhaler
• Greater incidence of symptoms mentioned above

For some people, signs and symptoms of asthma flare up in some situations such as:

• Asthma caused by exercise, which may be worse when the air is wet and cold
• Professional asthma, which is triggered by workplace irritation, such as chemical fumes, gases, dust

Allergy-induced asthma triggered by airborne substances such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste, or skin particles and dried animal saliva.

When to see a doctor (in cases where asthma is getting worse)

Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor to determine what to do when the symptoms get worse and when you need urgent treatment.

The signs of an asthma emergency include:

• Rapid worsening of dyspnea or characteristic whistling
• There is no improvement even if you use the quick-relief inhaler
• Shortness of breath when exercising for a minimum duration or time.

Contact your doctor (for diagnosis or routine examination and adjustment)

See your doctor:

• If you think you have asthma. If you have frequent cough or a characteristic whistle that lasts for more than 5 days, or any other signs or symptoms of asthma, visit your doctor. Early treatment of asthma can prevent long-term damage of the lungs and helps prevent the condition from deteriorating over time.

• For the monitoring of asthma after diagnosis. If you know you have asthma you should work with your doctor to keep your condition under control. A good long-term check can help you feel better day by day and prevent a crisis.

• If the symptoms of asthma get worse. Contact your doctor immediately if it appears that the medication you are following does not help, or if you need to use the quick-relief inhaler more often. Do not try to resolve the problem with more medicines without first consulting your doctor. Excessive drug use can cause problems and worsen asthma.

• To reassess the treatment you are following. Often asthma changes over time. You have regular appointments with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and possible adjustments to your treatment.

Causes                                                        

It has not yet been clarified why some people are affected by asthma and others are not, but most likely this is due to a combination of environmental and genetic (hereditary) factors.

What Causes Asthma

Exposure to various irritants and substances that trigger allergies may trigger signs and symptoms of asthma. Here too, the activation of asthma differs from person to person and may include:

• Airborne substances such as pollen dust mites, mold seeds, etc.
• Respiratory infections, such as a common cold
• Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
• Cold air
• Atmospheric pollutants and irritants such as smoke
• Certain medicines
• A strong form of emotions and stress
• Sulphates and preservatives added to certain foods
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux, a condition where stomach acids return to your throat

Risk factors

A number of factors are believed to increase your chances to develop asthma. What are these risk factors? We see them below:

• Having a relative suffering from asthma
• The presence of another allergic condition
• Being overweight
• You are a smoker
• Exposure to smoke
• Exposure to exhaust fumes or other forms of pollutants
• Exposure to chemicals in your work, such as chemicals used in agriculture, hairdressing, construction,

Complications

Now let’s look at the complications that may occur in a situation where asthma is already present:

• Symptoms and signs that interfere with your sleep, work, or fitness program.
• Sick leave days from your school or work
• Permanent bronchoconstriction (airway remodeling) affecting the quality of breathing (ease / difficulty)
• Visits to hospitals for severe asthma attacks
• Side effects from the long-term use of certain drugs used to stabilize asthma.

Treatments and medicines

Prevention and long-term control are the basis for stopping asthma attacks before they even begin.

Treatment usually includes how to learn to recognize the stimuli by taking measures to prevent them and monitoring your breath to make sure that your daily asthma medications keep asthma under control.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Although many people with asthma rely solely on medication to prevent and relieve symptoms, you can do many things on your own to maintain your health and minimize the likelihood of seizures.

• Use your air conditioner. The air conditioner reduces the amount of airborne substances and internal moisture. If you do not have an air conditioner, keep the windows closed in poll periods.
• Disinfect your decoration. Minimize the dust that can be inside your home.
• Maintain the best moisture level.
• Prevent mold seeds. Clean wet surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen
• Avoid having pets with fur or down.
• Clean areas frequently.
• Cover your nose and mouth if cold is out.

Surely, apart of the above you should try to stay healthy, which is probably self-evident.

Try to follow a regular fitness program. Having asthma does not mean you do not have to be active.

Always keep a normal weight and avoid getting overweight, which will aggravate the condition of asthma.

Alternative treatment

Some alternative therapies can help the symptoms of asthma.

However, you will always remember that these treatments do not replace the normal medication recommended by your doctor.

These alternative treatments include both breathing exercises and natural herbs.

Conclusion

Asthma has no cure. Even when you feel good you have the illness that can haze at any time.

It can be challenging and stressful together. But always keep in mind that asthma should never become a limiting factor in your life.

However, with today’s knowledge and therapies, most people suffering from asthma have the ability to manage the disease. They present very little, if any, symptoms.

They can be perfectly normal, live active lives and sleep at night without interruption due to asthma.

If you suffer from asthma you can take an active role in managing the disease.

For successful, comprehensive and continuous therapy, you create a strong link with your doctor and possibly other health providers who can help you.

You do not have to guess solutions or to lament about your situation. Your own initiative on how to manage this illness will make you feel much better. Misery has never helped anyone.