Understanding asthma triggers and symptoms is vital for effective management, including genetic and environmental factors. Lifestyle choices and medical attention play crucial roles in controlling asthma and maintaining a good quality of life.
Asthma is a chronic obstructive airway disease that affects individuals of all ages and genders, leading to breathing difficulties and significantly impacting the quality of life for those affected. When asthma is triggered, it can make daily activities challenging and often requires good management to keep symptoms under control.
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Understanding the causes, triggers and overall impact of asthma is essential for correct management and improving the daily lives of those with asthma. Asthma causes the inside walls of the airways, or the bronchial tubes, to become swollen and inflamed. During an asthma attack, the airways swell, the muscles around them tighten, and it becomes difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs.
The exact cause of asthma seems to be unknown and may vary from person to person, however, medicine believes several factors can lead to its development. Asthma usually starts in childhood when the body’s defence system is still developing, but some people develop adult-onset asthma.
Factors affecting lung development and immune response can lead to asthma, such as environmental allergens like cigarette smoke and other germs, viral infections, and family history. Additional risk factors include allergies, obesity, race or ethnicity, gender, occupational hazards such as chemicals or dust, and climate change. Because the exact cause of asthma is unknown, it may be difficult to prevent asthma in the family.
You can help prevent asthma from developing by keeping your home free from dampness and mould, avoiding indoor air pollution as much as possible, and having a healthier lifestyle.
There are several types of asthma, these include allergic asthma, triggered by allergens like pollen and dust mites; non-allergic asthma, triggered by factors like pollution and stress; seasonal asthma, with symptoms appearing during certain times of the year; occupational asthma, caused by workplace exposures; and exercise-induced asthma, triggered by physical activity.
Difficult asthma requires high-dose treatment, while severe asthma is hard to control even with such treatment. Childhood asthma affects many children but may improve over time. Adult-onset asthma occurs later in life and can be triggered by work-related substances, smoking, obesity, and hormones.
To diagnose asthma, doctors evaluate symptoms, review your health history, conduct a physical examination, and analyse test results. During your initial visit, your healthcare provider determines the severity of your condition and devises a tailored treatment plan. Follow-up appointments focus on assessing your asthma control and making adjustments to your treatment regimen as necessary.
While there is no cure for asthma, it can be effectively managed through medication and lifestyle changes. This allows people with asthma to lead active and fulfilling lives. Treatment options for asthma include quick relief medication like inhalers and other long-term control medications.
Asthma complications can severely disrupt daily life. Nighttime symptoms can cause chronic sleep deprivation, impairing daily function and posing risks during activities like driving. Asthma may limit physical activity, increasing risks for conditions like diabetes and depression. Untreated asthma can lead to medication side effects, airway remodelling, and severe attacks requiring hospitalisation for oxygen and steroid treatments.
In rare cases, severe asthma can progress to respiratory failure, highlighting the need for proper management and emergency care to prevent life-threatening outcomes.
Asthma can be a serious condition, but with proper care, it’s possible to live a healthy, active life. Treatment can help you control and manage your symptoms. Although you can’t prevent asthma, you can prevent asthma attacks. Since exercise can strengthen your lungs, ask your doctor about safe options, and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. Don’t hesitate to seek emergency medical treatment if your symptoms don’t improve after using your inhaler.
In general, working with your doctor can help you find the appropriate treatment to control your asthma symptoms and reduce your risk for any complications. And once you find a treatment that works for you, it’s important to stick with it.
Dr Vincent Mutabazi is an applied epidemiologist.
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