Asthma

Overview

Asthma is a long-term respiratory lung disease that can cause breathing problems and can cost a lifetime. Asthma is a medical condition where the lungs swell ultimately leading to shortness of breath and triggering coughing coupled with wheezing.

What is Asthma?

Bronchial asthma or asthma is a lung disease which affects your airways causing them to become narrow and swollen due to excess mucus, making it difficult for an individual to breathe. The chronic disease prompts breathing difficulty, giving rise to the inflammation of the lungs and the ultimate reason for the change in the airways. Untreated asthma poses a problem on the lungs and might make temporary changes in the airway passage permanently.

How does Asthma attack the lungs?

When your airways tighten, you may produce a sound called wheezing, which occurs during exhalation. This noise is a sign that your airways are constricted. An asthma attack, also known as an exacerbation or flare-up, refers to episodes when your asthma symptoms are not well-controlled. During an asthma attack, he following things can happen:

- Narrowing of airways reduces airflow.
- Increased mucus production which obstructs airflow.
- Muscle tightening around the airway (bronchoconstriction) further obstructing airflow.

Asthma often called bronchial asthma can affect people of all age groups. With an appropriate treatment schedule and prescribed inhalers, one can lead a happy, healthy and normal life. Read to know more about the hidden truths and prevention/ cures of Asthma.

Types of Asthma Attack

It’s necessary for an individual to know what type of asthma they falls under. There are various types of Asthmas, but the most common type is allergic asthma, and studies suggest more than 60% of asthmatic patients have allergic asthma. While it can become a part of your health at any stage but knowing what type of asthma has caught you up is essential. Types of asthma includes:

Allergic asthma: Extremely common type of asthma which is influenced by various environmental triggers or allergens. Allergens are pollen, dust mites, weed, grass etc.

Non- allergic asthma: This type of asthma is not triggered by any allergens or triggers. Non- allergic irritants include smoke, burning wood, air fresheners, perfumes, viral illnesses, air pollution and fumes.

Nocturnal asthma: Symptoms of this type worsens at night, this type is also called as night time asthma. Triggers include Dust mites, Mold, pet dander. Body might also nocturnal asthma.

Aspirin- induced asthma: This type of asthma is considered extensively severe. It’s triggered by salt like ibuprofen. This type of asthma is common in adults and are associated with conditions like nasal polyps.

Exercise- induced bronchoconstriction (EIB): This type of asthma usually affects individuals during exercises or physical activity. Symptoms can trigger in the beginning of the exercises and can last for roughly 10-15 mins.

Cough- variant asthma (CVA): This type of asthma doesn’t incorporate shortness of breath or wheezing. This comes with continuous dry cough. It is advised to treat this type timely to prevent asthma flare- ups.

Occupational asthma: This type of asthma is triggered in the respective workplaces due to the exposure of certain irritants like dyes, dust, rubber latex, industrial chemicals, gases, fumes, animal proteins.

Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes and an increase in sticky mucus production within them. Early warning signs occur just before or at the onset of an asthma attack. Factors such as allergies, environmental conditions, genetics, and respiratory infections can elevate the risk of an asthma attack.

The symptoms vary from person to person, so it’s important to know what your body is indicating, some common symptoms and signs of asthma include,

First and foremost is wheezing, a whistling sound when you breathe is the most common sign of asthma.
Tightness in your chest

• Excessive Coughing (especially at night, early morning, laughing, while exercising)
• Fatigue, tiredness, weakness
• Rapid breathing
• Difficulty talking
• Shortness of breath
• Inability to exercise properly
• Anxiety
• Frequent infections
• Chest pain
• Trouble Sleeping
• There are other factors that influence the risk of developing asthma. Factors include:
• Being overweight
• Blood relation with asthma patient, genetic asthma
• Being a smoker
• Allergic condition
• Regular exposure to pollution

How to know if you are having an Asthma Attack?

You might experience uneasiness, shortness of breath, wheezing, hyperventilation, cough, increased heart rate, panic, confusion, blue lips and agitation.

An individual must be well- aware of their symptoms and must take certain measures to manage health. A prescribed inhaler, pump or medication is required to keep exacerbations under control.

Causes of Asthma Attack

The exact cause of asthma remains unknown, but it is understood to be a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the airways. While the causes can vary among individuals, the common factor is that when airways are exposed to triggers, they become inflamed, narrow, and produce excess mucus. Researchers have not yet determined why some people develop asthma while others do not. The most common causes/triggers include:

Respiratory infections: Prolonged infection history of infections can be a prime cause of the development of Asthma.

Allergens: Airborne allergens such as Mold, pollen, cockroach droppings, dust mites, etc. can be a root cause of Asthma and an individual who’s highly affected by these triggers must find ways to stay away from them.

Extreme weather conditions and environmental irritants: These factors can lend a hand in developing asthma as these conditions cause itchiness, swollen & itchy red skin, and congestion which in turn leads to this chronic disaster.

Stress and strong emotions: Stress triggers Asthma as breathing patterns changes and it noticeably increases your breathing rate as well.

Medications: Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin is hazardous as it inhibits COX pathways, which makes it difficult to keep normal body conditions in control and in rare conditions can cause death.

Tests and Treatments for Asthma

To understand what kind of asthma you have, doctors run certain tests to diagnose what the actual problem is. The following are the possible ways to diagnose Asthma:

Health history: Intimate the doctor about your family history of Asthma, as genetics is a crucial factor of developing Asthma.

Physical Examination: The intensity of your breath checked via a stethoscope will be a robust factor to determine if you are developing asthma.

Breathing tests: The commonly used device spirometry is used to record the airflow. The speed of the air blown into the device is an important factor in itself.

Nitric Oxide test: A tube which will count the amount of nitric oxide present in your breath when you blow air into it. It will show if the airways are inflamed or not.

Prevention of Asthma

If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with asthma, identifying your triggers is crucial. Avoiding these triggers can help prevent asthma attacks, although you cannot prevent asthma itself from developing. Safety measures include:

Avoiding triggers: An individual must be aware of their triggers and must stay away from or avoid direct contact to induce an easy breathing atmosphere. You need to find out the allergens or irritants that flare up your problem and try taking preventive steps to avoid contact.

Inhalers must be kept handy: Asthma patients are advised to keep quick-relief inhalers handy for rapid treatment. Usage of inhalers must not exceed the prescribed limit.

Monitor breathing: As you start living with Asthma, your body should start recognizing when your condition is getting worse, the signs your body is trying to give and for early treatment, an individual should start using a peak flow meter to persistently monitor your breath.

Allergy Vaccinations: To prevent Asthma’s outburst, immunotherapy is advised and recommended to strengthen your immune system and with routine shots, your body will be less responsive to the irritants or triggers.

Make your surroundings allergy or irritant-free: Your environment must be allergy-proof to prevent triggers. Clean Pillow covers, Smoke-free area, and regular and thorough cleaning of your workplace or home can make it less problematic to adjust to the surroundings.
These preventions can help in keeping asthma under control.