Asthma- Causes, Symptoms and Treatments What is asthma? It is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Your airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive and they may react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get less air. For those who have asthma, what kind of daily struggles do they encounter? Some people may miss school or work due to their asthma or in order to care for a child or loved one with asthma. For others, asthma impacts us in different ways, like not being able to participate in certain activities. Asthma impacts not only an individual, but society as well. Asthma can limit one’s ability to get enough exercise and do things that they want and need to do. For example, sleeping well or playing sport with friends are activities that can be challenging for those with asthma. Controlling your condition by using your preventer medication before you go to bed (when symptoms can be worse) and before extensive or intense exercise (where shortness of breath is quite likely), will better equip you will have the energy to join in sports, especially after getting a good night’s sleep. Experiencing fatigue due to lack of sleep and exercise is going to do little for your overall health, and certainly won’t improve your asthma, so make sure you are not holding yourself back by forgetting to take medication at the appropriate times. Asthma is also responsible for the following on a daily basis: ●
40,000 missed school or work days
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30,000 asthma attacks and 5,000 emergency room visits
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1,000 hospital admissions
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11 deaths
We all probably know someone whose life is impacted by asthma, actually. 1 in 12 people in the United States, or some 25 million people, suffer from asthma. With asthma so common, it is unlikely that anyone does not know at least one other person with asthma. Asthma prevalence among children is slightly higher among males compared to females. This condition can be easily found in your area such as San Antonio and unfortunately asthma is poorly controlled. Resulting in 1 in 2 people with asthma experience an asthma attack every 12 months. Asthma is responsible for nearly a fourth of all emergency room visits. In 2009, 20 percent of all children with asthma had to go to an emergency department for care. Which in this case, the population of children in San Antonio would be more than likely to be affected by asthma than most of their citizens can imagine. An asthma attack can be triggered by exposure to an allergen, such as tree, grass or weed pollen, dust mites, cockroaches or animal dander. Other common triggers are irritants in the air, such as smoke or chemical fumes, and strong odors, such as perfume.
Certain illnesses — particularly the flu, sinusitis or an upper respiratory infection — may also trigger an asthma attack, as can strenuous exercise, extreme weather conditions and strong emotions that change normal breathing patterns. Warning signs of a potential asthma attack can include an increase in your need for rescue medication (especially albuterol), a worsening cough, shortness of breath (particularly if it wakes you up at night) and diminished tolerance for exercise. These causes can take a toll on one’s life and leave them traumatized if their attacks were to be recurring. Symptoms of asthma include: ●
Wheezing
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Coughing, especially early in the morning or at night
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Chest tightness
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Shortness of breath
Not all people who have asthma have these symptoms. Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean that you have asthma. Your doctor will diagnose asthma based on lung function tests, your medical history, and a physical exam. You may also have allergy tests. Like any other chronic disease that exists, there are appropriate treatments one can take to reduce asthma symptoms and possibly control asthma attacks. Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms. When dealing with an acute attack. In general, it is important to stay calm and use the medications your allergist has prescribed. Quick-relief medications, often administered via an inhaler, are used to treat asthma attacks as needed. They include short-acting, rapid-onset beta2-agonist and/or anticholinergic bronchodilators (which relax airway muscles) and systemic corticosteroids (which reduce airway inflammation). If symptoms persist, see your allergist. Maintaining good health and taking care of yourself is a great way of ensuring that you are generally healthy, so as to lessen the effects of asthma. If you are keeping fit, eating well, sleeping well and looking after your general wellbeing, the less likely you’ll be faced with unnecessary risks of illness. Not only should the focus come from maintaining good health, but as well as monitoring what you eat. Particular food allergies can trigger the symptoms of asthma, so be aware of those foods which you may want to avoid. Yet, most asthmatic people can eat normally. It’s important to stay informed with whatever the severity of your asthma is, it is advised to keep up-todate with your doctor regarding your concerns of your condition. The more they know about your problem, the more efficiently it can be sorted out.
Panic can prevent a person with asthma from relaxing and following instructions, which is essential during an attack. Scientists have found that rapid breathing associated with strong emotions, like panic, can cause bronchial tubes to constrict. Seek immediate medical treatment if coughing or shortness of breath persists or seems to be worsening. Visiting an urgent care clinic can ensure you receive fast treatment for your asthma attack. Gonzaba Urgent Care in San Antonio, Texas is an excellent option for anyone who needs help treating or managing their asthma related health concerns.