WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ASTHMA?

WHAT IS ASTHMA?

Many people find asthma to be a minor nuisance. Chronic conditions
of asthma may often lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

Let’s understand Asthma in detail. 

What are the symptoms of Asthma?

Symptoms of asthma differ from one person to another. Here we list
the symptoms of asthma:

Asthma symptoms

• Shortness
  of breath
• Chest
  tightness
• Wheezing
  (causes a whistling sound when you exhale)
• Sleeping
  Troubles (caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing)
• Coughing attacks
  that worsen during cough or flu.

What are the signs that predict your asthma is worsening?

Signs that predict your asthma is probably worsening are:

• Experiencing
  more frequent signs and symptoms of asthma
• Increased
  difficulty in breathing  
• Using
  quick-relief inhaler for more often times

What are the Causes of Asthma?

The exact cause of asthma is unknown. But some of the causes that
are Asthma triggers are as follows:

• Respiratory
  infections (Common cold)
• Physical
  activity
• Airborne
  allergens (such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores)
• Cold
  air
• Air
  pollutants
• Certain
  medications (Aspirin, Advil, Motrin IB, etc.) 
• Stress
• Gastroesophageal
  reflux disease (GERD).

What are the risk factors and complications?

Risk factors:

There are several factors that increase your chances of developing
asthma. They are:

• Genes
  (having a blood relative with asthma)
• Allergic
  conditions (atopic dermatitis, itchy skin)
• Overweight
• Smoking
• Exposure
  to pollution
• Exposure
  to chemicals used in farming.

What are the types of Asthma?

Types of Asthma include:

Childhood Asthma:  Asthma is very common in children. 

According to research associations common triggers of asthma in
children include:

• Allergens
• Respiratory
  infections
• Cigarette
  smoke
• Sudden
  changes in temperature
• Stress
• Exercise
• Exposure
  to cold air

It is very essential to seek medications if you find these
symptoms in children. 

Adult Asthma: Asthma can develop at any age even
if you are an adult or a child. Major risk factors triggering asthma are:

• Obesity
• Genes
• Respiratory
  illness
• Exposure
  to allergens
• Smoking
• Stress

Occupational Asthma: It is
very evident from the name that this type is based on occupation. Allergens
found in the workplace such as in bakeries, flour mills, pet shops, laboratories
where animals are present, kitchens, etc. may cause asthma. 

Also, people who smoke are at a high risk of developing
asthma. 

Complications

Complications of Asthma include:

• Sick
  days from work during an asthma
• Symptoms
  interfering with sleep
• Permanent
  narrowing of bronchial tubes ( they carry air to or from your lungs)
• Severe
  asthma attacks
• Side
  effects from long-term use of some medications

What is its Diagnosis?

An asthma diagnosis is based on your medical history, a physical
exam, and results from diagnostic tests. 

Diagnostic tests include:

• Pulmonary
  function tests
• Bronchoprovocation
  tests
• Spirometry
  with bronchodilator tests
• Peak
  expiratory flow (PEF) tests
• Blood
  tests
• Fractional
  exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) tests.

What is the Prevention of Asthma?

Asthma attacks can be prevented by taking care of few points:

• You
  should follow your asthma action plan. Plan yourself for taking medications properly in time. Start monitoring the on-going conditions of asthma. 

• Get
  vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia.

•  Vaccinating yourself can prevent flu and pneumonia from triggering asthma flare-ups.

• You
  should learn to monitor your breathing by recognizing symptoms of cough,
  wheezing, or shortness of breath. You can measure your breathing rate by a
  device called a peak flow meter. 

• Avoid
  asthma triggers by finding out the cause that worsens your asthma. 

• Don’t
  wait for your condition to be worsened. If you identify the symptoms as early as possible then you might likely have severe attacks.

• Take
  your medicines on time without skipping them. Do not change your medications if you see improvements in yourself. Consult your doctor so that he can make sure you’re using your medications correctly and taking the right dose.

• Consult
  doctors if you are using inhalers many times.

When to consult a doctor?

• Immediately
  rush to your doctor if you find signs such as:

• Instant
  worsening of shortness of breath
• No
  relief even while using inhalers. 

• If
  you find coughing or wheezing for many days, see your doctor. If you treat
  your asthma as early as possible you will be able to prevent your lungs from
  long-term damage. 
• Have
  a regular routine check-up by consulting your doctor. Monitoring and taking good care of yourself can prevent severe asthma attacks. 
• When
  you find that your asthma symptoms are worsening rush to your doctor.
  Don’t take more medication than prescribed without consulting your doctor first. By doing so you may find side effects and further may experience worsened conditions of asthma. 

  

Thus, Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and
swell, further causing difficulty to breathe and shortness of breath. 

Opting for effective medications and treatment can make you lead a
healthy life even with asthma. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1.How to treat Asthma effectively?

The best treatment starts with, looking for the best physician who
cares for the patient, at least, as much as he cares for the disease.

The use of steroids should be strictly restricted. 

2.If you have asthma symptoms from
reflux, will inhalers help?

Although asthma can be triggered by food protein allergens coming
from gastric reflux, it would be better to find a doctor first to have yourself
treated with gastric reflux. You must treat or avoid the cause first so that it
would not frequently reoccur. In other words, treating asthma without treating
the cause would keep asthma from coming back.

 

Inhaler therapy or controllers are usually given along with
bronchodilator therapy. So, better go back to your doctor and have yourself
checked.

3.How do you stop an asthma attack
without an inhaler?

The cure for asthma is mainly done through medicines but some of
the natural methods which can relieve you from asthma without an inhaler are:

• Eucalyptus
  oil: It opens up nasal blockage for easy breathing.
• Mustard
  Oil: Mustard oil combined with camphor is the best combination for
  providing quiet relief.
• Ginger:
  Ginger is beneficial for your body and health. It is considered to be a
  superfood and is good for asthma.
• Figs:
  Figs are the best home remedy for asthma.  
• Omega-3
  fatty acids: They are very useful in managing inflammatory conditions. It treats almost all the conditions including depression, seasonal affective disorder, depression, heart disease along with asthma.