Asthma

Asthma is a chronic medical condition in which the airways swell up, causing breathlessness and tightness in the chest. As of now, there is no complete cure available for Asthma but the symptoms can be controlled with proper treatment.In this condition, the bronchial tubes (branches of the windpipe) become inflamed and extremely irritated resulting in restricted air supply to the lungs. Asthma can also be triggered by an allergic reaction, often during season change. Some of the common allergens include pollen or mold spores. While for some people battling with this chronic respiratory disease can be a minor inconvenience, it can result in serious complications and life- asthma attack in others. There are different types of asthma and understanding what kind of asthma you have, can enable you to seek better treatment options. Some of the most common types of asthma include: 1. Allergic asthma Allergy is one of the leading causes of asthma and is also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever. Allergies and asthma can often occur together. Infact, the same allergens which trigger allergic rhinitis can also aggravate asthma. Anything from a strong smell, pollen, dust, mites, molds, to smoke and fumes can result in asthma symptoms. If you have allergic asthma, your airways tighten in response to certain allergens, making it harder for you to breathe properly. 2. Childhood asthma Asthma in children can become more severe as their airways get easily inflamed during seasonal changes. While some kids may experience mild symptoms daily, others may suffer from extreme symptoms and heightened sensitivity to allergens. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “children were more likely to have one or more routine office visits, emergency department visits, and urgent care visits for asthma.”3. Seasonal asthma As the name suggests, seasonal asthma gets aggravated during seasonal changes. The onset of winter and autumn might trigger seasonal asthma in many asthma patients. In addition to pollens and mold, environmental pollution can also trigger asthma. Heavy air pollution can cause an allergic reaction and asthma symptoms. 4.Cough-variant asthma In this type of asthma, severe and persistent cough is the predominant symptom. If you are experiencing non-stop coughing, which does not seem to be getting better with regular medications, it is a possibility that it is because of sinusitis asthma. The coughing with asthma can occur during both daytime and night time.5.Exercised-induced asthmaIf you experience breathlessness after working out, it might be the result of physical exertion or exercising. You may feel that it is getting difficult to breathe after you begin exercising. The symptoms may begin a few minutes after you start working out or five to ten minutes after you are done exercising.

Cause & Symptoms

Asthma signs and symptoms vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms of asthma include:

1.Tightness in the chest

2.Shortness of breath

3.Wheezing

4.Coughing and wheezing attack

5. Coughing at night

It is important to note that any asthma symptom if left treated, may turn fatal. This is why it is important to pay attention to symptoms to get timely medical help. Asthma symptoms can appear at any age and can affect a person’s ability to participate in day-to-day activities.

Here are some of the symptoms that your asthma is getting worse:

1. Frequent breathlessness

2. You reach out for your inhaler a lot more often

3. Shortness of breath after doing minimal physical activity

Prevention & Myths

While there is no sure shot way of preventing asthma, there are certain things, you must keep in mind to get your symptoms under control:

1. Don’t miss out on your medications

Work with your doctor to understand the best treatment plan to keep your symptoms under control. In addition to taking your medications on time (if subscribed any), make it a point to regularly monitor your condition.

2. Identify your triggers

If you have allergic asthma, it is important that you strictly avoid potential allergens which may irritate your airways and cause inflammation. Anything from pollen, dust mites, dust particles to cold air can cause asthma flare-ups.

3. Check how you are breathing

Pay attention to how frequently you are using SOS inhaler and how quickly you get short of breath and/or start wheezing. Find out what causes your asthma or makes it worse and keep a check on the same.

4. Get vaccinated

It is important to get vaccinations for influenza and pneumonia to ensure that you do not catch the flu or cold. Do your best to stay healthy and avoid close contact with cold or flu patients.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-a-z/asthma/params/diseasearticle/cat-cause-symptoms/msid-71203697