Have you ever heard about asthma and wondered what is it? Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. Airways, or bronchial tubes, allow air to come in and out of the lungs. Asthma affects the lungs in a way that the airways are always inflamed, which will make it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs. The airways narrow and swell and usually produce extra mucus, which makes breathing difficult, and may cause shortness of breath. Coughing and wheezing during breathing out are also present.
Now that we know what asthma is, let's find out:
- what are the signs and symptoms of asthma,
- what causes it,
- what are the types of asthma,
- what are the treatments for asthma
Signs and symptoms of asthma
Signs and symptoms of asthma include:
- wheezing
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness
- fast heartbeat
- fast breathing
- Feeling very tired or weak
When that happens, it's called an asthma attack, asthma flare-up, or asthma episode.
Asthma sometimes occurs a few times a day, and sometimes a few times per week. Asthma symptoms may become worse at night or with exercise.
What causes asthma?
Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Asthma can be developed by many different genes that we inherit from our parents. It is thought that three-fifths of all asthma cases are hereditary. Additionally, being exposed to things in the environment, like mold, dust mites, and secondhand tobacco smoke can contribute to developing asthma. Air pollution may also lead to asthma.
Some allergies, pollen, breathing in some chemicals, sinus infections, and acid reflux can also trigger attacks. Physical exercise, bad weather, some medicines, dry and cold air, certain foods or food additives can also trigger an asthma attack.
If severe, asthma attacks can be a life-threatening condition.
Types of asthma
Asthma affects people of all ages and often starts during childhood. There are known several types of asthma:
- Adult-Onset asthma. When somebody doesn't show signs of having asthma until they are adults, and the doctor makes a diagnosis of asthma when adult, it is known as adult-onset asthma. The reason adults develop asthma isn't always clear, and there are many possible factors that can cause adult-onset asthma, like exposure to some chemicals for the first time in life during adulthood, or having a pet for the first time.
- Allergic asthma. Allergies and asthma are in great connection. Allergic asthma is asthma caused by an allergic reaction. It's also known as allergy-induced asthma. But, not every person that has allergies has asthma, and not everyone with asthma has allergies. Allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander, or mold can trigger asthma symptoms and can cause asthma attacks in some people. When this happens, it is called allergic asthma.
- Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction. An asthma attack happens when the airways in your lungs narrow when exercising. This term was known for years as exercise-induced asthma. 90 percent of people with asthma also have Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction, but not everyone with Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction has asthma.
- Nonallergic asthma. This is a type of asthma that isn't related to an allergy trigger like pollen or dust and is less common than allergic asthma. If asthma symptoms flare up in extreme weather; viral respiratory infections lead to an asthma attack or stress brings problems with breathing, this is nonallergic asthma.
- Occupational asthma. This type of asthma occurs when substances found in the workplace cause the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. This leads to asthma attacks. It can be caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust, or other potentially harmful substances when in the workplace.
Treatments for asthma
There are treatments that can help control the symptoms of asthma, so people suffering from it will be able to live a normal and active life. There's currently no cure for asthma.
The main medications that are used to keep asthma under control are inhaled corticosteroids. When used on a daily basis, these medications can reduce or eliminate asthma attacks. Tablets and other treatments may also be needed if asthma is severe.
One very important thing is knowing the triggers and avoiding them.
Doctors give instructions to people suffering from asthma, on when and how to use medications to prevent asthma or how to behave and what to do if they have an asthma attack. If an asthma attack occurs, they need to follow the instructions that doctors gave them. Some of them might involve taking the prescribed medicine, staying calm, seeking emergency medical help, etc.
In certain cases, asthma can go away, although this happens more often when asthma starts in childhood than when it starts in adulthood.
To summarize:
- Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs.
- Signs and symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, fast heartbeat, fast breathing, and feeling very tired or weak.
- Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
- If severe, asthma attacks can be a life-threatening condition.
- Asthma affects people of all ages and often starts during childhood.
- There are known several types of asthma.
- There's currently no cure for asthma, but there are treatments that can help control the symptoms of asthma.
- Knowing the triggers and avoiding them is of great importance when having asthma.
