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All About Asthma Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
asthma is a lung disease where the airways are blocked. Severe asthma can lead to asthma attacks also. This chronic condition of asthma doesnβt go away but can be treated. World widely, approx 300 million people currently suffer from this chronic. Asthma is not that much danger in its early stages but can lead to death if left untreated.
Overview
Table of Contents
Asthma is a state in which a personβs air passing canal gets swollen and narrow which produces mucus in a large amount making it very hard to breathe. The stage of asthma decides the amount of pain and problem one suffers from. For a few patients, it is minor and problems occur only sometimes but for a few, it is a severe disease.
Asthma attack β
The following three cases can lead to an asthma attacks β
Bronchospasm β muscles around the airways are tightened are air can not be passed Freely
Inflammation β swollen linings that block the airway canal.
Mucus production β mucus produced that clogs the airways.
If the following things are visible in one, he/she may be asthmatic β
Not every asthmatic have same symptoms , but if one finds some them or majority of them in themselves , yes it is the case of asthma –
β’ Shortness of breathing while waking in the morning or sleeping during the night.
β’ Often flared up chest pressure.
β’ Suffering from certain respiratory infections.
β’ Dry cough with phlegm.
β’ Paled face, lips and fingernails.
β’ The ribs pull inward when breathing.
Asthma treatment started at an early stage is far more beneficial than at a severe stage. Visit your doctor if the following symptoms are visible β
Symptoms
βοΈ Problem with breathing
βοΈ Chest pain
βοΈWheezing while exhaling
βοΈ Pain while coughing
βοΈDry cough
βοΈ Rapid breathing or shortness of breathing
βοΈ Early awakening
βοΈ Increased BP or heart rate
βοΈ Throat itching
βοΈChest tightening mostly and breathing problems, especially during the night or early morning
βοΈ Bluish skin
βοΈ Difficulty in speaking, walking, running, etc
Right time to visit a doctor
You need medical treatment right when you are aware of the unconscious symptoms that is grabbing your health. If delayed, will make your asthma even worse. Concern your doctor for diagnosis as soon as possible when you think you suffer from asthma.Β
Categorisation of asthma β
very mild symptoms that recover within two weeks. Few asthma attacks can be found in this.
asthma attacks would affect but can be recovered within few months
Β Affect the daily activities and nighttime attacks can also be found.Β
frequent symptoms can be seen during the whole day as well. As in the nights. One in this category needs to limit their work for avoiding death
What are the causes of asthma?
Asthma is not the result of one cause, it depends on many factors and the reason varies from person to person. It includes β
β’ Exposure to excess pollution and dirt
β’ Viral Respiratory infections sinusitis, flu and others
β’ Tobacco smoking
β’ Eradicated to certain kinds of allergies
β’ Certain intake of medications like painkillers and others
β’ Parental history or genetics
β’ Premature birth or birth by caesarean sections
β’ Excessive laughter
β’ Stress and excess anger and shouting issue
β’ Excessive weightlifting can also be a cause
β’ Always Playing empty stomach
β’ Overweight
β’ Weather changes
β’ Gastroesophageal reflux disease is also a cause of it
β’ Contacting certain kinds of food preservatives pickles, juices, wines etc.
Complications β
Complications for asthma include –
βοΈ Permanent narrowing of bronchial tubes
βοΈ Fatigue
βοΈRespiratory failure
βοΈ Lung atelectasis
βοΈDehydration
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What are the risk factors for asthma?
Asthma is more likely to affect someone who β
β’ Your sex β boys are more likely to get affected by asthma than girls.
β’ Your race β asthma in the majority affects African and Americans
β’ Your genetics
β’ Your other body issues
Asthma control β
Asthma control includes the following β
β’ You have very mild symptoms of asthma
β’ You do not need to limit your work activities and can do everything finely
β’ You need an inhaler in a rare case
β’ You wake up and sleep without asthma attacks
How to prevent asthma
Since it is unpreventable, steps and measures can be taken to get rid of asthma attacks β
β’ Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia
β’ Monitor your breathing flow
β’ Get aware of your triggers and avoid them
β’ Get a proper plan with the help of your doctor
β’ Quit smoking if you do
β’ Make necessary diet changes
β’ Observe increased quick-relief inhaler use
How do doctors diagnose asthma?
The specialists start with physical exams, study the medical history of the patients including their parents and examine certain other tests. They may include –
β’ Spirometry β This is a breathing test that measures the rate of air how absorbed, the time taken and the speed of it.
β’ Peak flow β it measures your lung capacity to push air.
β’ Ct scanners
β’ Certain allergy tests β blood tests, skin tests, and others.
β’ Sputum eosinophils β it tests the high level of white blood cells that are thrown out when you cough.
β’ Exhaled nitric oxide test and methacholine challenge
β’ Chest x-rays β scans your lungs and sinuses and determine your physical status and diseases of it.
What are certain myths created regarding asthma
Answer β no, it cannot be cured but managed.
Answer β no, symptoms vary from person to person but few symptoms are the same in all
Answer β false, exercising is even more beneficial if done in a proper way.
Answer β no, they are all time beneficial, safe and necessary to take.
Answer β it is rare but cases have come where it is fatal.
How long does it take to treat asthma?
Answer β it varies from person to person and the stage at which they are. Generally, it takes a few weeks or a few months or even years. Asthma can be reduced and managed but is not 100% curable.
What are the treatments available for asthma?
Asthma treatments include βΒ
β’ Inhaled corticosteroids β this medication is really helpful in asthma control. They prevent swelling and remove the excess mucus that is the root cause. Inhalers are used for this medicine intake. Beclomethasone and budesonide are some of them.
β’ Leukotriene modifiers β this is a long term asthma medication that triggers asthma. Concern your doctor about its dosage.
β’ Oral and intravenous corticosteroids β it is a rescue inhaler during asthma attacks. They can also be directly injected into the veins.
β’ Long-acting beta-agonists and theophylline
β’ Short-acting beta-agonists and anticholinergics
β’ Combination inhalers can also be provided if needed
β’ Biologic medications like omalizumab and certain drugs like mepolizumab, benralizumab, etc. are available
β’ Changes in lifestyle β eating a healthy diet, exercising on a regular basis, avoiding asthma triggers and other such home remedies can also help to a greater extent.
Frequently asked questions β
There is no cure for asthma but still, it is manageable by certain therapies and medications.
β’ People born up in urban areas
β’ Overweight children and adults
β’ Women are more in the population who have asthma
Asthma is of different kinds. Allergic asthma is also there where allergies combine to form asthma. But it would be unfair to say that asthma is an allergy only.
No such evidence is proven that show any connection between milk and asthma.
It depends on many factors. The way you sleep, room temperature, medication effects and many other factors are a cause of it. Concern your doctor for the information of right reason of yours.
No such evidence is proven that show any connection between milk and asthma.
Yes, you need to take medications but not the same as moderate or severe one. You need to visit your doctor for the right medication for your stage, dosage and duration.
You can donate blood if you are in a mild stage of asthma. Although, if you are on an active stage, then the answer is a big no as it would affect you as well as the other to whom you are donating.
Yes, you should take asthma medication during pregnancy also as it will control your disease and is safer for your baby also…
you should continue to do regular exercise but make sure you do not do too much tough exercise at the beginning.
