Asthma: Everything you need to know

Bronchial asthma is a disease that affects our lungs . In this, the walls of our airways become swollen, narrow, and filled with mucus. This makes it difficult to breathe. However, this condition can be controlled with medication. Asthma is a chronic disease. That means it cannot be cured completely. You need to continue taking your medication and follow your doctor's instructions.

How does asthma develop?

Normally, when we breathe, the muscles around our airways are relaxed. This allows us to breathe easily and without any problems. However, when we have asthma, the following things happen:

Bronchospasm:

The muscles around the airways tighten (constrict). Then the airways become narrow, making it difficult to breathe.

Inflammation:

The walls inside the airways swell, making breathing even more difficult.

Mucus production:

The body produces more mucus. This mucus gets stuck in the respiratory tract.

When all three of these things happen together, it becomes very difficult to breathe. That's what causes the "wheezing" sound when you breathe. This is also called an asthma attack/exacerbation/flare-up.

Types of Asthma

Asthma can be classified as follows, depending on the cause and severity of symptoms:

Based on Triggers:

• Allergic asthma : Some people have allergies to things like dust, pollen , and pet dander. When something like that comes into contact with the body, asthma develops.
• Non-allergic asthma: Sometimes asthma can be triggered by things like exercise, stress , illness, and cold air.

Based on Symptom Frequency:

• Intermittent asthma: This is not always the case. It comes and goes.
• Persistent asthma: This is a condition where symptoms are present all the time. It can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Doctors classify these based on how often the symptoms occur and how severe they are when they occur.

Based on Age of Onset:

• Adult-onset asthma: Asthma that develops after the age of 18.
• Pediatric/Childhood Asthma: Asthma that develops before the age of 5. Some children outgrow it as they get older. However, if your child has asthma, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about it and keep an inhaler handy, so that you can treat it quickly if it flares up again.

Other types:

• Exercise-induced asthma/Exercise-induced bronchospasm : Asthma that only occurs during exercise.
• Occupational Asthma: Asthma caused by things in the workplace (for example, exposure to flour, wood dust, chemicals ).
• Asthma- COPD Overlap Syndrome ( ACOS ): When asthma is accompanied by a condition called COPD ( Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ), it is called ACOS. COPD is also a disease that affects the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe.

Who can get asthma?

Anyone can develop asthma at any age. However, these people are at a slightly higher risk:

• For those with allergies
• For smokers and those exposed to second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke
• Women are more likely to develop asthma.
• Black people get asthma more often than others.

Causes and Risk Factors of Asthma

It's not clear why some people develop asthma and others don't. However, the following factors may increase your risk of developing asthma:

• Allergies: People with allergies are more likely to develop asthma.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to things like smoke, dust, and chemicals. These are especially bad for young babies because their immune systems are not yet fully developed.
• Genetics: If your family members have asthma , you are more likely to develop it too.
• Respiratory Infections : Some childhood illnesses (for example, RSV – Respiratory Syncytial Virus) can damage the lungs and lead to asthma over time.

Asthma Attack Triggers

For someone with asthma, an asthma attack occurs when they are exposed to something they are allergic to (trigger). Some people develop asthma immediately after exposure to these things. Others may develop it hours or days later. Not everyone is allergic to the same things. However, these things are a problem for many people:

• Air pollution: Things like smoke from factories, vehicle exhaust , and forest fires.
• Dust mites: These tiny creatures are invisible to us, but they are present in homes. This is a big problem for people who are allergic to dust mites.
• Exercise: Some people develop asthma when they exercise.
• Mold: Mold that grows in damp places can also trigger asthma. This can happen even to people who are not allergic to mold.
• Pests in the home: Animals like cockroaches and rats can also cause asthma.
• Pets: People who are allergic to animal fur and dander can also develop asthma.
• Tobacco smoke:If you smoke cigarettes, or if someone in your home smokes, you are more likely to develop asthma. Never smoke in enclosed spaces (in the car, indoors). If possible, it is best to quit smoking altogether.
• Strong chemicals or smells: Some people can also develop asthma due to the smell of things like perfumes and cleaning products.
• Occupational exposures: In some workplaces, people are exposed to things like flour, wood dust, and chemicals. These things can also cause asthma.

How to recognize asthma? (Symptoms)

People with asthma typically exhibit these symptoms. These symptoms are also common to other respiratory diseases:

• Chest tightness, pain or pressure.
• Coughing – especially at night.
• Shortness of breath.
• If you make a "whooshing" sound when breathing (wheezing).

Important: Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. Everyone may experience them differently, and some people may experience the same symptoms every time they have asthma.

Diagnosis of asthma

The doctor will examine you, ask about your symptoms, and ask about your family history, and may perform the following tests:

• Spirometry: This tests how much air your lungs can take in and how hard you can breathe out. This can help determine if you have asthma and how well your medications are controlling your condition.
• Chest X-ray
• Blood tests
• Skin tests – Check for allergies.

Treatment of asthma

There are several types of medications for asthma. These medications work by controlling things that happen in the airways.

• Bronchodilators:These medications work by relaxing the muscles around the airways. This makes it easier to breathe. There are two types of these: quick-relief (reliever/rescue) and long-term control (controller). Quick-relief medications are used to quickly reduce the severity of an asthma attack. Long-term control medications must be taken every day to prevent asthma attacks.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines: These medicines work by reducing swelling in the airways. These usually need to be taken daily to control asthma.
• Biologic therapies: These are medications given to people with severe asthma. They are given when regular inhalers are not enough.

There are several ways to take this medicine:

• Inhaler: This delivers medication directly to the lungs. There are several types of this – metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and dry powder inhaler (DPI).
• Nebulizer: This creates a vapor of medicine and allows you to inhale it.
• Oral medications: There are also medications that can be taken by mouth.
  
  

Asthma Control

Controlling asthma means:

• You can work normally, do housework, work at work, and lead a normal life.
• Symptoms are much less severe, or even absent.
• It becomes less difficult to breathe quickly (the need to use a rescue inhaler is very rare).
• Being able to sleep well at night, without waking up because of asthma.

Asthma Action Plan

Your doctor will tell you when to take your medicine and what to do if your symptoms get worse. This is called an asthma action plan. You need to follow it carefully. This plan usually includes the following:

• Your type of clothing.
• Your asthma triggers.
• The types of medications you use and how to take them.
• What to do when the symptoms are severe, when they are a little difficult, and when they are very difficult.
• Who to call in an emergency.

Monitoring Asthma Symptoms

You should pay attention to your asthma symptoms and how you feel at that time. Your doctor may recommend using a “peak flow meter.” This can measure how hard you can breathe out. This can help your doctor make sure you take your medications on time and see if your dosage needs to be adjusted. It can also help you know when your asthma is getting worse.

How to prevent asthma? (Prevention)

If you have asthma, the best thing you can do is to stay away from triggers. However, asthma cannot be completely prevented.

What is the future of someone with asthma? (Outlook/Prognosis)

Having asthma doesn't mean your whole life is ruined. If you take the right medication and do what the doctor says, you can live a normal, happy life. Some athletes have reached the top of the world with asthma.

Living With Asthma

Follow the Asthma Action Plan.

This is the most important thing.

Take your medicine properly.

Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don't forget.

Stay away from triggers.

Stay away from things that make you feel worse.

See the doctor regularly.

Live a healthy life.

Eat well, exercise, and sleep well.

What if asthma becomes severe? (Severe Asthma Attack)

If you develop severe asthma, you should seek medical attention immediately. This can be life-threatening.

• The first thing you should do is use your "rescue inhaler." This contains a quick-acting medication. If you don't feel any relief after about 20 minutes, take another one.
• If you don't have it, or if you don't have it, go to a hospital immediately if you have these symptoms:
  • If you feel very scared (Anxiety or panic).
  • If your fingernails and lips turn blue (bluish fingernails, bluish lips – in people with fair skin. In people with dark skin, the gums and lips may appear gray or white).
  • If you have chest pain or pressure.
  • If you have a persistent cough or make a loud "whistling" sound when breathing (severe wheezing).
  • Difficulty talking.
  • Pale, sweaty face.
  • If you are breathing very fast (very quick or rapid breathing).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Viral fever and asthma like COVID-19

People with asthma are more likely to have serious complications if they get a viral infection. This means they may need to be hospitalized and treated. Therefore, it is important to wear a mask when going out, get vaccinated, and stay away from people who are sick.

Finally:

Asthma is a common condition. However, if you know about it and take precautions, you can reduce the problems a lot. If you feel even the slightest bit strange, it is important to see a doctor immediately and get advice. Remember, you are not alone. Your doctor, family, and friends are all there to help you.