Asthma – An Emerging Lifestyle Disease
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes difficulty in regular breathing. The airways in the ‘asthma affected’ lungs are highly responsive to various stimuli such as smoking, pollen, or infections. Asthma is a sensitive medical issue. Best Asthma Treatment also involves multiple medications, both of which must be given with due time. Furthermore, the use of inhalers is also tricky and involves some physical skills to get the necessary medication into your lungs. Like influenza or an ear infection, no medicine can treat asthma. Instead, asthma can be treated by keeping a check on its signs and symptoms. You can do just that, with some education, time, and dedication.
There are different types of Asthma such as – Allergic, Non – Allergic, Exercise-Induced, Occupational Asthma, Cough Variant Asthma, Medication Induced, Nocturnal Asthma, Glucocorticoids-Resistant Asthma, and other conditions that mimic Asthma. Diagnosing which type of asthma you have will help make more precise action in regards to when and where you have asthma. Take a look at all of the types of asthma that can affect you here.
Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
The symptoms and warning signs of worsening asthma include:
- Breathing with difficulty and whistling sound
- Increased coughing
- Occasional chest tightness
- Fatigue or shortness of breath when performing normal activities
- Worsening allergies
- Pale skin
- Anxiety or a sense of panic
- Difficulty in walking due to lack in breathing
- Cyanosis (lips, toes, or fingers turning blue)
What Happens During an Asthma Attack and what to do if you’re having one?
Asthma attacks are generally a result of situation called broncho-constriction which means bronchial tightening. Your bronchi are pathways through which oxygen gets into your lungs. And during Asthma, the immune system will overact and release chemicals that cause broncho – constriction into the bloodstream, making it difficult for air to reach the lungs. Asthma attacks have three distinct characteristics:
- Bronchoconstriction and spasm of the bronchi, which narrows or closes them off, preventing air from entering the lungs
- Excessive mucus in the lungs—which clogs the bronchi, restricting air flow
- Inflammation of the air passages, which thickens the bronchi, narrowing the lumen (opening)
The asthma attack is actually a severe worsening of your asthma symptoms caused by inflammation, swelling and mucus induced by a narrowing of your airway inside the lungs. The asthma care plan is important for anyone who has asthma and wants to keep the symptoms from getting worse. The first step is to consult a specialist and get an asthma care plan.
Asthma Action Plan to keep your asthma in check.
- Avoid triggers – If you can avoid your asthma triggers, you might have better asthma control. Tips to avoid Asthma Triggers include reducing of household dust, decrease humidity to prevent mold spore growth and use an air conditioner or wear a face mask when exposed to polluted atmosphere or while travelling.
- Recognize early warning signs of an asthma attack – An important part of identifying and understanding your asthma triggers is measuring and tracking your asthma symptoms. You can monitor your asthma using two different methods:
- Using Peak Flow Meter to monitor your respiratory function
- Tracking and reviewing your symptoms
- Quit Smoking – Nearly one in four people with asthma smoke. And getting asthma under control for a smoker becomes very difficult. If you smoke, quitting is only solution for you to avoid getting asthma.
- Control Heartburn – if you experience burning pain in the lower chest area make sure you immediately report this kind of heartburn or other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to your doctor. This kind of burnings can irritate your airways and lead to worsen your asthma symptoms.
- Exercise and Healthy Weight – being overweight can worsen your asthma symptoms. Hence, doing exercise can help you keep your Asthma in control or help prevent Asthma symptoms
An Asthma Action Plan is also a communication tool between you and your doctor. Asthma action plans are generally divided into three zones, each of which relates to a different level of asthma control and what to do when you find yourself in those zones:
- Green (under control)
- Yellow (asthma is getting worse)
- Red (seek medical help)
Conclusion :
It’s no doubt that having asthma makes life more difficult. But with good asthma treatment, most people can do almost anything they want just like other normal beings. All you need is proper awareness about your disease and start with effective Asthma Treatments at Horizon Prime Hospital in Ghodbunder, Thane as we have an advanced breathing disorders centre and specialize in diagnosis of complex conditions such as unexplained breathlessness, Asthma , Chronic bronchitis, Empyhsema and Pulmonary Hypertension.
