How does Asthma happen? Allergies and environmental factors may cause your immune system to attack your own healthy cells as a defensive action. This is known as an allergic response. Depending on the substances that trigger the allergic response, an individual may experience an itchy nose, runny nose, or mild sneezing as well as hives, watery eyes, or coughing as a result of their reaction. In some cases, it may become severe and cause shortness of breath and chest pain as well as wheezing. This is known as asthmatic bronchial sensitivity (ABC). You can have asthma if you have symptoms of the condition at any time in your life even if you weren’t exposed to any triggering agents. However, if you have continued symptoms after three exposures to specific triggers such as animal dander, mold spores, dust mites or household chemicals then there’s a good chance that you do have asthma.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the airways of the lung, causing signs and symptoms that may include coughing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. Asthma can occur at any age, but it is more common in children than in adults. According to the National Institute of Health, roughly 35 million people in the United States have asthma. About 10 million of those people are believed to have severe asthma, which is characterized by frequent asthma episodes that require use of asthma medications. Asthma affects people of all races and ethnic groups; however, some groups are at greater risk for developing the disease than others. Certain factors that increase your risk of asthma include genetics, race, gender, environment, and certain medical conditions.
Types of Asthma
There are two types of asthma. In persistent or persistent bronchial asthma, the airways of the lung are abnormally constricted. In this type of asthma, the airways produce excess mucus production that can plug the airways. This can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and feeling like you have to breathe through a straw. In intermittent asthma, the airways are mildly constricted most of the time. Your lungs are still producing mucus, but not to a noticeable level. This type of asthma is referred to as episodic because the signs and symptoms tend to occur suddenly without warning.
Causes of Asthma
In some cases, asthma can be caused by allergies. Allergic reactions are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking normally harmless substances like dust, pollen, or latex in the air causing the lungs to become inflamed and produce excess mucus. Other causes of asthma include: – Genetics: Genetics play a role in about half of all cases of asthma. While most people with asthma have inherited a susceptibility to developing the condition, it can also occur for no known reason. – Environmental factors: Many things can trigger an asthma attack. These triggers include dust mites, pets like cats or dogs, certain foods, stress, and even exercise can trigger an attack. – Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions such as severe allergies and viral infections may cause asthma. – Certain medications: Certain medications can cause asthma. These include corticosteroids used to treat certain medical conditions and certain asthma medications like certain beta-agonists. – Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the body produces significantly more mucus in the airways, making it more difficult to breathe. – Smoking: Smoking constricts the airways, making it harder to breathe. – Heavy Alcohol Use: Too much alcohol can cause significant changes in the airways, including the development of airway hyper-responsiveness, which can make it easier for allergens to trigger an asthma attack. – Obesity: Obese individuals are more likely to develop asthma due to changes in the airways. – Sleep Disordered Breathing: Sleep disordered breathing, or SDB, is a condition in which the muscles in the throat and mouth relax and contract during sleep, causing the individual to get out of breath while they sleep.
Symptoms of Asthma
Symptoms of asthma may include: – Excessive mucus production that blocks airways and interferes with breathing – Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness – Coughing, which can produce pink or blood-streaked sputum – A runny or stuffy nose – Headaches – Drowsiness – Fatigue Depending on the severity of your asthma, symptoms may occur daily or only once every few months. In mild cases, asthma simply causes coughing and a stuffy nose. In more severe cases, asthma can cause shortness of breath and chest tightness, which can lead to a heart attack or a pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).
How to Know if You Have Asthma
There are many ways to tell if you have asthma. If you have frequent asthma attacks, you should see your doctor. If you have symptoms that occur with certain factors, such as exercise, or if you have a family history of asthma, you may want to see your doctor about the possibility of having asthma. Your doctor may conduct a physical examination and perform a health history to help determine if you have asthma. You can also perform a self-assessment to help you determine if you have asthma. During your assessment, note whether you have any of the following symptoms: – Chest tightness – Shortness of breath – Wheezing – A cough that produces pink or blood-streaked sputum – A runny or stuffy nose – Headaches – Drowsiness – Fatigue
Treatment for Asthma
There is no cure for asthma. However, physicians can treat the symptoms of asthma and improve your quality of life. The goal of asthma treatment is to prevent asthma attacks. Your physician may advise you to take medications to prevent asthma, inhale a bronchodilator (such as albuterol) while you are having an asthma attack, or perform daily self-management techniques such as using an asthma inhaler correctly and keeping your symptoms in control. There are many types of asthma medications that are used to prevent asthma attacks and treat asthma symptoms. The most common types of asthma medications include: – Long-acting bronchodilators – Short-acting bronchodilators – Beta-agonists – Antimicrobial – Immunotherapy – Steroid – Antihistamine
Self Care Strategies for Asthma Sufferers
Stay as active as possible – While it may be difficult to stay active when you have asthma, your condition can improve with regular activity. Use an asthma inhaler correctly – Asthma inhaler medication only works when it is used properly. If you aren’t sure how to use your inhaler, ask your doctor or nurse for help. Know the warning signs of an asthma attack – If you experience any of the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack, get to a doctor immediately. Keep your reliever inhaler with you – If you have asthma and use an inhaler, you’ll need to carry it with you at all times. Keep your medication nearby – If you have asthma, be sure to keep your medication close by. Don’t let your medication get too far away from you, even if you are going to the bathroom.
Conclusion
Asthma is a serious condition that can be difficult to manage. While it is largely due to an abnormal response from your immune system, there are things you can do to help prevent an attack. Making sure you are active, using an inhaler correctly, and keeping your medication nearby can help you breathe easier.
