BREATH BETTER, KNOW BETTER ABOUT ASTHMA

     

   Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that has a waxing and waning pattern. It is a reversible airway hypersensitivity that is usually triggered by a set of conditions which will be discussed down the line in our blog. 

1. Common triggers of asthma
   

Asthma triggers range from very obvious to least obvious factors. It is helpful to ponder over the personal and environmental conditions that can lead to an attack of asthma. As none other than one with asthma can identify the exact conditions that triggered an attack, thus the responsibility to identify the trigger is hence attributed to the person having the disease. A doctor or professional can help and work with you to reach a specific trigger that must be avoided to avoid another attack. 

List of common triggers:

Tobacco smoke

1. Tobacco smoke

2. Mite dust 

3. Sand dust

4. Sudden temperature changes

5. Upper respiratory tract infection

6. Drugs like aspirin and beta blockers

7. Smoking

8. Exercise

9. Heartburn due to Gastroesophageal reflux

10. Dander

11. Chemical ( fumes )

12. Sinusitis

13. Obesity

    
    

    
    

2. Prevention of asthma attack 

You need to work on the plan for the prevention of asthma attacks by identifying the trigger first. Once you have identified the trigger, prevention is the best method to keep you safe from an asthmatic attack.

In some cases, it is seen that all kinds of prevention do not prove to be beneficial. It is due to the increased sensitivity of your airway lining that can lead to asthmatic attack with exposure to minimal quantities of allergen. 

Further factors such as obesity, exercise, and temperature changes can also be a risk that is a hindrance to the remission of chronic seen in asthma. This mandates the use of pharmacological agents ( drugs) to control the symptoms of asthma to avoid the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. 

3. Best treatment for asthma 

Prevention from exposure to allergen is the best thing for a patient but in uncontrollable conditions, we have some useful drugs that can prevent an attack of asthma and cure the symptoms. The type and dose of a drug shall be determined by a healthcare professional. 

4. Symptoms of an asthma attack

Symptoms are complaints that bring a patient to a healthcare professional and in asthma that can be:

1. Breathlessness
2. Chronic cough usually at night
3. Mucus in sputuM
4. Chest tightness
5. Decreased exercise tolerance
6. Fatigue
7. Recurrent episodes of wheezing

   
   

5. Long-term effects of asthma

• Airway and lung damage
• Disturbed sleep
• Mood disorders
• Risk of Airway and lung infections
• Decreasing exercise tolerance —- leading to weight gain and obesity.

6. Can asthma be cured?

Asthma is controllable and reversible but not completely curable. But don't be afraid it is not something contagious or non-remediable. You can work with your professional to improve the quality of your life by keeping you free of asthma symptoms and proper education and guidance to cope with an attack if it occurs unluckily. 

7. Can I exercise with asthma?

Some people do believe that exercise should be avoided in asthma as it is one of the triggers for reactive airway constriction. But, here is the good news, taking medication specifically before exercise can help you defer the symptoms of asthma during exercise and one can exercise as well as someone normally. Many players and athletes have managed to play and manage asthma at the same time but that is possible only with strict prevention and compliance to treatment. 

Conclusion:

Although not completely curable, asthma can be controlled by combination of prevention and appropriate steps taken at right time before the disease progress and cause irreversible damage to airway due to chronic inflammation. Self-education along with liaison with your healthcare provider has a pivotal role in the optimal management of asthma.

Having an asthma is not a REASON to AVOID SPORTS. 😊