Essential Facts about Asthma
Asthma is a common chronic lung condition that affects millions of people, particularly children, making it the most prevalent chronic lung disease among this demographic. This inflammatory disease affects the airways leading to the lungs, causing breathing difficulties and making physical activities challenging.
Symptoms of asthma can vary from person to person, but common signs include wheezing, coughing (especially at night or during exercise), chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Some symptoms, such as choking sensations and muscle tension, are more common in anxiety attacks, while wheezing and coughing are clear indicators of asthma.
No single test or exam can definitively diagnose asthma. Instead, healthcare professionals use a combination of criteria, including health history, physical exam, and breathing tests, to make a diagnosis. In children under 5 years of age, doctors may prescribe asthma medications to see if symptoms improve.
Quick-relief asthma treatments, such as bronchodilators and first aid asthma treatment, are used to alleviate symptoms during an asthma attack. Long-term control medications, including anti-inflammatories, anticholinergics, and long-acting bronchodilators, are used to manage the disease over time. Biologics, given by injection or infusion, are typically used for severe forms of asthma.
Prevention strategies for asthma attacks include avoiding triggers, reducing exposure to allergens, getting allergy shots, taking preventive medication, and creating an asthma action plan. Common triggers for asthma include health conditions such as respiratory infections, exercise, environmental irritants, allergens, intense emotions, extreme weather conditions, pests, certain medications (including aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and occupational irritants.
Asthma attacks, or exacerbations, occur when asthma symptoms worsen, making breathing increasingly difficult. Symptoms of an asthma attack may include hyperventilation, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, agitation, confusion, and blue lips. Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone else experiences severe or worsening breathlessness or wheezing, shortness of breath so bad you can speak in only short phrases, the need to strain hard in order to breathe, lips or fingernails that have turned gray or blue, or no symptom relief after using your rescue inhaler.
If you suspect you may have asthma but haven't received a diagnosis, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a healthcare professional. If you receive a diagnosis of asthma, you should see your doctor at least once per year. If you have persistent symptoms even after trying some treatments, you may need to see your doctor more often.
In addition to medication, strategies for managing asthma include eating a nutritious diet, avoiding any foods you're allergic to, maintaining a moderate weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, finding healthy ways to manage stress, and taking steps to improve overall health.
Asthma classifications include intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent. Occupational asthma is triggered by irritants in the workplace, such as dust, dyes, gases and fumes, industrial chemicals, animal proteins, and rubber latex. Cough-variant asthma (CVA) doesn't cause the classic asthma symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath, but instead involves a persistent dry cough.
Nocturnal asthma worsens at night and can be triggered by heartburn, pet dander, dust mites, and the body's natural sleep cycle. The most common type of asthma is allergic asthma, which is triggered by allergens such as pet dander, food, mold, pollen, and dust.
A 2021 study conducted by VisionHealth found that inhalation therapy was effective in managing asthma symptoms in patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD. In the United States, approximately 25 million people have asthma, and about 10% of children in the country have the condition. Aspirin-induced asthma (AIA) affects about 9% of people with asthma.
In conclusion, asthma is a common and manageable chronic lung condition that affects millions of people. Recognising symptoms, understanding triggers, and working closely with a healthcare professional can help individuals with asthma lead active and healthy lives.
