Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest are symptoms which are quite familiar for someone who has asthma. Only those who have had an asthma attack can fully understand how scary and how frustrating it can be. But what is asthma and can it be prevented and/or treated? Read on to know more about this very debilitating respiratory condition.
What is asthma?
Asthma (pronounced “aZma”) affects the air passages of the lungs. When we breathe, air is inhaled through the nose. This is where it is warmed, filtered, and humidified. Once the air has gone through these processes, it passes through the throat and into the trachea or the windpipe. The windpipe divides into two tubes or the large bronchi. These two tubes further divide into smaller tubes or smaller bronchi. These are then further divided into small airways called bronchioles which lead to the lungs. Once the air passes through the trachea it enters the bronchi or the airways and reaches your lung.
Asthma is a condition that affects the bronchi or the airways that carry the air into and out of your lungs. In asthma, these airways become inflamed, that is, they become red, swollen and sensitive. Inflammation makes the airways over-sensitive to certain substances.
When these substances are inhaled, the already sensitive airways react. The muscles around the airways tighten. The linings of the airways become swollen. And the problem gets worse with more mucus being produced and blocking the airways. All these factors together combine to restrict the amount of air that reaches the lungs by obstructing the airways. The individual thus finds it difficult to inhale or exhale air. If the symptoms are mild and are treated as soon as they occur, they can be controlled easily with the help of medications. But if the symptoms are not treated immediately or if they get more intense, the individual has what is called an asthma attack.
What are the causes of asthma?
The causes of asthma are not fully known. However, it is believed that it is likely to run in families and may be inherited. Respiratory infections or allergies in early childhood have often been found to negatively affect the development of the immune system and lead to asthma in later life. For some people, the symptoms of asthma are worse during particular season.
There is also the “hygiene hypothesis” which states that the emphasis on hygiene and sanitation has affected the way the immune system develops in most young children these days. According to this hypothesis, the lack of exposure to environmental factors and infections at a young age increases the risk of developing asthma in adulthood.
Asthma symptoms often occur as a result of exposure to certain substances in the environment. These substances are called triggers and can include allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, and tobacco smoke. Infections, colds, and flu can also trigger the symptoms of asthma. Exercise is also another factor that can trigger an asthma attack.
Certain medicines such as aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers are also believed to trigger asthma symptoms. Certain other medical conditions such as sleep apnea, sinus infections, excessive stress, and reflux may also lead to asthma.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Symptoms of asthma include:
Coughing - Often overlooked, coughing is one of the main symptoms of asthma. It is usually worse at night or early in the morning. Sleep is often disturbed due to repeated coughing.
Wheezing - Wheezing is one of the most noticeable symptoms of asthma. It is a whistling sound that can be heard while the patient is breathing.
Tightness in the chest - Since there is difficulty in pushing the air out through the narrowed airways, the lung tends to get inflated. This leads to a feeling of tightness in the chest as if something heavy has been placed on it.
Shortness of breath - People with asthma describe this symptom as feeling out of breath. It feels as if the individual is not getting enough air.
Excessive mucus - Mucus is a thick, sticky liquid. When excessive and thicker than usual mucus is produced, the airways are obstructed. This leads to coughing and difficulty in breathing.
How is asthma diagnosed?
Your physician will most likely ask about your symptoms, how often they occur, what usually sets them off, and whether you suffer from any other diseases or disorders. He/she will ask you if you have a family history of asthma. A peak-flow meter might be used to test how much air can be expelled from your lungs and how fast. Your physician might also suggest other tests which include a spirometry test or lung function test which is aimed at testing how your lungs are working, an allergy test, a chest x-ray, and a test to find out if you might have any other disease with symptoms similar to asthma.
How is asthma treated?
Although there is no permanent cure for asthma, it can be controlled. A good asthma action plan should be aimed at preventing symptoms and maintaining good lung function and normal activity levels. Avoiding excessive exposure to trigger factors is an important part of asthma control. Regular consultation with your physician will help in the effective management of your asthma.
Severity of your disease will determine the medications and treatment prescribed. Asthma medications are aimed at providing long-term control and quick relief. Inhalers are usually prescribed for asthma. These can be of two types: relievers and preventatives. Relievers are used for quick relief during an asthma attack. Preventatives such as inhaled corticosteroids are used for long-term control since they help in reducing the inflammation of the airways.
There are certain natural remedies which can also help prevent asthma attacks. These include honey, ginger, and turmeric. Regular intake of these natural remedies is believed to help control the symptoms of asthma. Deep breathing and yogic breathing is also believed to prevent asthma attacks and reduce the need for medications.
There is no known way to prevent asthma. However, if you have asthma, you can control the disease and prevent the symptoms. So make sure to have a written asthma action plan, get regular checkups done, follow the instructions of your physician, and take your medications as prescribed. It may not be possible to cure asthma, but proper planning can help you control it and live a normal life.
What is asthma?
Asthma (pronounced “aZma”) affects the air passages of the lungs. When we breathe, air is inhaled through the nose. This is where it is warmed, filtered, and humidified. Once the air has gone through these processes, it passes through the throat and into the trachea or the windpipe. The windpipe divides into two tubes or the large bronchi. These two tubes further divide into smaller tubes or smaller bronchi. These are then further divided into small airways called bronchioles which lead to the lungs. Once the air passes through the trachea it enters the bronchi or the airways and reaches your lung.
Asthma is a condition that affects the bronchi or the airways that carry the air into and out of your lungs. In asthma, these airways become inflamed, that is, they become red, swollen and sensitive. Inflammation makes the airways over-sensitive to certain substances.
When these substances are inhaled, the already sensitive airways react. The muscles around the airways tighten. The linings of the airways become swollen. And the problem gets worse with more mucus being produced and blocking the airways. All these factors together combine to restrict the amount of air that reaches the lungs by obstructing the airways. The individual thus finds it difficult to inhale or exhale air. If the symptoms are mild and are treated as soon as they occur, they can be controlled easily with the help of medications. But if the symptoms are not treated immediately or if they get more intense, the individual has what is called an asthma attack.
What are the causes of asthma?
The causes of asthma are not fully known. However, it is believed that it is likely to run in families and may be inherited. Respiratory infections or allergies in early childhood have often been found to negatively affect the development of the immune system and lead to asthma in later life. For some people, the symptoms of asthma are worse during particular season.
There is also the “hygiene hypothesis” which states that the emphasis on hygiene and sanitation has affected the way the immune system develops in most young children these days. According to this hypothesis, the lack of exposure to environmental factors and infections at a young age increases the risk of developing asthma in adulthood.
Asthma symptoms often occur as a result of exposure to certain substances in the environment. These substances are called triggers and can include allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, and tobacco smoke. Infections, colds, and flu can also trigger the symptoms of asthma. Exercise is also another factor that can trigger an asthma attack.
Certain medicines such as aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers are also believed to trigger asthma symptoms. Certain other medical conditions such as sleep apnea, sinus infections, excessive stress, and reflux may also lead to asthma.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Symptoms of asthma include:
Coughing - Often overlooked, coughing is one of the main symptoms of asthma. It is usually worse at night or early in the morning. Sleep is often disturbed due to repeated coughing.
Wheezing - Wheezing is one of the most noticeable symptoms of asthma. It is a whistling sound that can be heard while the patient is breathing.
Tightness in the chest - Since there is difficulty in pushing the air out through the narrowed airways, the lung tends to get inflated. This leads to a feeling of tightness in the chest as if something heavy has been placed on it.
Shortness of breath - People with asthma describe this symptom as feeling out of breath. It feels as if the individual is not getting enough air.
Excessive mucus - Mucus is a thick, sticky liquid. When excessive and thicker than usual mucus is produced, the airways are obstructed. This leads to coughing and difficulty in breathing.
How is asthma diagnosed?
Your physician will most likely ask about your symptoms, how often they occur, what usually sets them off, and whether you suffer from any other diseases or disorders. He/she will ask you if you have a family history of asthma. A peak-flow meter might be used to test how much air can be expelled from your lungs and how fast. Your physician might also suggest other tests which include a spirometry test or lung function test which is aimed at testing how your lungs are working, an allergy test, a chest x-ray, and a test to find out if you might have any other disease with symptoms similar to asthma.
How is asthma treated?
Although there is no permanent cure for asthma, it can be controlled. A good asthma action plan should be aimed at preventing symptoms and maintaining good lung function and normal activity levels. Avoiding excessive exposure to trigger factors is an important part of asthma control. Regular consultation with your physician will help in the effective management of your asthma.
Severity of your disease will determine the medications and treatment prescribed. Asthma medications are aimed at providing long-term control and quick relief. Inhalers are usually prescribed for asthma. These can be of two types: relievers and preventatives. Relievers are used for quick relief during an asthma attack. Preventatives such as inhaled corticosteroids are used for long-term control since they help in reducing the inflammation of the airways.
There are certain natural remedies which can also help prevent asthma attacks. These include honey, ginger, and turmeric. Regular intake of these natural remedies is believed to help control the symptoms of asthma. Deep breathing and yogic breathing is also believed to prevent asthma attacks and reduce the need for medications.
There is no known way to prevent asthma. However, if you have asthma, you can control the disease and prevent the symptoms. So make sure to have a written asthma action plan, get regular checkups done, follow the instructions of your physician, and take your medications as prescribed. It may not be possible to cure asthma, but proper planning can help you control it and live a normal life.
Copyright © Roohi Khan - 2009
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