Verified By Apollo Pulmonologist November 11, 2023
5176Asthma is the condition caused by the narrowing and swelling of airways along with increased production of mucus. This can trigger coughing, make breathing difficult and a whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out. Asthma can cause minor disruptions to daily activities in some , but can also sometimes cause a threat to life too. Hence it is always safer to be aware and take all steps to keep asthma under control.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory condition affecting your airways and lungs. It affects your normal breathing pattern due to inflammation or narrowing of the airways, which ultimately leads to a disturbed airflow.
Your doctor will focus on controlling the symptoms to prevent the condition from worsening. The signs and symptoms of asthma keep changing over time and vary from one person to another. Your doctor will help you track symptoms and advise an appropriate treatment plan. Asthma does not have a cure but is manageable .
What are the different types of asthma?
Asthma is characterized into four different categories:
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Signs and symptoms of asthma vary from person to person. Commonly noticed symptoms of asthma are as follows:
Some might face a flare-up of the signs and symptoms in specific conditions like:
When to see a doctor for asthma?
You should seek medical care if you are experiencing severe asthma attacks, also known as asthma exacerbation. This is an emergency and must be handled with caution as it can be life-threatening. You can identify the condition by the following circumstances:
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Other situations where it is important to see a doctor are:
What causes asthma?
The fact remains unclear why some people develop asthma, and some do not. The cause is probably the combination of genetic and environmental factors that affects how your body reacts to asthma triggers.
The asthma triggers mentioned below vary from person to person:
What are the risk factors of asthma?
Several factors can increase your risk of developing asthmatic conditions. The risk factors are:
What are the complications of asthma?
Asthma can turn into a lifestyle disorder, which can cause various complications like:
What treatment is advised for patients with asthma?
Medications
Medication depends on several factors, such as age, asthma triggers, symptoms, and medications that you can tolerate . They are divided into long-term medications, quick-relief medications, and allergy medications.
The long-term medications to control asthma are taken every day and are the foundational basis for treating asthma. These medicines are used to keep the symptoms under control and prevent an asthma attack from happening. The types of long-term asthma control medicines are:
Quick-relief medicines are used to relieve symptoms on a short-term basis. They act rapidly during an asthma attack. Your doctor is likely to recommend these before exercising or doing any strenuous activity. They are as follows:
If your asthma is worsened or triggered by allergies, allergy medications come into play. They are:
Bronchial thermoplasty
Bronchial thermoplasty is not used for every asthmatic patient. The treatment is advisable for the ones not benefiting by either inhaled corticosteroids or prescribed long-term medications. The procedure involves heating of the airways in the lungs with the help of an electrode.
Asthma action plan
The asthma plan developed with your doctor can help you manage the symptoms and acute attacks. It focuses primarily on:
Your doctor is likely to recommend you to track and keep a note of your symptoms. You will be recommended to use a peak flow meter to monitor the efficiency of the treatment.
How to prevent asthma from worsening?
While there are no methods to prevent asthma from occurring, there are ways to manage the condition and prevent it from taking a toll. Your concerned doctor will provide you with an asthma plan and advise you to take the following preventive measures religiously:
Conclusion
Asthma is an extremely common chronic condition. It is an illness where the airways swell, and bronchial tubes narrow due to extra mucus production, and the muscles contract making normal breathing difficult. To some, it can be a minor difficulty, whereas to others, it can result in a life-threatening asthmatic attack.
Asthma requires a medical diagnosis and is entirely treatable by medical professionals. It usually causes difficulty in breathing, pain in the chest, coughing, and wheezing. Flaring up of symptoms is common among asthmatic patients. With proper asthma action plans and timely medications, asthma can be controlled effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I avoid asthma triggers?
Asthma triggers can be avoided:
2. How to measure peak flow rate?
You can easily measure your peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) by handheld devices such as a peak flow meter. This device will measure the ability of your lungs to push the air out of them. Your healthcare provider will advise you regarding the type of peak flow meter to use.
3. What are some major side-effects of bronchodilators?
Nervousness, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and frequent headaches are some major side effects of bronchodilators and quick-relief asthma medications. These side effects worsen with oral forms than with inhaled ones.
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The content is verified and reviewd by experienced practicing Pulmonologist to ensure that the information provided is current, accurate and above all, patient-focused