Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting more than 260 million people worldwide, according to data provided by the World Health Organization. Asthma triggers inflammation and narrowing of airways in the lungs and leads to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
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Even though asthma may be mild or even fatal, it is a treatable condition with appropriate care and proper therapy.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term health condition that affects your airways, which are the tubes that carry air to your lungs. When a person has asthma, their airways become swollen and narrower, so it is harder to breathe. This can cause wheezing, coughing, a tight chest, and shortness of breath. Asthma can be different for each person, and its severity can vary.
There are two main types of asthma: chronic and acute.
1. Chronic asthma is characterised by persistent symptoms and ongoing management.
2. Acute asthma is an episodic exacerbation of signs and symptoms, more often caused by a cold or an allergen, and potentially more severe but usually short-lived.
What Causes Asthma?
The etiology of asthma is a mix of genetic and environmental factors:
Genetics and Family History
Increased risk is present if asthma or allergies are found in your family.
Common Environmental Triggers:
Pollen, dust mites, mould, pet dander, and air pollution can irritate your airways
Respiratory Infections & Occupational Exposure:
Asthma can be triggered or worsened by colds or flu, or working with chemicals and dust (i.e., construction).
Association with Allergies (Atopic Asthma):
Allergies to pollen, pets, or dust can cause your immune system to inflame the airways.
Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Symptoms of asthma vary in each case, but there are a few characteristic signs to look out for:
Classic Symptoms
- Shortness of Breath: You might feel like you can not get enough air, especially during physical activity or at night.
- Wheezing: A whistling noise when breathing out, the noise is like a piercing whistle.
- Chest Tightness: This refers to a sense of squeezing or pressure in the chest.
- Coughing: The coughing in asthma is more common at nighttime or early morning hours and is more noticeable when exposed to irritants.
Symptom Patterns
Some people have their signs in a patterned way, such as:
- Symptoms of asthma are generally most intense at night.
- Exercise-induced Asthma: The symptoms can be triggered or worsened by physical exertion.
Early Warning Signs of an Asthma Flare-up
Even before a full-blown asthma attack happens, you experience some warning signs:
- Increased Coughing: Especially at night or after physical activity.
- Wheezing: Wheezing more often may be an indicator of an impending flare-up.
- Tightness in the Chest: This can be a sign of the onset of narrowing of the airways.
- Shortness of Breath: If it is a regular feature to be short of breath earlier than usual, it is a warning to take heed.
How to Act at the First Sign of Trouble
If you notice early warning signs, this is what to do:
- Use Your Inhaler: If you have a rescue inhaler (bronchodilator), use it as directed.
- Stay Calm: Panic can make breathing harder. Try to stay calm and breathe slowly.
- Avoid Triggers: Get away from whatever is causing your symptoms, whether it is cold air, smoke, or exercise.
- Monitor Symptoms: Record how you’re feeling and when you last used your inhaler. If it becomes worse, seek medical help.
Asthma Treatment Options
Both controlling asthma symptoms and preventing flare-ups are important in managing asthma. The treatments differ according to how severe your asthma is, but below is a review of the most popular treatments.
1. Quick-Relief (Rescue) Inhalers:
They are fast-acting medications that are used to relieve an asthma attack or an asthma flare-up. They relax muscles around the airways to improve breathing. Salbutamol (Ventolin): A common rescue inhaler that relaxes the muscles in the airways to help with breathing.
2. Long-Term Control Medications:
These are taken on a daily basis to control asthma and avoid flare-ups.
- Inhaled Corticosteroids: They reduce inflammation in the airways and make them less sensitive to triggers. They tend to be the first line of asthma treatment.
- Long-Acting Beta-Agonists (LABAs): They are bronchodilators that keep the airways open for a long time and are sometimes prescribed along with inhaled
- Symbicort: A combined drug with a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator to treat asthma.
- Seretide: Another combination inhaler containing a steroid and long-acting bronchodilator to manage symptoms over time.
3. Leukotriene Modifiers
These drugs decrease inflammation and are used to prevent allergic-induced asthma. They work by interfering with the action or synthesis of leukotrienes, which are inflammatory mediators involved in bronchoconstriction, mucus secretion, and airway inflammation.
4. Biologic Therapies for Severe Asthma:
For people with severe or hard-to-control asthma, a biologic treatment (such as omalizumab) might be a possibility. These are targeted medicines that work to prevent the individual molecules responsible for inflammation.
5. Immunotherapy in Select Cases:
For those whose asthma is triggered by specific allergens, immunotherapy (allergy shots or tablets) can help build a tolerance to those allergens over time, reducing symptoms.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Knowing when to seek emergency care is important. Be aware of these signs:
Warning Signs of Poor Control:
- Worsening Symptoms: If your symptoms are getting worse even when taking medication.
- Difficulty Speaking: Difficulty speaking in full sentences
- Blue Lips or Face: Suggests insufficient oxygen supply and demands urgent care.
Role of Allergists, Pulmonologists, and GPs.
Your GP can help manage asthma, but a specialist like an allergist or pulmonologist may be needed for more severe cases.
Regular Reviews and Monitoring
Regular check-ups and using tools like a peak flow meter will help keep your asthma under control and ensure your treatment plan is working.
The Bottom Line
Asthma is controllable with effective care. Take quick-relief and long-term medication, stay away from triggers, and get check-ups on a routine basis to keep it in check. Early detection and preventive care are important.
Transtoyou brings you in touch with doctors for convenient, remote asthma care. For prescriptions or guidance, we provide safe and convenient access to health care at home.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is intended for informational purposes and not as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare provider for specific questions about your health.
