Understanding Asthma , Causes, Symptoms & Treatment! -

Understanding Asthma and How to Control? Symptoms, Causes And treatment!

understanding Asthma

Understanding Asthma and Knowing what to do with it:

Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases of children, but adults can have asthma, too. Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early in the morning. If you have asthma, you have it all the time, but you will have asthma attacks only when something bothers your lungs. understanding asthma

We don’t know all the things that can cause asthma, but we do know that genetic, environmental, and occupational factors have been linked to developing asthma.

If someone in your immediate family has asthma, you are more likely to have it. “Atopy,” the genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases, can play a big part in developing allergic asthma. However, not all asthma is allergic asthma. understanding asthma

Being exposed to things in the environment,

like mold or dampness, some allergens such as dust mites, and secondhand tobacco smoke have been linked to developing asthma. Air pollution and viral lung infection may also lead to asthma.

Occupational asthma occurs when someone who never had asthma develops it because he or she is exposed to something at work. This can happen if you develop an allergy to something at work such as mold or if you are exposed to irritants such as wood dust or chemicals at work over and over at lower levels or all at once at higher levels.

Signs And Symptoms of Asthma:

The most common symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough. You may have days when you have every symptom and other days you may have no symptoms. When you do have asthma symptoms, you may feel like you are breathing through a straw.

You may also hear wheezing (a whistling or squeaking sound) as air tries to move through your narrowed airways. You may also cough, most often at night or early in the morning. Chest pain, chest pressure, or a feeling of tightness in your chest can be other symptoms of asthma.

Asthma signs and symptoms include:

Shortness of breath.
Chest tightness or pain.
Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.
A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children).
Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.

For some people, asthma signs and symptoms flare up in certain situations:

Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry.
Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust.
Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by airborne substances, such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste or particles of skin and dried saliva shed by pets (pet dander)

Children with asthma,

May show the same symptoms as adults with asthma: coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. In some children, chronic cough may be the only symptom.

If your child has one or more of these common symptoms, make an appointment with an allergist-immunologist:

Coughing that is constant or that is made worse by viral infections, happens while your child is asleep, or is triggered by exercise and cold air.
Wheezing or whistling sound when your child exhales.
Shortness of breath or rapid breathing, which may be associated with exercise.
Chest tightness (a young child may say that his chest “hurts” or “feels funny”).
Fatigue (your child may slow down or stop playing).
Problems feeding or grunting during feeding (infants).
Avoiding sports or social activities.
Problems sleeping due to coughing or difficulty breathing.

Asthma Attack:

An “asthma attack” describes very severe symptoms. During an asthma attack, you may breathe so fast that you may have a hard time talking.

Asthma Attack May Include,

Coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and trouble breathing. The attack happens in your body’s airways, which are the paths that carry air to your lungs. As the air moves through your lungs, the airways become smaller, like the branches of a tree are smaller than the tree trunk. During an asthma attack, the sides of the airways in your lungs swell and the airways shrink. Less air gets in and out of your lungs, and mucous that your body makes clogs up the airways.

You can control your asthma by knowing the warning signs of an asthma attack, staying away from things that cause an attack, and following your doctor’s advice.

When you control your asthma you

Won’t have symptoms such as wheezing or coughing,
Will sleep better.
Won’t miss work or school.
Can take part in all physical activities, and
Will not have to go to the hospital.

Asthma Causes :

It isn’t clear why some people get asthma and others don’t, but it’s probably due to a combination of environmental and genetic (inherited) factors.

Asthma can be inherited or passed down to you from your parents through their genes, or you may have no history of asthma in your family. If you have asthma, your airways are more sensitive than normal. Your airways can get irritated and tighten very easily by a variety of things called “triggers.” Examples of “triggers” are:

A. Allergies:

If you have allergies, you may also be more likely to have asthma. This type of asthma often begins in children but can happen in adults as well. Common allergens (things that cause allergies) are pollen from weeds, trees, and grass, mold, cockroach droppings, dander from cats or dogs and dust mites. These can cause sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose. If the lungs are irritated enough, the allergens can cause an asthma attack.

B. Respiratory infections:

Frequent lung or sinus infections can also cause asthma. Infections can trigger longer episodes of wheezing or shortness of breath than those from allergies. In fact, respiratory viruses are the most common cause of asthma attacks that are bad enough to keep you home from school or work.

C. Irritants that can also cause asthma are:

Exhaust fumes from cars, buses, trucks, etc.
Chemicals like garden sprays.
Molds and dust.
Strong odors from paint, perfumes, colognes, hair spray, deodorants, and cleaning products.
Tobacco smoke from cigarettes, pipes, or cigars.
Temperature or weather changes.
Stress or exercise.
Medications, including aspirin and beta-blockers (heart or blood pressure medicine).
Sulfites in foods such as dried fruits, wine, and beer.

When to Contact Your Doctor?

Notify your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:

If you think you have asthma.
To monitor your asthma after diagnosis.
If your asthma symptoms get worse.
To review your treatment. understanding asthma

Complications Of Asthma:

An asthmatic patient may face complications and symptoms which deem taking days off from school and work necessary because he/she is too sick, has had disturbed sleep or is struggling to cope with bronchial tubes that are permanently narrowed.

In some cases, complications can even bring a patient close to death as he experiences an acute respiratory failure. At times like this, the most important thing is to get the patient to the hospital at once, where he is connected to the ventilator to help him to breathe and also is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Long term complications pertaining to asthma are as follows:

Nummular Eczema: This is a condition in which the patient’s skin is inflamed and there are multiple lesions that look similar to ringworm marks.
Fragile respiratory system: This problem is generally seen in children. Asthmatic children have very sensitive lungs and are also prone to infections like pneumonia, flu, and bronchitis. Their respiratory system can be permanently damaged. Children can also be prone to sudden and unpredictable asthmatic attacks.
Hemorrhage: Generally pregnant women who suffer from asthma encounter complications like hemorrhage, gestational diabetes and even premature delivery of the baby. The baby will suffer from complications like low birth weight and is also likely to develop breathing problems.

Other complications pertaining to asthma include heart diseases, problems in sleeping at night, ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease as also stress and depression. It is necessary for an asthmatic patient to have a balanced diet, follow a good fitness program and take his medicines regularly to minimize the complications pertaining to asthma.

Let’s Recap, Asthma complications include:

Signs and symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or recreational activities.
Sick days from work or school during asthma flare-ups.
Permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes (airway remodeling) that affects how well you can breathe.
Emergency room visits and hospitalizations for severe asthma attacks.
Side effects from long-term use of some medications used to stabilize severe asthma.

Risk Factors:

There are many risk factors that can increase the chances of a child getting asthma. Some are listed here but these are not the only risk factors you have to take into consideration. Some of these risk factors may include:

Exposure to allergens such as air pollution, dust, and second-hand smoke.
Family history of asthma or allergies.
Low birth weight.
Being overweight.
Exposure to smoke.
Parents who smoke.
Series of lung infections.

Asthmatics have an increased risk of death if:

They don’t,

Take their medication.
Have access to adequate medical treatment.
Come forward in time for treatment during an attack.
Their asthma is severe and difficult to control, even with medication.

Preventing and Controlling Influenza in Asthma Patients:

Persons with asthma are at higher risk for influenza-related complications, such as pneumonia.

I. Follow your asthma action plan:

All persons with asthma should have and use an updated, written Asthma Action Plan, developed with their healthcare professional, for daily treatment and for control of worsening asthma symptoms.

The Asthma Action Plan should include what they should do at the earliest onset of symptoms of influenza-like illness. Children with asthma should have an Asthma Action Plan on file at their school or daycare center, and the plan and medication(s) should be readily accessible.

II. Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia:

Anyone with asthma at least 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated for seasonal influenza with the injected trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV). Children aged 6 months to 8 years who never have had a seasonal flu shot will need two doses the first time. Persons with asthma should not use the inhaled “FluMist®” vaccine because of the increased risk of wheezing post-vaccination.

III. Identify and avoid asthma triggers:

A number of outdoor allergens and irritants — ranging from pollen and mold to cold air and air pollution — can trigger asthma attacks. Find out what causes or worsens your asthma, and take steps to avoid those triggers.

IV. Medications:

Take your asthma medication exactly as your HCP tells you. Work with your HCP to find a treatment plan that controls your asthma. Carry your relief/rescue inhaler with you at all times and follow the directions on your Action Plan for when to use it.

V. Monovalent Vaccine:

Persons with asthma aged 6 months to 64 years should be prioritized to receive the injected, inactivated, influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine when it becomes available.

VI. Antiviral Medications:

At this time, most 2009 novel A (H1N1) influenza viruses are susceptible to oseltamivir (trade name, “Tamiflu”). However, antiviral treatment regimens might change depending on new antiviral resistance or viral surveillance information. Zanamivir (trade name, “Relenza”) is not recommended for treatment in patients with underlying airways disease (including asthma), because of the risk for adverse events, such as bronchospasm.

VII. Regular visits to your HCP:

Keep your regularly scheduled visits with your HCP so that your asthma can be monitored and treated before it gets out of control. Be sure to know how to contact your HCP and know what to do in case of an emergency. This information will be on your Action Plan.

VIII. Stay healthy: understanding asthma

Eat nutritious foods and get regular exercise. Avoid people who smoke and those that may have an infection, especially a cold or the flu.

IX. Cope with stress:

Learn new ways to cope with stress. Coping with stress can help prevent and control your asthma. By taking an active role in the management of your asthma by partnering with your HCP, you can breathe easier and live a healthier life. understanding asthma understanding asthma

Diagnosis, How Is Asthma Diagnosed?

An allergist diagnoses asthma by taking a thorough medical history and performing breathing tests to measure how well your lungs work.

Asthma cannot be diagnosed without a breathing test. So, if you think you may have asthma, tell your doctor about all of your symptoms. If your doctor thinks your symptoms may be from asthma, they will ask you to have a breathing test called a pulmonary function test or spirometry test.

You will take a deep breath and blow into a sensor to measure the amount of air your lungs can hold and the speed of the air you inhale or exhale. This test diagnoses asthma severity and measures how well treatment is working.

Because there are many types of asthma and many different things that can cause asthma (or appear to be asthma),

Your doctor may want you to have additional tests. Blood tests for allergies or for detecting problems with your immune system may also be ordered. If your asthma is not getting better after you start treatment, you might benefit from seeing an asthma specialist.

Sometimes, other diseases can act like asthma. The asthma specialist may do more testing to find the specific cause of your asthma or things that may be making it worse. Testing may also be done to test if your symptoms are caused by another disease such as vocal cord dysfunction. understanding Asthma

Treatment Options For Asthma:

Once you are diagnosed with asthma, it is very important that you work closely with your HCP to control your asthma. You and your HCP will write an Action Plan that you will follow to treat your symptoms and improve your breathing. Your Action Plan will include when to take your medications, what you can do in your daily life to avoid triggers, and how to monitor your breathing.

A. Medications: understanding asthma

Medications will be prescribed that keep your airways open and reduce swelling, so air can move in and out of your lungs more easily. You will be given an inhaler but you may also be given a pill as well as an inhaler.

The most important thing about controlling your asthma is that you must take the medicine exactly as instructed by your HCP. When you use the medication correctly you should be able to prevent your asthma symptoms.

Inhalers (also called puffers): understanding asthma

There are two types of inhalers: metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and dry powder inhaler (DPI).

Metered-dose inhalers: use an aerosol canister inserted into a plastic mouthpiece to deliver a short burst of medicine.

Dry powder inhalers: deliver medicine as a dry powder using a special inhaler.

Nebulizers: A nebulizer is a machine with tubing that takes liquid medicine and turns it into a mist that you inhale. Nebulizers are an option for anyone who has difficulty using an asthma inhaler.

For Inhalers to Work Well, understanding asthma

You must use them correctly. But more than half of all people who use inhalers don’t use them properly.

Ask your doctor or nurse to watch you and check your technique. If it is still difficult to use, you have two choices. Ask them to recommend a spacer or holding chamber. This device attaches to the inhaler to make it easier to use and to help more medicine reach the lungs.

Everyone can benefit from using a spacer or holding chamber, especially children. Or, ask about using a “breath-actuated” inhaler, which automatically releases medicine when you inhale.

B. Short-acting (relief or rescue) bronchodilators:

such as albuterol or levalbuterol, relax the muscles around your airways.

C. Long-acting medicines (controllers):

include inhaled corticosteroids (e.g. beclomethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone, mometasone) or inhaled corticosteroids in combination with long-acting bronchodilators (e.g. formoterol or salmeterol).

These medications must be taken on a regular basis and are designed to keep your airways open over time. Inhaled corticosteroids decrease the swelling in your airways so that they are less likely to be irritated by triggers.

Long-acting bronchodilators are never used alone as a controller in asthma; inhaled bronchodilators are to be taken at the same time as corticosteroids, often both are in the same inhaler. Pills, including leukotriene modifying drugs (montelukast, zafirlukast, zileuton) and theophylline, may also be prescribed. These drugs are not usually as effective as corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators.

D. Lifestyle management:

It begins with learning what specific “triggers” may be causing your asthma symptoms. Keep a journal (or diary) to track your day-to-day activities along with any symptoms that you may be having during the day or at night. Once you know what may be causing your asthma, you can then try to stay away from those triggers.

Peak flow monitoring is often recommended:

By blowing into a peak flow meter each day, you can see how well you are breathing. Sometimes your peak flow reading can make you aware that your asthma is worsening before you have symptoms. When your peak flow reading is high, you should generally be breathing well.

When your lungs are tight, your peak flow reading will be lower. At these times, you may be asked to increase your medications, as outlined in your Action Plan. The goal of peak flow monitoring is to help guide you to prevent an asthma attack.

The important thing to remember is,

that you can control your asthma. With your doctor’s or other medical professional’s help, make your own asthma action plan (management plan) so that you know what to do based on your own symptoms. Decide who should have a copy of your plan and where he or she should keep it. understanding asthma

Summing Up:

Asthma is a common respiratory disease marked by chronic inflammation of the airways resulting in recurring cough and breathlessness. Asthma symptoms are daytime coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness; night-time coughing and wheezing. Symptoms may occur a number of times in a day or week in affected persons, and for some people become worse during physical activity or at night.

Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. Uncontrolled asthma can be a danger to maternal well-being and fetal growth and survival.

If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, as you might help someone in need. Thanks.

Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment for any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”

References

https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/preventing_and_controlling.htm – https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/asthma – https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/asthma