Asthma is a condition that makes the breathing process painful for you. It triggers coughing and shortness of breathing occurs. Usually, one suffering from asthma makes whistling sounds while breathing. In fact, asthma narrows the airways and swells them, sometimes airways start producing extra mucus. In this article, I am going to discuss the symptoms of asthma; and its causes and prevention.
Some people take it as a routine problem or we can say a minor problem, but for some people, it may be a serious problem that badly affects the daily routine matters of a person. Sometimes severe asthma attacks can result in death.
A hundred percent cure of asthma isn’t possible; however, one can control its symptoms. With time, asthma symptoms may change therefore continuous tracking and monitoring of asthma symptoms is necessary. In this concern, those who are suffering from asthma need to be in contact with their doctor regularly to adjust the treatment accordingly.
Symptoms of Asthma
Asthma symptoms are different from person to person. Some people have frequent asthma attacks while others may have at specific times like when exercising. Some may have symptoms of asthma all the time.
Common Symptoms of Asthma
Some common symptoms of asthma are as follows:
Chest Pain or Tightness
Patients with asthma may feel chest pain or tightness in the chest.
Shortness of breath
Asthma patients may suffer from shortness of breath.
Whistling Sound
In asthma patients, a whistling sound produces while exhaling. Usually, this symptom can be seen in children.
Troubled Sleeping
Disturbed or troubled sleeping due to shortness of breath, coughing, or, wheezing are common symptoms in asthma patients.
Increased Coughing Attacks
Usually, the number of coughing attacks increases in asthma patients.
Catching up Cold or the flu
Catching up cold or the flu is a common symptom in asthma patients.
Symptoms showing that asthma is worsening
Symptoms showing that asthma is worsening are as follows:
- Some people have asthma attacks during specific situations. People who face asthma attacks while exercising may face worse conditions in cold and dry air.
Sometimes the workplace of people results in worsening asthma. The people who work at a place where gases, chemical fumes, or dust are found may suffer severe asthma attacks.
Sometimes asthma is triggered by pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste, or particles of skin and dried saliva shed by pets.
Severe asthma attacks can cause death. So, when someone has symptoms of severe asthma. One needs to visit the doctor for emergency treatment.
Symptoms of Severe Asthma
Symptoms of severe asthma are as follows:
- Continuous wheezing sounds or increased difficulty in breathing, very fast worsening of shortness of breath.
A quick-relief inhaler is not helping the purpose.
A minimal physical activity results in shortness of breath.
When these symptoms happen, visiting a doctor becomes necessary. If someone feels he has asthma symptoms, or his coughing or wheezing condition remains continuously for some days, he must consult his doctor. The timely treatment of such symptoms can help in the prevention of life-threatening asthma attacks.
So, if you feel that your asthma symptoms are getting worse, and your inhaler or medication is not helping the cause, you need to contact your doctor immediately.
Use the medicines as prescribed by the doctor, over usage or overdosing on asthma medicines can lead to painful side effects and may result in the worst condition of asthma.
Therefore, it is necessary for every asthma patient to consult his doctor on regular basis to monitor the changing behavior of asthma so that his medication can be suggested accordingly.
Causes of Asthma
Some common causes of asthma are as follows.
- Some environmental, as well as genetic factors, may be the cause of asthma.
- Also, some allergies like pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, or particles of cockroach waste may cause asthma.
Respiratory infections may be the cause of asthma.
Physical activity like exercising may result in Asthma.- Also, the cold air may trigger asthma.
Air pollutants and irritants like smoke may also cause asthma.
Also, some medications may result in asthma.
Sometimes strong emotions and stress may result in asthma.
Some types of foods and beverages like dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer, and wine may lead to asthma.
Some medical conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease may result in asthma.
Asthma may develop because of blood relations.
Obesity or being overweight may cause asthma.
Smoking can lead to asthma.
Exposure to secondhand smoke, exhaust fumes, or other types of pollution and chemicals may result in asthma.
How to Prevent Asthma?
In fact, asthma cannot be cured, however, with the help of the doctor, a step-by-step plan can be designed that can help in living and preventing asthma attacks.
Write a detailed plan of medications
You need to write a detailed plan of medications and manage asthma attacks with the help of your doctor and then strictly follow that action plan.
regular monitoring & treatment
As asthma is an ongoing condition therefore it requires regular monitoring and treatment. The more control you have over your treatment of asthma, the more comfortable you are in your life.
Timely vaccination for influenza and pneumonia can reduce the risk of asthma.
monitor your breathing
Try to find the reasons that can trigger asthma, and take steps to avoid such situations.
You regularly need to monitor your breathing. Slight coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath should be taken as alarming.
a regular visit to a doctor
A change of asthma medication is not recommended without the doctor’s consultation. Whenever, you visit the doctor, keep your prescription with you. It will help your doctor in judging your health improvement and further recommending the medicines.
quick-relief medicines
Usually, asthma medicines are of two types. The first type is quick relief and the second type is long-term control. Quick-relief medicines are helpful in controlling the symptoms of an asthma attack. You need to visit your doctor if you need to use your quick-relief medicines more and more.
long term control medicines
On the other hand, long-term control medicines are helpful when you have fewer and milder attacks. But remember these long-term control medicines do not prove helpful while you are having an asthma attack.
side effects of asthma medicines
Also, asthma medicines can have some side effects, but most of the time these side effects are mild in nature and soon go away. However, you may consult your doctor about the side effects of your asthma medicines.
You have to remember one thing you can control your asthma with the help of your doctor. With your doctor’s help, you can make your own asthma action plan.
It is you who have to decide who should have a copy of your plan and where he or she should keep it. Make sure that you continue your long-term control medicine even when you don’t have asthma symptoms. To treat asthma, we need to know its symptoms, causes, and prevention. I have given all the details about asthma. Hopefully, this article will be beneficial for you to treat this ailment.
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