Asthmatics: Dos And Don'ts To Help You Better Control Your Asthma
Asthma changes over time, and hence it's important to monitor your signs and symptoms and alter your therapy as needed, with the help of your doctor.
Asthma is a lung disorder that affects your airways and causes difficulty in breathing. It is triggered by inflammation of the air passages. The inflammation causes the air passages to become narrow. The narrowness is indicated by the noisy and whistling breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing.
There can be several triggers or factors that can aggravate the symptoms of asthma. Common factors include dust, mites, pollen, smoke, pollution, weather change, cold & cough and respiratory infections. Asthma can be broadly classified into two categories – specific and non-specific. Specific asthma hits you when you breathe in allergens or irritants, while non-specific asthma is caused by exercise, weather conditions or genetic predisposition. The exact cause of asthma is not known, but it is seen in families with a history of the condition. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed well with several treatment options to relieve the symptoms and prevent severe attacks.
The following are the types, causes, symptoms of and treatment for asthma:
There are two types of asthma, based on the nature of the trigger behind it: Extrinsic asthma and intrinsic asthma.
Most people with asthma experience symptoms intermittently. The time gap between asthma flare-ups could be weeks or months. The symptoms generally worsen in the night or early in the morning. Other factors that can worsen asthma manifestations are breathing in cold air, strenuous physical exercise and heartburn. The tell-tale signs of this condition include:
Causes
During an episode of asthma attack, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight, and the lining of the air passages become swollen. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by. Though doctors haven’t been able to identify a specific cause behind asthma, specific triggers have been spotted. Asthma triggers can be broadly categorized into Specific and Non-Specific Triggers:
The best way to prevent the relapse of an asthma attack episode is to avoid the triggers. However, the triggers vary from person to person. Common triggers include air pollution, allergies, cold air, a cold or flu virus, smoke, fragrances, etc. The following steps can help in avoiding the triggers:
The aim of asthma treatment is symptom control and easing of airway inflammation. Treatment of this condition rests on three pillars: Long-term asthma control medicines, quick-acting drugs and breathing workouts. Your treatment regimen has to be decided by your doctor. Do not indulge in self-medication as the consequences can be dangerous.
A dietary regimen that includes the following is recommended by nutritionists:
Probiotics, ginger, Omega 3 fatty acids, low salt and magnesium-rich diet, rosemary leaves, and olive oil. Avoid Omega 6 foods, raw foods, dairy products and food additives.
Prognosis
Asthma is a chronic disease. The severity of attack varies from mild aggravations – which do not interfere with the patient’s active life – to grave exacerbations that may endanger the patient’s life.
The odds against complete remission of its symptoms are heavy. However, remission is possible in the case of relatively mild cases. In the case of smokers, there is a greater chance of permanent lung impairment.
Complications
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Asthma changes over time, and hence it's important to monitor your signs and symptoms and alter your therapy as needed, with the help of your doctor.
Here are some preventive steps asthma patients need to take to reduce the risk of experiencing asthma attacks in summer.
About 70% of patients with severe asthma remain undiagnosed in India. Myths about asthma lead to underdiagnosis of the disease.
Most asthma patients in India are not prescribed the correct medicine. Stigma prevents many asthmatics from using inhalers, reveals Dr. V Nagarjuna Maturu on World Asthma Day 2023.
Asthma, Emphysema And Bronchitis are chronic inflammatory lung diseases that cause swelling in the airways.
Living with asthma is not that tough if managed wisely. Hence, never lose hope; follow doctors' instructions and regularly take medications.
Allergies and asthma are part of a continual spectrum of the body's immune system reacting to harmless allergens.
Only a pathogen like bacteria and viruses can cause an infection
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