WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Asthma is a lung condition that causes the bronchioles of the airway to swell, narrow and produce extra mucus. The condition can make breathing more challenging for a patient; however, there are many treatment modalities that can help manage the symptoms of asthma and control the flare-ups. For some people, asthma is a minor issue while others may have attacks that can interfere with daily activities and even be life threatening. It is important to know what triggers your asthma and try to avoid it.
Asthma is common in childhood and can be a long-term chronic disease; however, some children can outgrow it. Asthma has the tendency to run in families. For some people, the symptoms flare under certain conditions, such as: allergies, exercise, illnesses and occupationally, or while breathing in chemicals or fumes at work. Your general physician can examine your lung sounds and ask specific questions to help determine what type of asthma you have and how much it is impacting your daily life.
ASTHMA TRIGGERS
Once you have been diagnosed with asthma, you will learn what triggers the condition and try to avoid it. For some people, seasonal allergies are a major trigger, and although it is difficult to avoid allergies, you can control your asthma with certain medications that will help reduce the risk of asthma attacks.
Common asthma triggers:
Your doctor will create a detailed asthma action plan to help you manage your asthma. Following your treatment plan will help keep your asthma controlled and reduce the risks of asthma attack.
SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA
Asthma symptoms will vary from person to person. Some people may only have symptoms at certain times and others may have symptoms all of the time.
Common symptoms of asthma:
If you notice any of these symptoms or if your asthma is getting worse, contact your doctor right away. You may need to change a medication or increase a dosage during a flare to keep you comfortable.
ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Asthma can be diagnosed based on symptoms, health history evaluation and lung function tests. During your exam, your physician will rule out other causes of breathing difficulty, like COPD. There are lung function tests (spirometry and peak flow) that can help identify how much air moves in and out of our lungs as you breathe. Your doctor will classify the severity of your asthma in accordance with the results of your testing and examination.
The goal of asthma treatment is to have long term control over symptoms and flare ups and to treat any asthma symptoms before they start. Treatment usually involves identifying and avoiding triggers, and taking medications to keep the symptoms under control. If allergies trigger your asthma, it will be necessary to get your allergies under control as well, either through medications or immunotherapy (allergy shots). Exercising can produce symptoms of asthma. Therefore, taking a bronchodilator before high exertion will help prevent full blown asthma symptoms after exercise. Following an asthma action plan tailored to your specific symptoms will help you be able to predict, and effectively manage, your asthma. Your doctor will guide you toward the best treatment modalities to keep your asthma well controlled.
