Asthma is a lung illness that can cause wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath due to the swelling and constriction of airways. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, treatment options, and management techniques for Asthma.

Asthma is a type of lung illness where excess mucus constricts and swells your airways, obstructing them. Asthma is like a straw that has been squeezed is a good analogy for asthma. It gets more difficult to draw air into and out of the straw as it is squeezed. In the same way it becomes more difficult to breathe for someone with Asthma when the airways in their lungs swell or narrow.

Just as it might be challenging to get the liquid out of a squeezed straw when drinking. This leads to wheezing, coughing, and also shortness of breath. Asthma inhalers are the most common type of treatment.

Types of Asthma In India

According to its cause and how severe its symptoms are, there are several types of Asthma.

• Allergic Asthma
• ‘Seasonal’ Asthma
• Occupational Asthma
• Non-allergic Asthma
• ‘Exercise induced’ Asthma
• Difficult Asthma
• Severe Asthma

Asthma in India is on the rise as a recent report from the Global Asthma Network, Asthma patients in India shy away from seeking medical care. Around 82% of patients with early symptoms and 70% of patients with severe Asthma go misdiagnosed. Just 23% of patients with Asthma use the term Asthma to describe their condition, and the remainder use another term.

Nevertheless, fewer than 2.5% of the diagnosed patients are brave enough to routinely use the inhaler because the majority of them still view it as improper. Asthma in kids is also becoming major concern as kids aged 3 to 12 years, childhood Asthma was recorded in 2.96% of cases.

What are the Symptoms of Asthma?

As we already know what is Asthma, let us now see what are its symptoms. Asthma sufferers typically exhibit clear symptoms. Many respiratory infections share certain symptoms and signs:

• Chest pressure, discomfort, or tightness
• Coughing (particularly at night) (especially at night)
• Breathing difficulty
• Wheezing

Not every flare-up of Asthma will cause you to experience all of these symptoms. With persistent Asthma, you may have various indications and symptoms at various periods. Moreover, Asthma attacks might cause different symptoms.

What are the Causes of Asthma?

Many people do not develop Asthma until they are adults, despite the fact that it is particularly common among youngsters. Asthma has multiple causes, none of which have been pinpointed. Instead, they think it is brought on by a number of things. These elements comprise:

• Genetics: You have a higher chance of developing asthma if a parent or sibling does.
• Viral Infections: The likelihood of developing the illness may be increased in those who have a history of severe viral infections in infancy, such as respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV).
• Hygiene Hypothesis: According to this notion, when infants are not exposed to enough germs throughout their first few months and years, their immune systems do not develop to a level where they can effectively combat Asthma and other allergy disorders.

Moreover, a variety of circumstances can aggravate Asthma symptoms. Asthma triggers can differ from person to person, and some people may be more sensitive to particular triggers than others.

What are the Treatment Options for Asthma?

Asthma cannot be fully cured but its prevention is possible. Below given another treatment options available for asthma patients:

• Bronchodilators: They help ease the muscles that surround your airways. The airways might move because of the loosened muscles. They also facilitate easier passage of mucus across the airways. These medications are used for both intermittent and chronic Asthma, and they ease your symptoms as they arise.
• Anti-inflammatory Medicines: Your airways' swelling and mucus production are decreased by these medications. They facilitate the entry and escape of air from your lungs. To manage or avoid your chronic Asthma symptoms, your doctor may recommend taking these every day.
• Biologic Therapies: When severe asthma symptoms continue despite receiving the right inhaler medication, they are used.

There are numerous ways you can take Asthma medications. You can inhale the medications using a nebulizer, metered-dose inhaler, or any another kind of Asthma inhaler. You may also be given oral drugs to swallow by your healthcare practitioner.

How To Manage Asthma?

To effectively manage Asthma, medication is necessary. Treatment of other illnesses, such as hay fever, that may have an impact on Asthma is also a part of good Asthma management. You can maintain control over your Asthma symptoms and feel good by leading a healthy lifestyle.

An Asthma Patient can live a normal, active life with proper Asthma care. The best method to keep your Asthma under control is to adhere to the individualized written asthma action plan you and your doctor developed.

A simple action plan offers guidance on how to regularly manage your asthma as well as what to do if your symptoms worsen.

FAQs

What is the main cause of Asthma?

Allergies, air pollution, and other airborne irritants, together with other medical problems, such as respiratory infections, physical activity, weather, air temperature changes, intense emotions, and some medications, are the most frequent asthma triggers. Each has different triggers for their asthma.

What are the main symptoms of Asthma?

The main symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness or pain, wheeze (a whistling sound as you breathe), being awakened at night by asthma, and your peak flow meter reading dropping (if you use one)

Can Asthma be cured?

Sadly, there is no known treatment for asthma. As a result, when exposed to triggers, you can get asthma symptoms. This is true even if you do not have symptoms very frequently. The severity of your asthma and how frequently you experience symptoms will determine how you are treated. Your triggers may change over time.

How to avoid Asthma?

You can avoid asthma by quitting smoking, get your flu shot, when painting, working on a house or yard, put on a mask, use HEPA filters in your air conditioner, furnace, and vacuum, to minimise allergies, use protective pillowcases and sheets and keep pets away from your house

Can Asthma be temporary?

Many people have asthma for a very long time, especially if they first experience it as an adult. It sometimes disappears or gets better in adolescence in youngsters, although it can also reappear later in life. Usually, medical intervention can reduce the symptoms.

Can I live long with Asthma?

Most asthmatics can have regular lives with treatment. There are also more straightforward methods you can use to keep your symptoms under control.