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What is Asthma? How do you treat it?

  • Author by admin
  • Reviewed By admin
  • Last Edited : August 13, 2024
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Around 300 million people around the world are thought to have Asthma. This makes it one of the most common long-term illnesses in the world.

Asthma: Why Does it Happen?

When the respiratory system is constantly exposed to things that irritate it, like germs, viruses, dust, pollution, and pollen, it can lead to a wide range of respiratory disorders. As a consequence, a variety of respiratory infections may manifest themselves. The lung combines various defence systems, to defend itself from environmental risks. One of the most essential of these defence mechanisms is the respiratory system.

This makes asthmatic people have a very strong reaction, which in turn causes a lot of cells to become active and many substances that cause inflammation to be made. This means that, asthmatic patients must continue dealing with their condition.

Inflammation causes the mucosa that borders the bronchial tree to expand, increasing mucus production and a contraction of the smooth muscle in the bronchi. This is responsible for reducing the size of the bronchi, which takes place most clearly when the patient exhales and tries to remove air from their lungs. The patient’s attempt to expel air from their lungs induces the change in the size of the bronchi. This occurs because the patient is forced to exhale air from their lungs.

  • Asthma can worsen during pregnancy and hormonal changes
  • Stress and anxiety can trigger asthma attacks, highlighting the mind-body connection.
  • People with asthma are at higher risk for developing other allergies like eczema.
  • Some foods, like shellfish or certain preservatives, can trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals.
  • Biofeedback techniques can help manage asthma by teaching patients to control breathing and relaxation.
  • Climate change and air pollution are increasing the prevalence and severity of asthma.
  • Regular exercise, when managed correctly, can actually improve lung function in asthma patients

Introduction to Asthma Types

Asthma is not the same in all color forms; it comes out in various patterns. Taking into account these types can be very helpful for an asthma patient to control the condition on their own perfectly.

Allergic Asthma

This type is triggerable by introducing allergens and is, in fact, the majority of all asthmas. They are pollen, pet dander, molds, and dust mites that cause the patient to have this condition. People who are allergic to asthma often (related to birth) develop other allergic reactions such as eczema and hay fever.

Non-Allergic Asthma

As opposed to the above, this type does not appear as a result of interaction with allergens. The most common ones are emotional stress, physical activity, cold air, or infections in the respiratory tract. Specific factors cannot always be found easily.

Occupational Asthma

This is a type that starts as a result of the workplace environment containing such irritants as fumes, gases, and dust. It is a must to identify and try to lessen (if not remove) exposure to such factors in order to control the symptoms.

 Some people with asthma find physical exercise as a big obstacle against them. This is gained from the exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Commonly, the clues crop up in or after exercise and with the correct medication along with the warming-up will help a lot.

Exercise-Induced Asthma

This type is triggered by introducing allergens and is, in fact, the majority of all asthmas. They are pollens, pet dander, molds, and dust mites that cause the patient to have this condition. People who are allergic to asthma often (related to birth) develop other allergic reactions such as eczema and hay fever.

Common Asthma Triggers

One of the ways with which a person with asthma can cope with the situation is by knowing the asthma triggers that may cause the condition. Here are some common asthma triggers:

Allergens

They can be either pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, or even cockroach waste, which are all the common allergens that can lead to asthma symptoms. Clean your living environment properly and use air purifiers.

Irritants

Tobacco smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, strong odors, and burning wood or grass smoke are the irritants that can be the reason for the airways to be irritated and lead to asthma attacks. Smoking should be avoided and exposure to these irritants should be kept to a minimum.

Weather Conditions

Cold air, abrupt changes in weather, and high humidity are all the triggers for the development of asthma symptoms. Keeping your nose and mouth covered with a scarf in cold weather and staying indoors on high pollen days can help.

Respiratory Infections

Viruses such as a common cold, flu, sinusitis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can infect asthma and thus the symptoms can become more intense or an existing asthma worsens. Vaccination and good hygiene will help you to reduce the chances of getting infected.

Physical Activity

The symptoms of asthma can be caused by exercises, especially in dry, cold air. It is essential to take preventive steps such as using an inhaler prior to exercising and doing a proper warm-up routine.

Stress and Emotions

Severe emotions like stress, anxiety, laughter, or crying can be the root of the trigger of asthma. Managing stress through relaxation techniques and maintaining a calm environment can be helpful.

Certain Medications

Beta-blockers, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may start asthma symptoms in a few individuals. Before you start any new medications, let your healthcare provider know you have asthma at all times.

Symptoms of Asthma

It’s not very common for asthma symptoms to last for a long time. They make themselves known through crises that occur more or less consistently. Some of the known symptoms of Asthma include:

Shortness of breath (dyspnea)

Although it may strike anytime, you are more likely to experience it while sleeping or exercising. It is common in people with poorly controlled asthma or those exposed to severe exposure to certain trigger factors, such as allergens or viral infections. They may need to go to the emergency department to be treated.

Cough

It often happens at the same time as asthma, and when the two occur together, they can cause symptoms like sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, or both.

Diagnosis

Most of the time, it is done after a pattern of symptoms is looked at. Evidence is found that the symptoms can be treated with bronchodilators. Some tests performed for Asthma diagnosis are; 

Spirometry

Spirometry, a pulmonary function test, is a critical exam to take. It is performed not just to arrive at the proper diagnosis but also to monitor the progression of the disease and assess how well a patient is responding to a particular therapy. 

Skin Test

Skin testing may be of great assistance in cases where it is believed that asthma is brought on by allergens taken in via the lungs.

X-ray and Blood Test

Using chest X-rays and blood tests, you can determine how likely the patient will have problems or that the disease will progress differently.

Importance of Regular Monitoring and Follow-Ups

Regular check-ups and follow-ups are considered to be the foundation for an effective asthma management strategy. Look into why these are significant:

Personalized Treatment Adjustments

Asthma symptoms can vary from person to person and sometimes they can last for just a short time or they can last forever. Regular check-ups make it possible for healthcare professionals to modify treatment plans according to the patient’s current condition. These treatment shifts may include an increase in the dosage amount of medication or the integration of new treatments.

Early Detection of Complications

Regular monitoring is a priority in the context of early detection of possible complications or a possible worsening of the condition. Checking the problem in its beginning helps. This is going to be mitigated by promoting early interventions, for example, you will prevent severe asthma attacks and the potential damage faced by them.

Education and Support

The follow up  visit provides patients with a chance to receive ongoing education about their disease. After that the dealing with contributing factors to asthma, e.g., proper technique of inhalation, trigger understanding, and the management of symptoms are given to the patients. Health practitioners should encourage patients to be proactive in preventing and treating asthma with their continuous support.

Tracking Progress

Keeping record  of symptoms, peak flow readings, and usage of the medicine helps in monitoring the disease.This information is equally important for the patient and the doctor to know what the treatment is working on and where changes are needed.

Preventive Care

Doctors are allowed to give care against influenza and pneumonia to people with asthma. Influenza and pneumonia vaccines are especially significant for asthma sufferers. These preventive measures can lead to a decrease in the probability of respiratory infections that could worsen asthma.

If we keep an eagle eye on the problem and follow up on the frequency the people suffer from

Treatment Options for Asthma

Bronchodilator

People with Asthma should always be given bronchodilator medication to experience immediate relief from their symptoms, since it is a disease that causes the airways to get blocked. If you inhale the drug rather than swallow it, it will take effect more rapidly, be less hazardous, and be easier to use.

Medicines

Inhaling anti-inflammatory drugs, like corticosteroids, regularly is the best way to avoid symptoms. They are more effective and have fewer side effects when given through inhalation than when given through other routes of administration.

Other medications

When treating some patients, adding more treatments, like anticholinergics and long-acting bronchodilators (inhaled with anti-inflammatory effects), to the first medication is essential. When treating people who have Asthma, the goal is for them to be able to lead everyday lives. This means they should be able to sleep through the night without having Asthma symptoms wake them up. They should also be able to do all their daily activities without Asthma symptoms and participate in physical activities.

Many people can get rid of their symptoms for long periods, and in most cases, they do so without any medication or with only a small dose at a time. This is because there is already a lot of experience with monoclonal anti-IgE antibodies, which are biological treatments for severe allergic Asthma, and because in the not-too-distant future, patients with more severe Asthma will be able to use new physical therapies to control inflammation in their bodies.

Prevention

Vaccines are targeted immunotherapy that may help stop Asthma attacks caused by an allergic reaction. They may also be used in the treatment procedure if necessary.

Is There a Treatment for Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term illness, like diabetes and high blood pressure. There is no known cure for it at this time. But it is possible to control how often and how lousy asthma symptoms are by taking medicine and changing how you live.

Takeaway

Asthma is among the most common respiratory illnesses worldwide, especially in children and adults. It is also called bronchodilator-responsive airway disease, which is caused by genetic, environmental, and other factors. Normal functions of lungs include breathing in and out oxygen, moving food through the respiratory system, and keeping the blood clean. When the respiratory system becomes inflamed and swollen, it becomes difficult for the asthmatic person to breathe in and out, leading to breathlessness and coughing. Since Asthma is the most common chronic disease that presents to the doctor, it’s important to understand what it is, how it presents, and how to treat it.

What is Asthma? How do you treat it?

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