What is asthma?
- Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways, the vital channels that facilitate the passage of air in and out of the lungs In individuals with asthma these airways are often swollen and constricted, causing a constellation of distressing symptoms including wheezing, coughing and chest tightness when these symptoms from normal levels When they increase in severity, it is called an “asthma attack” or “flare up.”
Table of Contents
What causes asthma?
- The exact etiology of asthma remains enigmatic. It appears to be a complex interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Asthma attacks can be precipitated by exposure to specific asthma triggers, which are factors or conditions that can initiate or exacerbate asthma symptoms Asthma can manifest in a variety of forms, and its triggers can vary accordingly.
- 1.Allergic asthma: This form is driven by allergens, which are substances capable of triggering an allergic reaction. Common allergens associated with allergic asthma include dust mites, mold, pets, and pollen from weeds and grasses. Wastes from cockroaches, rats and other insects can also be involved.
- 2. Non-allergic asthma: In contrast, non-allergic asthma is provoked by non-allergenic triggers that are allergic in nature. These triggers can include cold air, certain medications, household chemicals, respiratory infections like the common cold, outdoor air pollution and exposure to tobacco smoke
- 3. Occupational Asthma: This form of asthma results from inhalation of harmful chemicals or industrial dusts encountered in the workplace.
- 4. Exercise-induced asthma: Exercise can elicit asthma symptoms, especially in dry weather.
- It is important to recognize that triggers for asthma are highly individual and can evolve over time.
Who is at risk for asthma?
- Asthma can affect individuals of all ages, although it usually has its onset in childhood. Several factors can increase the risk of asthma:
- Exposure to second hand smoke in utero or early childhood.
- Occupational exposure to specific irritants or industrial dusts.
- A familial predisposition, as asthma is more prevalent if one has a parental history of the condition, especially if it is the mother.
- Racial or ethnic background may affect susceptibility, with black and African Americans and Puerto Ricans at higher risk.
- Other co-existence such as obesity and allergies.
- Frequent outbreaks of viral respiratory infections in early childhood.
- There are gender differences, with children more affected in childhood and females in adolescence and adulthood.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
- Asthma manifests with a collection of symptoms that can range from mild to severe. These symptoms may be intermittent or continuous, occurring daily or sporadically. Common manifestations include:
- Tightness of the chest
- Cough, usually more pronounced at night or in the morning
- Shortness of breath
- Symptom of whistling during respiration
- Symptoms are significantly severe during an asthma attack. These attacks can occur gradually or suddenly and sometimes pose a serious threat, especially to those with severe asthma. Those who have asthma attacks may need to adjust their treatment regimen.
Diagnosis of asthma:
- A comprehensive assessment is required to diagnose asthma, covering a variety of diagnostic tools, e.g.
- A physical examination
- A detailed medical history
- Pulmonary function tests, such as spirometry, to assess lung performance
- Tests to measure airway reactivity to specific stimuli, where patients inhale different concentrations of allergens or drugs to evaluate airway reactivity, with spirometry measurements before and after testing
- Peak expiratory flow (PEF) is tested to measure the maximum force at which air can be expelled.
- A fractional breath (FeNO) test is used to quantify nitric oxide levels during expiration, which may be indicative of lung inflammation.
- Allergic skin or blood tests, if allergy is part of the clinical picture, in identifying specific allergens triggering an immune response.
What are the treatments for asthma?
- Individuals with asthma collaborate closely with their health care providers to create a comprehensive treatment plan. This plan includes strategies for symptom management and prevention of asthma attacks.-
- Strategies for avoiding asthma triggers: which may include abstaining from smoking or lifestyle adjustments to limit exposure to second smoke.
- Short-term relief medications: Also known as quick-relief medications, employed to prevent or relieve symptoms during an asthma attack These include inhalers that can be carried at all times, and other medications that work quickly to open narrowed airways.
- Control medications: Those that are taken daily to relieve symptoms by reducing airway inflammation and preventing airway constriction.
- Emergency medical care is essential in the event of an acute asthma attack that does not respond to short-term relief medications.
- Unless asthma symptoms can be managed effectively, adjustments in treatment regimen may be necessary. In cases of severe refractory asthma in adults, healthcare providers may explore alternative treatments, such as bronchial thermoplasty, a procedure that uses heat to contract smooth muscle within the lungs this reduces the tendency of the airways to constrict, thereby promoting easier breathing. However, it is essential to engage in a comprehensive discussion with your health care provider to weigh the potential risks and benefits of such interventions.
FAQs
Q. What is asthma?
A. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways, important passageways that make it easier for air to move in and out of the lungs. In asthmatics these airways are often swollen and constricted, causing painful symptoms like wheezing, coughing and chest pain
Q. What causes asthma?
A. The exact cause of asthma remains a mystery. It appears to be a complex interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Asthma attacks can be triggered by exposure to specific asthma triggers, factors or conditions that can trigger or exacerbate asthma symptoms Asthma can manifest differently, such as allergic asthma, nonallergic asthma, occupational asthma, and exercise induced asthma.
Q. What are the symptoms of asthma?
A. Asthma manifests with a collection of symptoms that can range from mild to severe. These symptoms may be intermittent or continuous, occurring daily or sporadically. Common manifestations include:
– Tightness of the chest
– Cough, usually more pronounced at night or in the morning
– Shortness of breath
– Symptom of whistling during respiration
Q. What is the treatment for asthma?
A. Lifestyle adjustments and special procedures including avoiding triggers, using prompt relief medications during attacks, taking control medications regularly, avoiding smoking, and emergency care of severe attacks can be considered in the treatment of asthma.
