Asthma – Symptoms and Causes
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a breathing disorder that causes airways to narrow, swell, and produce excess mucus. This makes breathing difficult and often leads to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
The impact of asthma varies from person to person. Some people experience mild symptoms that cause little disruption to daily life. For others, asthma can significantly interfere with regular activities and may even lead to dangerous asthma attacks.
Asthma cannot be cured, but proper management can control its symptoms effectively. The condition tends to change over time, so regular medical check-ups are important.
Key symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Wheezing sound when exhaling
- Shortness of breath
Signs of Asthma
Asthma affects people differently. Some have rare attacks, others experience symptoms during specific activities like exercise, and some deal with constant symptoms.
Common signs of asthma include:
- Feeling short of breath
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Wheezing sounds when breathing out (especially common in children)
- Sleep problems due to breathing issues or coughing
- Coughing or wheezing that worsens with colds or flu
Your asthma may be getting worse if you notice:
- More frequent and troublesome symptoms
- Greater difficulty breathing (measurable with a peak flow meter)
- Needing to use your quick-relief inhaler more often
Specific Trigger Situations
Some people experience asthma flare-ups in certain conditions:
| Trigger Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Exercise-induced | Symptoms worsen during physical activity, especially in cold, dry air |
| Workplace | Triggered by irritants at work, such as chemical fumes, gases, or dust |
| Allergy-related | Caused by airborne substances like pollen, mold, cockroach waste, or pet dander |
When to Get Medical Help
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience:
- Quick worsening of breathing difficulty or wheezing
- No improvement after using your quick-relief inhaler
- Shortness of breath during minimal activity
Make a doctor’s appointment if:
- You think you might have asthma. Early treatment can prevent lung damage and stop the condition from worsening.
- You need to monitor your asthma after diagnosis. Working with your doctor helps keep your condition under control and prevents life-threatening attacks.
- Your symptoms get worse. Contact your doctor right away if your medicine isn’t helping or if you are using your quick-relief inhaler more often.
Important: Never take more medicine than prescribed without talking to your doctor first. Overusing asthma medication can cause side effects and might make your asthma worse.
What Causes Asthma
Asthma likely develops from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Scientists aren’t sure why some people get asthma and others donโt, but family history and environmental factors are significant.
Things That Trigger Asthma Attacks
Many different things can set off asthma symptoms, and these triggers vary from person to person. Common asthma triggers include:
- Allergens in the air like pollen, dust mites, mold, pet hair, and cockroach waste particles
- Respiratory infections such as colds and flu
- Exercise or physical activity
- Cold air exposure
- Air pollution, including smoke and chemical fumes
- Certain medications like beta-blockers and pain relievers (ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen)
- Strong emotions or stress
- Food additives such as sulfites, found in wine, dried fruits, and some processed foods
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (when stomach acid flows back into your throat)
Most people with asthma have multiple triggers, and these can change over time.
Risk Factors
Several elements may increase a person’s chance of developing asthma:
- Family history: Having a parent or sibling with asthma.
- Allergic conditions: Having conditions like atopic dermatitis (red, itchy skin) or hay fever.
- Weight issues: Being overweight.
- Tobacco exposure: Being a smoker or breathing secondhand smoke.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to air pollution or exhaust fumes.
- Workplace triggers: Contact with chemicals used in jobs like farming, hairdressing, or manufacturing.
Health Risks and Issues
Asthma can lead to several problems in daily life. People may find it hard to sleep, work, and do other activities when symptoms flare up. During bad episodes, they might miss school or work days.
The airways can become permanently narrower over time, making breathing more difficult. Severe attacks may require trips to the emergency room or hospital stays.
Long-term use of certain asthma medications might cause unwanted side effects. These vary depending on the specific medicine.
Prevention
While asthma cannot be completely prevented, people with this condition can work with their doctors to create effective management plans. These plans help control symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
Create and Follow an Asthma Action Plan
Working with healthcare providers to develop a detailed plan is essential. This written plan should include:
- Instructions for daily medication use
- Steps to take during an asthma flare-up
- Emergency contact information
- When to seek medical help
Following this plan consistently gives patients more control over their condition.
Get Recommended Vaccinations
Staying current with influenza and pneumonia vaccinations helps prevent these illnesses from triggering asthma attacks.
Identify and Avoid Triggers
Common asthma triggers include:
| Environmental Triggers | Other Triggers |
|---|---|
| Pollen | Exercise |
| Mold | Stress |
| Cold air | Certain foods |
| Air pollution | Medications |
| Pet dander | Respiratory infections |
Monitor Breathing Regularly
Recognizing early warning signs such as mild coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath can help prevent severe attacks. Using a peak flow meter at home to measure lung function can identify problems even before symptoms appear.
Act Quickly When Symptoms Begin
Early treatment of asthma symptoms typically requires less medication and prevents severe attacks. When peak flow readings drop or symptoms appear:
- Take medication as prescribed in the action plan
- Stop any activities that might have triggered symptoms
- Seek medical help if symptoms don’t improve quickly
Take Medications as Prescribed
Medication consistency is crucial for asthma control. Patients should:
- Never change medication dosages without consulting your doctor
- Bring all medications to doctor appointments
- Use medications correctly as demonstrated by healthcare providers
Track Quick-Relief Inhaler Use
Increasing reliance on quick-relief inhalers (like albuterol) indicates that asthma is not well-controlled. If this happens, patients should contact their doctor to adjust their treatment plan.
