Asthma is a chronic respiratory problem in which a person has difficulty in breathing because of the inflammation in the airways (bronchial tubes). Due to inflammation the bronchial tubes become narrow and the muscles around the area get tightened. The inflammation causes trouble for the air to pass in and out of the lungs. It may also cause cough, chest pain and wheezing.
Approximately, 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma. It is more common among women than their counterparts. |
An asthmatic person faces difficulties while breathing. Most of the time the condition does not affect day-to-day life but sometimes it could be life-threatening and the person has to struggle to catch its breath.
Types of asthma
Allergic asthma: Some people are allergic to certain substances in the environment. They have the tendency of developing respiratory illness when around these allergens. These allergens may irritate the walls of the muscles of the bronchial tubes which may lead to the inflammation. Most of the common allergens of asthma are pollen and dust.
Seasonal asthma: In some people the asthma triggers during a particular season of the year. The symptoms of asthma may not be visible among these people rest of the time. In such conditions a person should be cautious all the time. Elderly patients are suffering a lot. They experience lots of difficulties in breathing during the winter season. Pollen or weather are the root cause for the seasonal asthma.
No-allergic asthma: Also known as non-atopic asthma. It is less symptomatic and often develops in the later years of life.
What triggers the trauma?
The health experts are uncertain about the causes of asthma. Through various studies they could only conclude that genetic and environmental factors may be the reasons that lead to respiratory illness. People who are sensitive to allergies are the suffering lot.
Allergies
Experts point out the allergy as the most common reason for this kind of respiratory condition. When the immune system of a person reacts to a particular substance which is harmless to others is called allergy. When the affected people come in contact with a particular allergen and inhale it, it causes an asthma attack to them.
Pregnancy
Expectant mothers should avoid smoking because it could lead to many medical complications like premature delivery, miscarriage. Smoking also weakens the lungs of the foetus which may lead to the asthma problem later.
Obesity
Apart from other health issues, obesity also leads to breathing problems in children as well as adults. People with body mass index (BMI) as high as 30 percent have the higher risk of having asthma. Around 11 percent of people struggling with obesity have asthma than normal people.
Smoking
Smoking may also aggravate the symptoms of asthma among smokers. Even the passive smokers may also have to bear the brunt of it and face lung-related complications.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the potential culprit. Pollutants present in the air aggravate the situation among allergic people. Outdoor as well as indoor both air pollution fuels up the respiratory illness. Indoor pollution increases the risk by 50 percent among both children as well as adults.
Other pollutants
Dust
Mold
Polluted air emanating from Industries and vehicles
Pollen grains
Feathers
Ground-level ozone
Stress
Stress and other emotional factors may raise the level of respiratory illness. Anger, joy, crying, excitement also lead to asthma attacks. Some studies also suggest that mental health conditions like depression and anxiety may also be the cause of asthma attacks in some people. Long-term stress may cause chronic asthma.
Genetic factors
Inherited genetic makeup predisposes the life-time asthma problem in children. A person who’s both parents are struggling with respiratory illness is more prone to having asthma in life.
Hormones
Decreasing hormone levels may worsen the symptoms. Hormonal activity may also affect the immune system and make the airways of some people hypersensitive.
Symptoms
Coughing
Tightness in the chest or pain
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Difficulty in performing daily activities
How to diagnose the illness
The respiratory illness is often under-diagnosed. If asthma is not treated timely it results in tiredness the whole day, lack of concentration and sleepless nights. Or sometimes may face serious health issues and may have to be hospitalised. Consult healthcare if you observe any of the symptoms of asthma. There are several tests which help diagnose the illness under the observation of your healthcare.
Spirometry test
In this test the function of the lungs is measured through a spirometer (a machine). It tests how much air a person can breathe in or out. It also measured how fast a person can blow the air. You have to blow the air into a tube which is connected to a spirometer. After inhaling the medicine, the test will be repeated. And then the healthcare will examine both the before and after results.
Spirometry with bronchodilator test
These tests measure how much and how fast air moves in and out. The test will be repeated after having the medicine which will relax the muscles in the airway.
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) tests
This test measures the blow of the air. The health care will examine how fast the air can be blown out with maximum effort. This test can be conducted in a spirometer.
Bronchoprovocation tests
In this test the health care will observe the reaction of the airways after inhaling allergens or medicine which tightens the muscle of the bronchial tubes.
Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) Tests
The tests measure the quantity of the nitric oxide in the breath. The presence of high level of nitric oxide may be the cause of the inflammation in airways in the lungs, which leads to breathing complications. The person has to blow in a tube which is connected to a device. The test can be conducted on adults and children above 5 years old.
Asthma cannot be cured. But, there are certain treatments which give relief to the asthmatic persons.
Inhaler: The fats reliever
During asthma attacks inhaler is the only fast reliever which comes handy to ease the respiratory complications. It delivers medicine directly to the person. The person has to use the inhaler every day and carry it with him/her all the time.
Types of inhalers
There are two types of inhalers: - bronchodilators and beclometasone
Bronchodilators opens the are bronchial tubes by relaxing the muscles and make breathing easy and provide the relief to the person
Beclometastone or steroids use when the condition of the person is serious. It helps reduce the inflammation in the bronchial tubes and save the person from severe attacks and deaths.
How to use an inhaler?
Put the mouthpiece of the inhaler in your mouth and seal it tight with your lips. Press down the inhaler and simultaneously start breathing slowly through your mouth. Press it only once and keep breathing slowly and deeply.
Other relievers: -
Inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists (SABAs): It opens the bronchial tubes for easy flow of the air.
Oral corticosteroids: It reduces inflammation
Short-acting anticholinergics: It is a quick reliever and the best option for those who have side effects from SABAs.
Long-term control medicines: These are also called maintenance medicines. They work slowly over time and help relax the muscles of the bronchial tubes and keep it open.
Corticosteroids: it can be taken as tablets or inhaled. But its high dose may result in the risk of cataracts or osteoporosis. Other side effects of this medicine are hoarse voice or thrush, a mouth infection.
Biologic medicines: The medicine helps control severe asthma. It is an injectable medicine. It can be injected in the veins or under the skin.
Leukotriene modifiers: It helps reduce the inflammation and keep bronchial tubes open. It can be taken with steroids.
Inhaled mast cell stabilizers: It gives relief from the attacks due to some allergy.
Inhaled long-acting bronchodilators: Add it to the inhaler and get the relief from the inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs.
Allergy shots or subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT): It lessens the response of the body to the allergens.
Bronchial thermoplasty: It helps if the condition is serious and the body is not responding to other treatments. In this procedure, a bronchoscope, which is a tube with a camera at the end, is inserted through the mouth to see inside the bronchial tubes. The healthcare then applies heat to the muscles along the walls of the airways. It relaxes the muscles and helps prevent narrowing. Sometimes this process may cause lung infection also.
FaQs
Q. How do you feel during an asthma attack?
A. Struggling for breathing is the most complicated situation one faces during an asthma attack.
Q. At what age does asthma develop?
A. One can have the symptoms in early years of life. Children under 5 years also show symptoms of asthma.
Q. What are the symptoms of asthma in children?
A. heavy and fast breathing among babies or toddlers are the symptoms of asthma. Or a wheezing sound can be heard while breathing.
Q. Is it asthma curable?
A. asthma cannot be cured fully but it’s symptoms can be prevented through medicines.
Q. How can I get quick relief during an asthma attack?
A. Inhaler is the quick reliever which gives relief instantly and prevents the symptoms also.
Q. Do I have to use inhalers every day?
A. Yes, an inhaler is a quick reliever and should be used every day.
Q. Do I have to be hospitalized for an asthma attack?
A. Most of the asthma attacks get treated in an emergency but if the condition is severe in which the oxygen level drops down and it's life-threatening one has to get admitted to the hospital for the treatment.
Q. Who is at higher risk of asthma?
A. People with genetic conditions and those who are allergic to any substance are at higher risk of getting affected.
Q. Is asthma a disease or disorder?
A. Asthma is a disease in which your lungs get affected and you have difficulties in breathing.
Q. What is the common symptom of asthma?
A. Cough and tightening of chest or pain are the common symptoms of asthma. Wheezing sound while breathing is the common symptom of asthma among children.