Asthma – All About Asthma, Causes, Treatment & Preventing Steps
Nov 23, 2024
Asthma is actually a very common but serious disorder that obstructs the airflow through the lungs and the airways and makes breathing hard, especially during an asthma attack. Asthma is usually triggered by some factors such as allergens, exercise, or changes in weather. Though it cannot be cured, proper management can be done by effective treatments and adjustments in lifestyle. This guide tells us everything there is to know about asthma, including what causes it, symptoms, how to be diagnosed, treatment, daily routine, and prevention.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term disease that inflames the airways in your lungs. The airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. When you have asthma, these airways become inflamed or swollen, making it difficult for air to flow through easily. Sometimes, the muscles that surround the airways tighten, making the airways even smaller. This can cause breathing problems.
Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, breathlessness and feeling of chest tightness. The symptoms can be very unpredictable, coming and going, and tend to become worse sometimes, particularly in response to physical activity or at night.
What Causes Asthma
Asthma is developed for a variety of reasons, but very often there is a combination of genetic (from the family) and environmental influences. Here is a brief overview of common causes and risk factors of asthma:
1. Genetics
Family History: If one or both of your parents have asthma, you are more likely to develop the condition. Asthma can run in families, and certain genes can make you more sensitive to allergens or irritants that trigger asthma.
2. Allergens
Dust Mites: Tiny bugs that live in dust can trigger asthma symptoms.
Pollen: Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks.
Pet Dander: Fine flakes produced by a pet's skin can trigger asthma in sensitive persons.
Mold: Spores in the air from mold can also trigger asthma.
3. Air Pollution
Air polluted by vehicles, factories, etc. irritates the airways, resulting in an attack of asthma. This is very serious in metropolitan cities where air pollution is encountered more frequently.
4.Tobacco Smoke
Smoking: Smoking, or exposure to secondhand smoke, can affect the lungs and worsen asthma symptoms.
Secondhand Smoking: Smoke from other sources can also irritate the airways of people suffering from asthma, triggering an attack.
5. Respiratory Infections
Cold, flu, and other respiratory infections, such as RSV, often provoke asthma flare-ups, especially among children under five years old and individuals with serious asthma
6. Physical Activity
Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA): Some people have an asthma trigger due to exercise or physical activity. This condition is termed as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), causing the airways to constrict while exercising or immediately after.
7. Weather Conditions
Cold Air: Some individuals become sensitive to cold, dry air, and asthma symptoms are activated.
Hot, Humid Air: For others, hot and damp air worsens asthma symptoms.
8. Emotions and Stress
Strong emotions like stress, excitement, or anxiety can trigger asthma symptoms in some people. When you’re stressed, your breathing can become faster and more shallow, which can worsen asthma.
What are the Symptoms of Asthma
The symptoms of asthma can vary widely from person to person; some have mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe symptoms that interfere with daily life. Some of the most common symptoms of asthma include:
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Wheezing: A high-pitched whistling sound when exhaling, usually during the attack.
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Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or at night.
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Coughing: This coughing is very much marked nocturnally or in the morning and may be worse after workout or due to exposure to triggers.
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Chest Tightness: There may be tightness in the chest, and the patient may feel as though someone is sitting on his chest.
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Increased Mucus Production: Airways may produce more mucus than usual and cause coughing and difficulty in breathing.
How to Diagnose Asthma
If you suspect that you have asthma, the first course of action is always to see a doctor. This can be diagnosed by following the necessary procedures:
1. Medical History
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The doctor will first inquire about your symptoms, how often you encounter them, and whether there is a family history of asthma or allergies. In addition, your lifestyle, exposure to allergens, or smoking or other form of passive smoking might be asked for.
2. Physical Exam
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The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your chest and check for signs of wheezing or other abnormal breathing sounds.
3. Spirometry (Pulmonary Function Test)
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It measures how much air you can breathe in and how much air you can breathe out, as well as the rate at which you breathe out. This can help confirm asthma as a potential cause of your symptoms, as well as assess the function of your lungs.
4. Peak Flow Measurement
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A peak flow meter is a small device that can measure how fast you can exhale air. This tool keeps track of asthma over time and even picks up on early warning signs of an asthma attack.
5. Allergy Testing
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If the doctor thinks that allergies are the major culprits behind your asthma, they can advise for allergy testing. Skin tests or blood tests can be conducted to find out which particular allergens are behind the symptoms.
6. Chest X-ray
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Sometimes chest X-ray is required to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms as asthma; this might include infections or lung diseases.
What are the treatments for Asthma
While asthma can’t be cured, it can be managed effectively with the right treatment. Treatment usually involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes to keep symptoms under control.
1. Medications for Asthma
Asthma Medications are divided into two parts: long-term control medications and quick-relief medications.
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Quick-Relief (Rescue) Medications: These are drugs that help in providing quick relief at the time of an asthma attack. The muscles covering your airways relax the patient. The most common quick-relief medication is albuterol, which is delivered through an inhaler.
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Long-Term Control Medications: These are usually administered to avoid asthma symptoms and inflammation in your airways on a regular basis. Amongst the most common long-term medications are:
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Inhaled Corticosteroids: These drugs prevent inflammation in the airways and thus asthma attacks.
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Leukotriene Modifiers: These reduce inflammation and are available as pill formulations.
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Long-Acting Beta-Agonists (LABAs): These drugs make the airways open for an extended period. They are often prescribed with corticosteroids.
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Biologic Medications: Biologic medications target specific parts of the immune system to suppress inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms in patients with severe asthma.
2. Inhalers
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Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs): They deliver medication in a mist form.
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Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs): They provide medication in a powder form. Inhalers should be correctly used so that the drug is delivered to the lungs. Your doctor or nurse will also demonstrate the correct use of the inhalers.
3. Allergy Treatments
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If allergies constitute a major trigger, antihistamines or allergy shots (immunotherapy) may reduce the frequency of asthma attacks.
4. Asthma Medication in Emergency Patients
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If an asthma attack is very severe and after medications, the patient remains the same, then emergency care is required. This can involve oxygen, IV liquids, or oral steroids.
What Diet Should we Consume in Asthma
There's no such thing as an "asthma diet," but a healthy, balanced diet is recommended to help improve lung function and reduce inflammation. Here are general guidelines on eating:
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Fruits and Vegetables: Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce inflammation in the body and support your immune system. Foods like oranges, berries, and leafy greens are especially helpful.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Foods high in omega-3s, such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds, have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce asthma symptoms.
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Avoid Food Triggers: Some foods can trigger asthma symptoms. Common food triggers include sulfites (found in wine and dried fruits) and dairy products.
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Vitamin D: Studies have shown that vitamin D may help control asthma. Foods like eggs, fortified milk, and fatty fish are good sources of vitamin D.
What Exercise Should we do in Asthma
Regular exercises are always important for the well-being of persons with asthma, though it is difficult sometimes. Exercise can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms-though often, it usually has to do with cold air or over-exercise. People with asthma can safely exercise if enough precautions are taken.
1. Choose the Right Exercise
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Activities like walking, swimming, and cycling are usually easier on the lungs than high-impact exercises like running or playing sports. Swimming is particularly beneficial because the warm, humid air in indoor pools is less likely to trigger asthma symptoms.
2. Warm-Up and Cool Down
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Always warm up before exercise and cool down afterward. This helps prevent sudden asthma flare-ups during physical activity.
3. Use Your Inhaler
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Use your rescue inhaler before exercising according to your physician's advice to avoid worsening of symptoms.
How to Prevent Asthma Attacks
Though you may not prevent asthma from occurring, sometimes you can reduce the number and severity of asthma attacks by taking the following measures:
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Avoid Triggers: Identify and avoid your asthma triggers. This may include avoiding allergies such as pollen or dust, staying out of smoking, or wearing a scarf during the cold weather.
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Take Medications Regularly: Even if you feel well, you should take your long-term medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms and lung function so you can notice early signs of an asthma attack. Your doctor may recommend using a peak flow meter at home.
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Get Vaccinated: Respiratory infections, such as the flu, can exacerbate asthma, so vaccination can reduce your risk.
Which Specialist Can Treat Asthma?
If you think that you have asthma, see your primary care physician who can assess your symptoms and refer you to the pulmonologist (lung specialist) or to an allergist (specialist in allergies and asthma). These doctors would be able to perform a more advanced diagnosis and aid with the management of your asthma symptoms.
Asthma is a controllable disease, and you really don't have to let it dictate your daily life. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, people with asthma can work to control the disease and prevent flare-ups. Taking medications regularly, a healthy diet, avoiding triggers, and an active lifestyle make a big difference in successfully managing asthma. Always follow through with your doctor or specialist to create a tailored treatment plan that suits your needs. But with the right approach, a person with asthma can lead a full and healthy life.
Note: The above information is a general guidance on how to navigate through Asthma. Before taking any key health-related decision, please refer to a specialist. To book a consultation, call us at 080 3538 3051.