Asthma- Everything you need to Know About

Asthma is a medical condition in which breathing becomes difficult and triggers coughing. Your airways become narrow and start producing extra mucus. 

This disease reveals itself when the lining of your airways swell and the muscles surrounding them become tightened. This, in turn, limits the flow of air through the airways. 

While some people may pass this ailment as a minor nuisance, it is a major issue that can hamper your daily life activities and lead your life towards a lethal asthma attack. 

Therefore, it is crucial to identify and treat even common asthma attacks to prevent any serious cases in the future.

 

Causes 

Causes of this disease are mostly due to the combination of environmental and inherited (genetic) factors. Read on to know about the causes of asthma. 

1.Stress and anxiety
2.Physical activity
3.Cold air
4.Common cold
5.Airborne irritants like dust mites, pet dander, etc.
6.GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, in which stomach acid throws up to your throat
7.Smoking

Moreover, in certain situations, your asthma signals can get flared up. 

1.Allergic asthma, prompted by air-borne substances like mould spores, pollen, etc.
2.Occupational asthma, generated by workplace nuisances such as gas, dust, chemical fertilisers, etc.
3.Exercise induced asthma, triggered even by a few minutes of exercising, especially in a cold and dry atmosphere. 

 

Symptoms

Many symptoms for this Desease are non-specific and can be noticed in other medical conditions as well. They also vary from one individual to another. Moreover, you may have asthma symptoms at a specific time or most of the time. 

Signs include: 

1.Chest tightness
2.Shortness in breath
3.Wheezing while exhaling
4.Anxiousness or panic
5.Lethargy
6.Difficulty in speaking

If you experience the signs mentioned below, then your asthma may be worsening:

1.More frequent symptoms
2.Using inhaler more often than normal

 

Diagnoses 

No single test can determine whether you are suffering from asthma. Instead, your doctor will implement different tests to rule out whether the symptoms are associated with asthma or not. 

Here is a rundown of various such criteria for diagnosing this Desease. 

Physical tests: It includes checking out your breathing with a stethoscope or may suggest you to undergo Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) or spirometry test. Or, you may have to undertake a skin test to look for allergic symptoms, like eczema. 

Health history: Your asthma may also be linked with a genetic condition. Consult a doctor immediately if your family members are infected with a breathing disorder. 

Some other additional tests include: 

Imaging test: This test deals with taking out a chest X-ray, which can help recognise any structural abnormalities or infections, that can flare up your breathing problems. 

Provocative testing: This test involves measuring your airway hindrance prior to and after you perform rigorous exercise or inhale cold air.  

Methacholine test: If you inhale it, your airways can become slightly narrow. If you react to methacholine, you’ll probably have asthma. 

Nitric oxide test: It deals with measuring the quantity of nitric oxide gas in your breath. Although, this test isn’t widely popular nor available. 

Treatments

There are several medications available for treatment for asthma. Your specialist may prescribe you either one or several treatments based on: 

• How old are you? 
• Your asthma triggers
• The type of asthma

Treatments for quick relief: These solutions are helpful in the event of the symptoms, as they provide short-term relief and help you breathe properly. 

First aid asthma treatment: In case of an asthma attack, sit upright and use your nebulizer or rescue inhaler. Two to five puffs are enough to ease your asthma symptoms and signs. 

Bronchodilators: They provide relief within minutes and relax the muscles around your airwaves.  

Treatment for long-term solutions: The medications mentioned below can assist you to lower the number and sternness of your symptoms. Check them out. 

Biologic therapy drugs: These are injectable medications that are helpful in serious case. 

Anticholinergics: These medications are useful to reduce the tightness of muscles around your airwaves. 

Anti-inflammatories: These are well-suited to reduce mucus and swelling in your airwaves, allowing you to breathe easily and significantly reduces the hyper-responsiveness of the bronchial tree. 

Long-acting bronchodilators: They help in opening up of the bronchioles & acts synergistically with the anti-inflammatory to relieve the symptoms. 

 

If you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing chances are these symptoms can be associated with asthma. Hence, you should let your doctor know. 

Neotia Getwel Healthcare centre can assist you to find the best treatment for asthmatic attack. Book your appointment here.