What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that creates an impact on your airways, which are the tubes that allow air to enter and exit your lungs. Asthma will result in your airways getting swollen and narrow, which results in chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. Symptoms vary from person to person. If the symptoms get worse than usual, it causes a flare-up or asthma attack.
What are the symptoms of Asthma?
Asthma’s precise root cause is unknown. Who develops asthma most likely depends on their environment and genetics. When you are exposed to an asthma trigger, an attack may occur. An asthma trigger is a substance or situation that can worsen your asthma symptoms.
India has an estimated 36 million asthmatics. That is around 15% of the global asthma cases.
There is no cure for asthma, but proper treatment and medication can help you manage it.
Asthma symptoms include the following:
- Having a tight chest
- Coughing, especially at night or in the morning
- Respiration difficulty
- Wheezing results in a whistling sound when you exhale.
Mild to severe symptoms can be evident. You can get them frequently or just occasionally.
The symptoms of an asthma attack significantly worsen. Attacks may start off slowly or unexpectedly. Sometimes they present a risk to life. People with severe asthma tend to experience them more frequently.
What is an Asthma Attack?
An asthma attack is when the airways enlarge and get narrow, making breathing more difficult. The symptoms of an asthma attack significantly worsen. Attacks may be fatal and might start suddenly or gradually. Asthma attacks are more common in those with severe asthma.
What are the causes of Asthma?
Causes for asthma differs from person to person. It is not always the same for everyone.
Asthma often starts at the childhood when the immune systems are not fully developed.
Here are some of the causes of Asthma:
Allergies: Asthma is frequently a form of an allergic reaction. People who have Asthma frequently also have allergies to things like pollen or food.
Genetics: When one of your parents has asthma, there is a big possibility that you will also get Asthma.
Obesity: This condition increases your risk of acquiring asthma or worsening the symptoms of existing Asthma.
Workplace: Breathing industrial dusts or chemicals while at work increases your risk of developing Asthma.
How will my doctor determine whether I have Asthma?
Several instruments may be used by your doctor to identify asthma:
- Physical Examination
- Lung function tests, such as spirometry, are used to evaluate how well your lungs operate.
- Medical background
- Examinations to gauge how your airways respond to various exposures. You breathe in various allergen or medication concentrations during this test, which could cause your airways’ muscles to constrict. Both before and after the test, spirometry is performed.
- Peak expiratory flow (PEF) tests determine how quickly you can exhale when exerting the most effort.
- If you have a history of allergies, you may have allergy skin or blood tests. These tests determine which allergens make your immune system respond.
What is the treatment for Asthma?
Asthma patients have to work with their health care provider to create a regular treatment plan. Here are some of the treatments for Asthma.
- Techniques to prevent triggers: If tobacco smoke, for instance, is a trigger for you, you should try to stay away from smoking or allowing others to smoke in your vehicle or home.
- Quick Relief Medication: They aid in reducing asthma attack symptoms or preventing them altogether. They come with an inhaler that you may always keep on you. It also comprises other medication types that function quickly to assist in opening your airways.
- Regulating drugs: To help with symptom prevention, you take these daily. They function by reducing inflammation in the airways and preventing airway constriction.
If you experience a severe attack and the medications prescribed for temporary relief do not help, you will require emergency care.
Your doctor may change your medication until your asthma symptoms are under control.
How can Astra Speciality Hospital help you with treatment?
At Astra Speciality Hospital, we have a team of experienced doctors helping patients get back to their normal lives. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, kindly book an appointment with our experts and get yourself treated before it is too late.
Conclusion
Please leave a comment if you found this article helpful or useful. If you or your loved ones are suffering from Asthma, book an appointment right away.
No Comments