Most of us are familiar with asthma. It means difficulty breathing , chest tightness, and wheezing. But did you know that asthma is not just one disease, but comes in many different forms? As our medical understanding of asthma has improved, we have identified specific types, such as exercise-induced asthma and severe asthma that interferes with sleep at night. So, understanding exactly what type of asthma you have can help you get the most effective treatment for it.
The relationship between allergies and asthma
Allergies and asthma are like two sides of the same coin. There is a very close relationship between the two. Allergies are often the main cause of asthma symptoms.
Simply put, when something we are allergic to, that is, something we do not like (allergen), enters our body, our immune system reacts against it. At this time, chemicals such as histamines are secreted. These are what cause allergy symptoms. Allergic Rhinitis (also known as Hay Fever), in which the lining of the nose swells, is the most common condition of this kind.
For someone with this ` allergic rhinitis` condition,
- A runny nose continues to run.
- Sneezing all the time.
- My nose feels stuffy.
- Tears are coming from my eyes.
- I feel like my throat is clearing.
This constant postnasal drip can also cause a cough. These allergies often cause asthma symptoms to worsen. If your doctor prescribes medication to control these allergies, your cough and other asthma symptoms may also decrease.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
This is a very specific type of asthma. This condition occurs only during exercise or physical exertion. Many people with asthma may experience some symptoms when exercising. However, some people without asthma, even Olympic athletes, may experience these symptoms only during exercise.
In this condition, the narrowing of the airways reaches its peak between 5 and 20 minutes after starting exercise. This makes it very difficult to breathe. Symptoms may appear within a few minutes of starting exercise and may worsen after stopping exercise. Asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing may be more common during this time.
If you are experiencing these types of discomforts while exercising, it is very important to talk to a doctor and ask if you need an inhaler ( bronchodilator ) that you can use before exercising.
Cough-Variant Asthma
In this type of asthma, the main and sometimes only symptom is a severe, persistent cough. But remember, there are other causes of coughing. For example, a cough can be caused by conditions such as postnasal drip, sinus infections (sinusitis), or stomach acid reflux (GERD or heartburn).
Cough-Variant Asthma is a condition that is often misdiagnosed and untreated. It is mainly triggered by respiratory infections and exercise.
If you have a persistent cough, don't ignore it and see a doctor. He or she may order lung function tests to see how well your lungs are working.
Occupational Asthma
As the name suggests, this type of asthma is caused by certain things (triggers) in your workplace. These are things we normally breathe in. If you have this type of asthma, you may only have trouble breathing on work days .
Some people experience symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, or coughing instead of wheezing like normal asthma. This condition can occur in any job.
| Factors affecting work-related asthma | Description |
|---|---|
| Jobs with high risk | Animal keepers, farmers, hairdressers, nurses, painters, carpenters. |
| Common Causes (Triggers) | Things like smoke, chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, pollen, and mold in the air. |
| The two types of occurrence | 1. Exacerbation of existing asthma: Asthma worsens due to continued exposure to something at work. 2. Irritant Asthma: Symptoms occur when the airways swell and become inflamed after exposure to a substance. |
In occupational asthma, it is very important to identify and avoid the triggers. Because we spend most of our time at work, we may be exposed to these triggers for a long time. If this happens, there is a high chance of permanent swelling of the lungs and airways becoming hypersensitive.
Nocturnal asthma
Nocturnal asthma is also very common. If you have asthma, you are more likely to experience symptoms at night while you sleep. This is because our body's circadian rhythms strongly influence asthma. Wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath that occur at night can be very dangerous .
Research has shown that most asthma-related deaths occur at night. This may be due to:
- Exposure to allergens such as dust and mold in the bedroom.
- Cooling of the respiratory tract.
- Lying down and sleeping.
- Changes in hormonal activity in the body.
- Sometimes, heartburn can also cause asthma to worsen at night.
If you have asthma and find that your symptoms worsen at night, don't ignore it. Be sure to see your doctor to find out the cause. Taking the right medication at the right time can help you control this condition and get a good night's sleep.
Other conditions that look like asthma
Sometimes, there are other conditions that show similar symptoms to asthma. Therefore, it is essential to see a doctor to determine whether you really have asthma or another condition.
- Cardiac Asthma: This is actually a form of heart failure, but its symptoms are very similar to asthma.
- Vocal Cord Dysfunction: In this, our vocal cords function abnormally, resulting in a hoarse sound. This is often misdiagnosed as asthma. This condition is especially common among young women. This condition does not respond to asthma inhalers.
Therefore, if you have symptoms that you think may be asthma, it is very important to see a qualified doctor for an accurate diagnosis, rather than self-diagnosing.
Take-Home Message
- Asthma is not a single disease; it has different types based on different triggers, such as allergies, exercise, work, and nighttime.
- Identifying your asthma type is essential to getting the most appropriate and effective treatment for you.
- If you have a persistent cough, difficulty breathing during exercise, or asthma symptoms that worsen at night, do not ignore it and see your doctor immediately.
- It is helpful to your doctor to clearly describe your symptoms, the times they occur (e.g., at night, during exercise), and the locations (e.g., at work).
- There are other conditions that can mimic asthma, so always seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis.
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