What is Asthma?
Asthma is a common disorder that affects the airways. The condition is wide-ranging, with many underlying disease processes, as well as differences in severity, clinical course, and therapy response.
Asthma is a common lung disease that causes breathing problems on occasion. There are different types of asthma – allergic, non-allergic, and cough variant to name a few. It affects people of all ages and frequently begins in childhood, however it can also appear in adults for the first time.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
- Cough – worsens at night
- Difficulty breathing
- A whistling sound when breathing (wheeze)
- Tightness around the chest
- Symptoms can sometimes worsen for a short period of time, which is also known as an asthma attack.
What causes and triggers asthma?
Asthma is caused by swelling of airways (breathing tubes). These tubes become extremely sensitive as a result, and they narrow briefly. It can happen randomly or after exposure to a trigger. Common triggers include; allergies, smoke, cold air, exercise, infection like the common cold. Identifying and avoiding triggers can help you keep your symptoms at bay.
Complications of Asthma.
Although asthma is usually manageable, it is nonetheless a serious condition that can lead to a variety of complications. This is why it’s critical to stick to your treatment plan and not overlook symptoms that are worsening.
Asthma that is not well controlled can lead to issues such as:
- Feeling exhausted all the time
- Stress, anxiety, or sadness underperformance from job or school
- Unplanned visits to the doctor or the hospital can cause work and leisure to be disrupted, as can lung infections (pneumonia) and delays in growth or puberty in youngsters.
- Severe asthma attacks, which can be fatal, are also a possibility.
How can you treat asthma?
Asthma is typically treated with an inhaler, which is a little device that allows you to breathe in medications.
The most common types are:
- Reliever inhalers – used when asthma symptoms need to be relieved quickly for a short period of time.
- Preventer inhalers are used on a daily basis to keep asthma symptoms at bay.
- Some people additionally require the use of tablets.
When to see a GP?
If you suspect you or your child has asthma, see your doctor. A variety of illnesses can create identical symptoms, it’s critical to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Typically, a GP can diagnose asthma by asking about symptoms and performing a few easy tests.
References
https://www.asthma.ie/
https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Asthma/Aspirin-Exacerbated-Respiratory-Disease-(AERD)