Overview
Have you ever felt yourself being ‘air hungry’, trying to catch a breath? This is what happens in Asthma. Asthma is a non-transmissible condition that is common in both adults and children. It affects the lungs in such a way that airways become inflamed and swollen. It is oftentimes an undertreated ailment. In the US, around 25 million people are affected by Asthma. Asthma can not be eliminated completely but can be managed with appropriate treatment. To learn more about the condition and its management, consider reaching out to Research Organizations conducting Asthma Clinical Trials.
Continue reading to understand Asthma, its symptoms, causes, and impact on life.
What Happens During an Asthma Attack?
During an asthma attack, the airways swell and inflame, it is also called an asthma exacerbation. The breathing tubes (bronchial tubes) narrow as a result of the muscles around the airways contracting and producing additional mucus.
You might cough, wheeze, and have breathing difficulties during an attack. With quick at-home care, minor asthma attack symptoms could improve. However, in a severe asthma attack, a life-threatening emergency might develop that doesn’t get better with home care.
The symptoms of severe asthma might vary from person to person and it is always advised to get yourself checked if you notice any difference in your symptoms.
What are the Symptoms to Look Out For?
Asthma may present differently in every case. However, some of the common symptoms are:
1. Shortness of breath,
2. Tightness in the chest,
3. Coughing due to respiratory virus,
4. Breathing sounds, and
5. Difficulty sleeping.
What Triggers Asthma?
When an individual is exposed to specific triggers, an excessively sensitive immune system causes their airways (bronchial tubes) to swell and become inflamed. Each individual has different asthma triggers.
Common causes of asthma attacks include:
1. Pets, mold, pollen, and dust mites
2. Upper respiratory illnesses
3. Cigarette smoke
4. Breathing in brisk, dry air
5. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
6. Stress
Many people find that respiratory illnesses like the common cold make their asthma symptoms worse. Some people experience asthma flare-ups as a result of anything at work. Sometimes an asthma episode appears to have no apparent cause.
How Can We Prevent an Asthma Attack?
As previously discussed, Asthma can be managed but cannot be cured. Therefore, it is essential to keep a check on your symptoms and adopt ways to prevent an Asthmatic episode that could potentially disrupt your daily life. There are certain ways that could help in preventing an Asthma attack. These include:
Pinpoint your Asthma triggers:
Finding your asthma triggers and taking preventative measures to avoid them is essential. You can record your symptoms in a diary specifically for Asthma, for several weeks. List all the physical and psychological factors that have an impact on your asthma. If you experience an asthma episode, review your diary to see what, if anything, may have contributed to it.
Try to stay away from allergens:
It’s crucial to avoid allergens if you suffer from allergies and asthma. Exposure to allergens might temporarily worsen the inflammation in your airways, increasing the likelihood of an attack.
Avoid smoke:
Asthma and smoke don’t blend well. Reducing your exposure to any smoke, including that from cigarettes, incense, candles, fires, and fireworks can significantly help relieve symptoms. Smoking cigarettes can worsen asthma, it is always better to avoid or quit smoking.
Get yourself vaccinated:
Getting regular flu shots can help in preventing asthma. As asthma makes you more prone to complications from flu.
Take your prescription medicines:
Long-term asthma treatments are designed to stop attacks and symptoms. Even if you are symptom-free, you must take your medications daily. They’ll reduce airway inflammation and keep your asthma under control, making flare-ups less likely.
Treatment Options for Asthma
Although there is no definite cure for asthma, it can be treated and prevented with the right steps. It’s critical to comprehend your condition, recognize your triggers, and then develop strategies to keep yourself from coming into contact with those triggers. You might need to take the suggested medications if you have a flare-up.
The proper medicine will vary depending on your age, your symptoms, your medical history, and your asthma triggers. The typical course of treatment asks for the use of an inhaler or bronchodilator. A bronchodilator commonly referred to as a ‘rescue inhaler’, immediately relaxes the muscles in your airways.
Inhalers come in several varieties depending on how long they take to work. Both long-acting and short-acting inhalers are amongst them. Short-acting rescue inhalers are utilized to quickly alleviate an asthma attack. Long-acting inhalers are more effective and can provide up to 12 hours of symptom relief. Everyday use of this kind of inhaler helps to prevent asthma episodes.
The use of oral and intravenous corticosteroids, anticholinergic drugs, and beta-agonists are other treatments for acute pain. They all help to swiftly alleviate the symptoms of asthma, such as chest tightness and breathing difficulties.
Asthma Action Plan
Globally, an Asthma Action Plan is developed by healthcare professionals, keeping in mind the symptoms and concerns of the patients. It is a guideline or a written worksheet that helps the affected individuals in understanding the condition and ways to manage it in case they experience a flare-up.
For children, the Asthma action plan should be distributed to all caregivers, including childcare centers, schools, and aftercare programs. It is written in a simpler manner that is easy to comprehend by caretakers including parents and school staff.
What’s the Outlook for People With Asthma?
Even with asthma, it’s still possible to live a highly successful life and take part in sports and other activities. Moreover, your doctor can assist you in managing symptoms, discovering your triggers, and preventing or controlling attacks.
Outlook
Asthma flare-ups, including coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea, can worsen over time. Viral respiratory infections are frequently blamed for asthma flare-ups. These flare-ups can have a devastating impact on one’s general well-being. Therefore, it is always better to consult your physician in case you notice any changes in your body.
Once Asthma is diagnosed, a doctor would work with the patient to create an Asthma treatment plan. This plan outlines the early indicators and signals of an asthma attack so that those who suffer from the condition can recognize an attack and know what to do.
Additionally, Asthma flare-ups can be extremely harmful, especially for those who are already at high risk. A definite asthma action plan, on the other hand, streamlines the care that a person needs when they experience a flare-up. To assist in developing an effective treatment strategy for people with Asthma, numerous Clinical Research centers are conducting Clinical Trials in Michigan.
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