Asthma is a condition that affects both children and adults. Inflammation occurred in the muscles that surround the airways that result in narrowing the air passage. Difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and chest tightening are the most common symptoms of asthma.
What are the causes of asthma? (1)
Different factors are associated with the cause of asthma. It is somehow difficult to find the exact cause that result in asthma. Few causes of asthma are listed below:
- You can develop asthma if you are living with a close relative or family member suffering from asthma for a very long time.
- You are at risk of developing asthma if you have other allergic conditions such as eczema and rhinitis.
- People living in urban areas are at high risk of developing asthma due to lifestyle changes.
- If your lungs got affected in the developing age you are at high risk of developing this condition. Conditions include premature birth, low weight at the time of birth, exposure to cigarette smoke, exposure to air pollution, or respiratory viral infections.
- If you are exposed to environmental IRRITANTS or POLLUTANTS, it puts you at high risk of developing asthma. These pollutants involve air pollution indoor or outdoor, dust mites in the house, molds, or you get exposed toxic pollutants at the workplace for a longer period.
- If children or adults are obese they are at high risk of developing asthma at a very early age.
What are the signs and symptoms of asthma?
Adults and children with asthma usually feel difficulty in inhaling and exhaling if they have a severe condition. Some common signs and symptoms of asthma are:
- Wheezing ( when you breathe whistle sound is produced)
- Breathlessness
- Coughing
- Chest tightening- you may feel a tight band around your chest.
These symptoms are similar to many other conditions but if you have asthma you will feel the symptoms below:
- Symptoms will happen often and come back on and off
- Symptoms are worse at night and in the early morning
- You will find the trigger such as exercise or any allergy that flares up the symptoms.
You should immediately visit your general practitioner if you or your children find it hard to control the symptoms.
Asthma Attack:
When asthma gets worst for a while it is called an asthma attack. Asthma attacks might happen gradually or suddenly after some days.
Severe asthma attack has the following signs and symptoms:
- Fainting
- Constant and severe wheezing and coughing
- Severe chest tightness
- Feels difficulty in breathing while eating, sleeping or, or speaking
- Breathing becomes faster
- Heartbeat is very fast
- Confusion and exhaustion
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Fingers and lips turned blue.
Who is at risk for asthma?
Asthma can affect people of all ages but it is mostly found in children. Factors involved in increasing the risk of asthma are:
- If you are exposed to secondhand smoke:
It might happen when your mother was pregnant with you and she smokes. It can also happen when you were a small kid.
- Being exposed to certain chemicals or substances at work:
The risk of developing asthma is higher if you are exposed to chemical irritants or dust at your workplace
- Genetics and family history:
If you live with a family member who already had asthma, then the risk of developing asthma increases.
- Race or ethnicity:
Black people and American Africans are more likely to develop asthma than people of other races or ethnicity. Puerto Ricans also develop asthma faster than people of other nations.
- Having other medical conditions:
If you have a certain allergy or you are overweight, chances of developing asthma are higher in you.
- Having viral respiratory Infections:
If you had different respiratory infections during your childhood, you are at high risk.
- Sex:
Asthma is high in boys among children, while higher in women among teens and adults.
Treatment of asthma: (2)
A treatment plan is suggested to you by your doctor when you are diagnosed with asthma. Medications will help you to manage your symptoms and they will help you to prevent asthma attacks. The treatment plan is suggested according to the various factors such as your age, severity, and type of asthma. Treatment will be adjusted after the symptoms are in control.
Short term relief medications:
They are also known as quick-relief medications. They help to control symptoms during an asthma attack. They are recommended for mild to moderate asthma that results due to any physical activity. Medications include:
- Inhaled short-acting beta 2 agonists (SABA)
It is given to quickly relieve the tightened muscles around your airways. This allows air to easily flow. Different side effects are associated with this medication such as rapid heartbeat and tremors. If symptoms are not improving with this medication your doctor might stop this to avoid side effects.
- Oral and intravenous corticosteroids:
It is given to reduce inflammation due to severe asthma
- Short-acting anticholinergic’s:
It is also given to quickly open the airways. It is less effective than short-acting beta 2 agonists. But it is recommended to people who have shown more side effects with SABA.
Control medications:
It is the long-term treatment recommended by your doctor to prevent inflammation and secure the airways from narrowing. Treatment varies from child to adult. Control medications are as follows:
- Corticosteroids:
It is given to reduce the inflammatory response of our body. Corticosteroids can be given orally or with inhalers. Hoarse voice or thrush is the most common side effect of corticosteroids. The oral form of corticosteroids has less common side effects than inhaled form.
- Biologic medicines:
It is recommended in severe asthma and it includes omalizumab, mepolizumab and benralozumab.
- Leukotriene modifiers:
It can be recommended with or without the combination of corticosteroids. It helps to reduce inflammation and keep the airways open.
- Mast cell stabilizers:
It prevents inflammation in the airways when you are exposed to an allergen.
- Inhaled long-acting bronchodilators:
It prevents airways from narrowing. They also help to reduce inflammation when given with the combination of corticosteroids.
- Immunotherapy:
It is given in the form of an injection that minimizes the body’s response to allergens.
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