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Asthma is an inflammatory illness affecting the lungs' airways. It makes breathing difficult and can make certain physical activity difficult, if not impossible.
Asthma affects around 25 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Asthma is the most frequent chronic illness among American children, affecting one out of every twelve.
To understand asthma, you must first understand what happens when you breathe. Normally, when you take a breath, air passes through your nose or mouth, down through your throat, and into your airways, eventually reaching your lungs.
In your lungs, there are several little air channels that help transfer oxygen from the air into your bloodstream.
When the lining of your airways expands and the muscles around them constrict, you get asthma symptoms. Mucus then fills the airways, decreasing the amount of air that can travel through even further.
These factors can then trigger an asthma "attack," which is characterized by coughing and chest discomfort.
SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA
Wheezing is the most prevalent symptom of asthma. When you breathe, you make a screaming or whistling sound.
Asthma symptoms may also include:
- weariness.
- Chest ache
- Breathing quickly
- Infections occur frequently.
- Sleeping problems.
- Coughing, particularly at night, during laughing, or while exercising
- a feeling of chest constriction
- Breathing difficulty
- Speaking is challenging.
- Anxiety or panic.
The type of asthma you have can influence the symptoms you experience.
Some people have symptoms that last throughout the day. Others may discover that certain activities aggravate their symptoms.
These symptoms will not be experienced by everyone who has asthma. Make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect your symptoms are the result of an illness such as asthma.
Also, keep in mind that even if your asthma is well-controlled, you may still experience a flare-up of symptoms on occasion. Flare-ups often improve with the use of quick-acting treatments, such as an inhaler, but in severe cases, medical attention may be required.
Asthma flare-up symptoms may include:
- coughing.
- wheezing.
- Clearing one's throat
- Sleeping problems
- Pain or tightness in the chest.
- weariness.
If your symptoms increase or do not improve after using an inhaler, you should seek medical attention right once.
You should also seek care if you have any of the following symptoms of an asthma emergency:
- terrible trouble breathing
- gasping for breath
- confusion.
- Lips or fingernails that are pale
- dizziness.
- walking or talking difficulties
- Lips or fingernails that are blue.
CAUSES OF ASTHMA
Despite the fact that asthma is more common in children, many people do not develop asthma until they are adults.
Asthma does not have a single etiology. Instead, researchers believe it is the result of a combination of circumstances. These elements are as follows:
- Genetics: If a parent or sibling has asthma, you’re more likely to develop it.
- Virus infections in the past: People who have had a history of severe viral infections as a kid, such as respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV), may be predisposed to the illness.
- Hypothesis of hygiene: According to this notion, when babies are not exposed to enough microorganisms in their early months and years, their immune systems do not develop sufficiently to fend off asthma and other allergy disorders.
Asthma can also be triggered by a variety of events, causing symptoms to intensify. Asthma triggers can vary, and some people are more sensitive to particular triggers than others.
The following are the most prevalent triggers:
- health conditions, like Infections of the lungs.
- exercise.
- irritants in the environment
- allergens.
- triggering emotions
- severe weather conditions
- pests.
- certain drugs, such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS
There is no single test or exam that can tell you or your child if you or your child has asthma. Instead, your doctor will use a range of factors to assess whether your symptoms are due to asthma.
Asthma can be diagnosed using the following factors:
- Medical history: Your risk is increased if you have a family member who suffers from the breathing disorder. Inform your doctor about this genetic link.
- Physical examination: Your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your breathing. A skin test may also be performed to search for evidence of an allergic reaction, such as hives or eczema. Allergies raise your chances of developing asthma.
- Breathing examinations: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) assess the amount of air that enters and exits your lungs. Spirometry, the most common test, involves blowing into a device that measures the speed of the air.
Doctors normally do not perform breathing tests on children under the age of five since it is difficult to obtain an accurate reading.
Instead, they may give your child asthma medicine and wait to see whether the symptoms improve. If they do, your child most certainly suffers from asthma.
If your doctor determines that you have asthma, he or she may prescribe a bronchodilator or other asthma medicine. If your symptoms improve while taking this medicine, your doctor will continue to treat you as if you have asthma.
Your doctor will also need to know what kind of asthma you have. The most frequent type of asthma is allergic asthma, which accounts for 60% of all cases of asthma.
Other types of asthma are tied to a person's life stage. Though asthma can emerge at any age, pediatric asthma affects children exclusively, whereas adult-onset asthma does not appear until maturity.
Other kinds of asthma are discussed further below.
Allergic asthma
This prevalent kind of asthma is triggered by allergens. These could include:
- dander from animals such as cats and dogs
- food.
- mold.
- pollen.
- dust.
Allergic asthma is frequently seasonal because it coexists with seasonal allergens.
Non-allergic asthma
This form of asthma is caused by irritants in the air that are not related to allergies. Among these irritants are:
- Wood is being burned.
- Tobacco smoke
- The air is frigid.
- pollution of the air
- Infections caused by viruses
- fresheners for the air
- cleaning supplies for the home
- perfumes.
Aspirin-induced asthma
Aspirin-induced asthma (AIA), also known as aspirin-aggravated respiratory disease (AERD), is typically severe.
It is caused by using aspirin or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil).
The symptoms could appear within minutes or hours. Nasal polyps are common in people with AIA.
AIA affects approximately 9% of adults with asthma. It typically manifests itself unexpectedly in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50.
Nocturnal asthma
Symptoms of this form of asthma intensify at night.
Triggers thought to cause symptoms at night include:
- heartburn.
- dander from pets
- dust mite
Nocturnal asthma may also be triggered by the body's natural sleep cycle.
Occupational asthma
Occupational asthma is a kind of asthma that is triggered at work. These are some examples:
- dust.
- dyes.
- fumes and gases
- chemicals used in industry
- Proteins from animals
- Latex rubber
These irritants can be found in a variety of industries, including:
- farming.
- textiles.
- woodworking.
- manufacturing.
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB)
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) typically occurs within a few minutes of beginning exercise and can last for up to 10 to 15 minutes afterward.
Previously, this illness was known as exercise-induced asthma (EIA).
EIB affects up to 90% of persons with asthma, but not everyone with EIB has other kinds of asthma.
Cough-variant asthma (CVA)
Cough-variant asthma (CVA) is distinguished by the absence of conventional asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. It is distinguished by a persistent, dry cough.
CVA, if left untreated, can develop to full-blown asthma episodes, along with the other more typical symptoms.
ASTHMA TREATMENTS
To aid in the management of asthma, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP)Trusted Source categorizes the condition according to its severity prior to therapy.
Asthma is classified as follows:
- Moderate persistent: The symptoms occur on a daily basis and at least one night per week, although not on a nightly basis. Some daily activities may be restricted.
- Severe persistent: Symptoms appear multiple times per day and most evenings. The number of activities available on a daily basis is relatively limited.
- Intermittent: This type of asthma affects the majority of people and does not interfere with daily activities. The symptoms are minor, lasting no more than two days per week or two nights per month.
- Mild persistent: The symptoms occur more than twice a week — but not on a daily basis — and can last up to four nights each month.
Asthma treatments are classified into four categories:
- Medication for immediate relief.
- Medication for long-term control
- A mixture of drugs for short-term alleviation and long-term control The most recent asthma clinical guidelines, published by the NAEPP in 2020, suggest this treatment. However, the Federal Drug Administration has not yet approved this medicine (FDA).
- Biologics, which are administered via injection or infusion, are often reserved for severe cases of asthma.
Your doctor will propose a single treatment or a mix of treatments based on the following criteria:
- what kind of asthma you have
- you're age
- your set-offs
Your treatment strategy may also include identifying your triggers, closely monitoring your symptoms, and taking precautions to avoid flare-ups.
QUICK RELIEF ASTHMA THERAPIES
These drugs should only be taken in the event of an asthma attack or symptoms. They provide immediate relief, allowing you to breathe again.
Bronchodilators: Bronchodilators act swiftly to relax the tensed muscles surrounding your airways and reduce symptoms.
Bronchodilators can be given orally or intravenously, however they are most usually taken via an inhaler (rescue) or nebulizer.
They can be used to treat acute asthma symptoms or to avoid a flare-up before activity.
First aid asthma treatment: If you suspect a loved one is experiencing an asthma attack, urge them to sit up straight and help them use their rescue inhaler or nebulizer.
Depending on the drug, the dosage will differ. Check the instructions insert to ensure you understand how many puffs of medication you will require in the event of an attack.
If your symptoms last longer than 20 minutes and a second dose of medication does not help, seek emergency medical treatment.
If you frequently require quick-relief drugs, speak with your doctor about a different type of medication for long-term asthma management.
Medication for long-term asthma control
These medications are taken on a daily basis to help lessen the number and severity of your asthma symptoms, but they do not treat the symptoms that occur during an attack.
Among the long-term asthma control drugs are:
- Anti-inflammatories: Corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs, when inhaled, assist reduce swelling and mucus production in your airways, making it easier to breathe.
- Anticholinergics: These assist in keeping your muscles from constricting around your airways. They are typically taken on a daily basis in conjunction with anti-inflammatories.
- Long-acting bronchodilators: These should be taken only in conjunction with anti-inflammatory asthma drugs.
Biologics
Biologics are used by doctors to treat severe asthma that does not respond to other drugs or trigger control therapies.
They function by specifically targeting antibodies in your body. This interrupts the process that leads to the inflammation that causes asthma.
There are currently five types of biologic drugs on the market, with more in the works. These medications must be administered in your doctor's office via injection or infusion.
Bronchial thermoplasty
Corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs, when inhaled, assist reduce swelling and mucus production in your airways, making it easier to breathe.
These assist in keeping your muscles from constricting around your airways. They are typically taken on a daily basis in conjunction with anti-inflammatories.
These should be taken only in conjunction with anti-inflammatory asthma drugs.
WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ASTHMA ATTACK?
An exacerbation, often known as an asthma attack, occurs when your asthma symptoms worsen over time.
Because the airways have enlarged and the bronchial tubes have narrowed, breathing becomes increasingly difficult.
An exacerbation may cause the following symptoms:
- hyperventilation.
- cough.
- wheezing.
- Breathing difficulty
- accelerated heart rate
- agitation.
- confusion.
- The lips are blue.
Although an exacerbation can be treated without medication, you should consult your doctor because it can be fatal.
The longer an exacerbation lasts, the more it can interfere with your ability to breathe. That is why exacerbations frequently necessitate a trip to the emergency room.
Exacerbations can be avoided by using asthma drugs that assist regulate your symptoms.
PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA
Because researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact etiology of asthma, determining ways to prevent the inflammatory condition is difficult.
Preventing asthma attacks, on the other hand, is better understood. Among these strategies are:
Keeping triggers at bay: Avoid chemicals, odors, or products that have previously caused respiratory problems.
limiting allergen exposure: If you've discovered allergens that cause asthma attacks, such as dust or mold, try to avoid them as much as possible.
Receiving allergy shots: Allergen immunotherapy is a sort of treatment that may aid in the modification of your immune system. Your body may become less sensitive to any triggers you experience as a result of frequent shots.
Taking preventative medicine: Your doctor may advise you to take medication on a daily basis. This drug may be taken in conjunction with the one you use in an emergency.
Your doctor can assist you in developing an asthma action plan so that you know which treatments to use and when.
Aside from utilizing maintenance drugs, you can take steps every day to improve your health and lower your risk of asthma episodes. These are some examples:
- Eating a more nutritious diet: A healthy, well-balanced diet can help you enhance your overall health.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Asthma is more common in those who are overweight or obese. Losing weight is good for your heart, joints, and lungs.
- If you smoke, you should stop: Cigarette smoke, for example, is an irritant that can cause asthma and raise your risk of COPD.
- Regular exercise: Although activity can cause an asthma attack, regular exercise may help lower the chance of breathing problems.
- Stress management: Asthma symptoms might be exacerbated by stress. Stress might also make it more difficult to halt an asthma attack.
Nutrient-rich diets are essential for symptom reduction, but food allergies can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
CONCLUSION
Asthma is a lung ailment that causes inflammation and makes breathing difficult. It can impact both adults and children in various ways and to varying degrees of severity.
Asthma can be treated with a variety of medications. Bronchodilators are the most commonly used therapy, which can be used either short-term to treat an asthma attack or long-term to manage symptoms over time.
Changes in lifestyle may also help minimize asthma flare-ups. Dietary adjustments, exercise, and stress management are examples of such measures. Consult your doctor to determine the type of asthma you have and the best medication and management choices for you.