What Is Asthma? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Asthma


What happens during an asthma attack

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Definition

Asthma is a condition in which your airways become narrower and swollen and may produce more sputum. This can make breathing difficult and cause coughing, whistling sounds (breathing) when you breathe and shortness of breath.

For some people, asthma is a minor problem. For some, it can be a major obstacle to daily activities and can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks.

Asthma is incurable, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it is important that you work with your doctor to monitor your symptoms and signs and adjust your treatment when needed.

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have frequent asthma attacks, with occasional symptoms - such as when exercising - or having symptoms all the time.

Signs and symptoms of asthma include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • Breathing in air, which is a common symptom of asthma in children
  • Sleep problems caused by shortness of breath, cough or shortness of breath
  • Coughing or wheezing caused by a respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu.

Signs that your asthma is probably getting worse:

The most common and troublesome signs and symptoms of asthma

Increased breathing difficulty, as measured by the device used to monitor your lung function (higher flow rate)

The need to use an emergency inhaler immediately many times over

For some people, the signs and symptoms of asthma appear in certain situations:

  1. Asthma caused by exercise, which can be worse when the air is cold and dry
  2. Occupational asthma, caused by irritating substances in the workplace such as chemical smoke, gases or dust.
  3. Asthma caused by allergies, caused by airborne substances, such as pollen, fungi, cockroach litter, or skin particles and suspended saliva shed by pet dander

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency treatment

Asthma attacks can be dangerous to health. Work with your doctor to find out what to do when your symptoms and symptoms worsen - and when you need emergency treatment. Symptoms of an asthma emergency include:

  • Rapid deterioration of shortness of breath or shortness of breath
  • There is no improvement even after using an emergency help inhaler
  • Shortness of breath as you do a little physical activity
  • Contact your doctor

See your doctor:

If you think you have asthma. If you cough frequently or have a persistent cough for more than a few days or other signs or symptoms of asthma, see your doctor. Early treatment of asthma can prevent chronic lung damage and help keep the condition worse over time.


  • Monitor your asthma after a diagnosis. If you know you have asthma, work with your doctor to control it. Good long-term control helps you feel better every day and can prevent life-threatening asthma attacks.
  • If your asthma symptoms get worse. Contact your doctor immediately if your medication does not appear to reduce your symptoms or if you need to use your emergency inhaler immediately.
  • Do not take more than the prescribed dose without consulting your doctor first. Excessive use of asthma medications can cause side effects and can make your asthma worse.
  • Reviewing your treatment. Asthma often changes over time. Meet with your doctor regularly to discuss your symptoms and make any necessary changes to treatment.
  • It is not clear why some people get asthma and others do not, but it may be due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

Causes of asthma

Exposure to irritants and various allergens can cause signs and symptoms of asthma. The causes of asthma vary from person to person and can include:

  1. Airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust larvae, fungi, pet dander or cockroach particles
  2. Respiratory diseases, such as the common cold
  3. Physical activity
  4. Cold air
  5. Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke
  6. Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin, and non-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve)
  7. Strong emotions and depression
  8. Sulfites and preservatives are added to other foods and beverages, including shrimp, dried fruit, mashed potatoes, beer and wine
  9. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acid returns to your throat.
  10. Asthma and acid reflux

Risk factors

There are a number of factors that are thought to increase your chances of developing asthma. Includes:

  1. Having a blood relative with asthma, such as a parent or a sibling

  3. Having other allergies, such as atopic dermatitis - which causes red, itchy skin - or hay fever - that causes a runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes
  4. Obesity
  5. Being a smoker
  6. Exposure to cigarette smoke
  7. Exposure to fumes or other forms of contamination
  8. Creative job creation, such as chemicals used in agriculture, hairdressing and manufacturing

Problems

Asthma problems include:

  1. Signs and symptoms that interfere with sleep, work and other activities
  2. Sick days from work or school during an asthma attack
  3. Chronic narrowing of the airways (bronchial tubes), which affects your breathing
  4. Emergency room visits and hospitalization due to severe asthma attacks
  5. Side effects of long-term use of other medications used to stabilize severe asthma
  6. Proper treatment makes a big difference in preventing short-term and long-term problems caused by asthma.

Prevention

While there is no way to prevent asthma, you and your doctor can make a step-by-step plan for living with your condition and preventing asthma attacks.

Follow your asthma action plan. With your team and your health care team, write a detailed plan for taking medication and managing asthma attacks. After that make sure you follow your asthma plan.

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