Asthma
What Is Asthma?
Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow due to increase secretion of mucous. This cause a sudden attack of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
For some people, asthma is a minor medical issue. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
Asthma is a chronic condition. It may not be cured, but symptoms could be controlled with medications and avoiding risks factors that can trigger an acute attack.
Causes
Some patients are more susceptible to develop Asthma than other because of environmental and genetic factors.
Predisposing factors
Exposure to various irritants and substances that trigger allergies (allergens) can trigger asthma attacks. This include:
- Exposure to allergens such as pollen, mold spores, pet dander, insects waste, and air pollutants such as smoke
- Respiratory infections, such as the common cold and flu
- Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
- Cold dry air
- Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin, NSAID (ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve)
- Strong emotions and stress
- Food and beverages including shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your throat
Suffice to say that triggering factors may vary from one person to another.
Risk factors
Several factors are thought to increase your chances of developing asthma. These include:
- Having a first degree relative with asthma such as parent or siblings
- Having another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis
- Being overweight
- Being a smoker
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Exposure to occupational pollutants such as smoke, chemical fumes.
Symptoms
Asthma symptoms can differ from person to person. Attacks may be infrequent, or they occur only at certain times — such as when exercising — or have symptoms all the time.
Asthma signs and symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Coughing or wheezing during exhaling
- Symptoms may get worse by an upper respiratory illness such a cold or the flu.
Signs that your asthma is probably worsening include:
- Symptoms and signs are becoming more often.
- Increasing difficulty breathing
- Decrease peak airflow using your home peak flow meter
When to see a doctor
Seek emergency treatment
Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Signs of an asthma emergency include:
- Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
- No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler, such as albuterol
- Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity
Asthma Management Plan
The better informed you are about your condition, the better control you will have over your asthma symptoms. To assist, you and your allergist will develop a personalized management plan. This plan includes:
- Ways to avoid your asthma triggers.
- Medications to prevent symptoms as well as medications to use for quick relief of flare-ups.
- An asthma action plan to identify when you are doing well and when you need to seek help.
- A partnership between you, your family, your allergist and other healthcare providers.
Together, you and your allergist can work to ensure that asthma interferes with your daily life as little as possible.?
Asthma Medications
Asthma is a chronic disease, so it requires ongoing management. This includes using proper medications to prevent and control symptoms and to reduce airway inflammation.
There are two general classes of asthma medications, quick-relief and long-term controller medications. Your allergist may recommend one or a combination of two or more of these medications.
Quick-relief medications?such as beta-agonists inhalers or nybulizers are bronchodilators used to provide temporary relief of symptoms and, at times, used before exercise. Another type of medicine called an anticholinergic may be used at times.
Long-term controller medications?such as inhaled corticosteroid and leukotriene modifiers are important for many people with asthma, and are taken on a daily basis to control airway inflammation.
Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists are symptom controllers that open your airways.
Current recommendations are for them to be used only along with inhaled corticosteroids.
Methylxanthines can help open the airways and may have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. Theophylline is the most frequently used methylxanthine. Blood levels of theophylline need to be monitored.
Omalizumab is an injectable drug that helps reduce allergic inflammation. It is used in certain patients with severe persistent allergic asthma.
Bronchial Thermoplasty is an outpatient procedure that reduces the smooth muscle around the airways. It may be considered in patients with severe asthma.
Prevention
While there’s no way to prevent asthma, by working together, you and your doctor can design a step-by-step plan for living with your condition and preventing asthma attacks.
- Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia.?
- Identify and avoid asthma triggers that were discussed above.
- Try to recognize early signs of impending attacks such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, and treat it quickly
- Regularly measure and record your peak airflow with a home peak flow meter. When the peak airflow decreases take your medication immediately and stop any activity that may have triggered the attack
- Take your medication as prescribed.
- Pay attention to increasing quick-relief inhaler use.?If you find yourself relying on your quick-relief inhaler, such as albuterol, your asthma isn’t under control. See your doctor about adjusting your treatment.
Next steps
If you need further information and obtain a second opinion please download the app “Obur Health PA” from the App Store or call 832-730-4479
or call 832-730-4479
