The long-term inflammatory disease known as asthma swells the airways. Any age might be affected, and the symptoms can be minor or severe.
Asthma comes in various forms, and each has a unique set of triggers. Seasonal, occupational, nonallergic, allergic, and exercise-induced asthma are a few prevalent varieties.
The quantity of air that may enter and exit the lungs is decreased by asthma because it enlarges and inflames the airways. In the US, 7.7% of adults and 9.4% of children suffer from asthma.
Asthma is frequently a chronic illness that is managed with medicine and avoiding causes for asthma attacks.
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While there are parallels between asthma that develops in childhood and adulthood, the degree of symptoms might vary.
Environmental causes for asthma can potentially exacerbate symptoms and precipitate attacks.
Learn more about the many forms of asthma, their symptoms, and available treatments by continuing to read.
Allergic Asthma
The most prevalent kind of asthma in the US is allergic, accounting for 40–50% of adult cases and 80% of cases in children.
It’s possible for someone with allergic asthma to also have another allergy. For example, studies indicate that about 25% of individuals with atopic dermatitis, or eczema, also have asthma.
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Allergy to certain environmental substances can cause allergic asthma. Among the common allergies are:
- pollen
- pet dander
- mold spores
- foods such as milk, eggs, and certain nuts
- dust mites, cockroaches, and cockroach feces
- irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke and automobile and chemical fumes
- heavily fragranced products, such as perfumes
Treatment
Those who suffer from allergic asthma should consult a specialist for therapy, as this can help them better control their disease. Additionally, they must take all prescription drugs exactly as directed by a doctor.
People with allergic asthma may find it helpful to avoid common allergens by using the following advice:
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- To get rid of dust mites, cockroach allergies, and pet dander, vacuum and dust frequently.
- Pets should not be allowed in bedrooms.
- When pollen or air pollution levels are high, stay indoors.
- Steer clear of foods like milk, eggs, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts that might cause allergic responses.
- Minimize the amount of strong chemicals or highly scented household goods you utilize.
Nonallergic Asthma
An allergen is not necessary for an attack of intrinsic or nonallergic asthma to occur.
Approximately half of adult instances of asthma are nonallergic, although it is less common in children than allergic asthma. Nonallergic asthma is more common in people who develop asthma after the age of 40.
According to experts, environmental and genetic variables play a role in the development of nonallergic asthma.
For instance, a person may experience symptoms after being exposed to:
- cold
- humidity
- stress
- exercise
- pollution
- irritants in the air, such as smoke
- respiratory infections, such as a cold, flu, or sinus infection
Treatment
Individuals who have symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath should consult an asthma expert. They will assist them in figuring out the cause of their ailments. In the case of nonallergic asthma, where there is no obvious trigger, this could take longer.
They should also take any recommended medicine as directed by a physician to control their symptoms.
Seasonal Asthma
Seasonal asthma symptoms intensify throughout specific seasons of the year or under specific circumstances.
An individual suffering from seasonal asthma could observe that their symptoms worsen or appear exclusively during:
- The season of hay fever, when pollen counts peak
- Abrupt temperature swings, thunderstorms, and cold or hot weather
- Days with higher levels of air pollution, such calm, chilly days
- Winter, when the prevalence of cold and flu viruses is higher
Seasonal asthma and allergic asthma are comparable in many aspects. Indeed, people may refer to episodes of asthma during the pollen season by either of these words.
Treatment
Individuals who suffer from seasonal asthma ought to consult a doctor. This will assist them in managing their illness when there is a chance that their symptoms will worsen.
As instructed by a physician or other healthcare professional, they should also take any recommended medications.
The following advice may also aid in easing seasonal asthma symptoms:
- Plan your outside activities at times when the likelihood of an asthma attack is lower. Pay attention to local weather forecasts on pollen and air quality.
- Close windows and doors when leaving the house or when driving.
- In order to warm the air as it enters your lungs during chilly weather, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf.
- Have medicine on hand to provide immediate symptom relief.
- Record in your journal the weather conditions that tend to trigger your symptoms.
Occupational Asthma
When working, people with occupational asthma may find that their symptoms worsen, or that they get better when they take time off.
In reality, occupational exposure to paint chemicals, aerosols, insecticides, and other hazardous materials may be the cause of up to 15% of asthma cases in the United States.
The degree of exposure to these and other chemicals may affect how long it takes for the symptoms to appear. After being exposed, some persons may experience an asthma attack 24 hours later. For others, the onset of symptoms could take months or even years.
Treatment
Individuals who have occupational asthma ought to contact a physician or other healthcare professional for therapy. This could assist them in determining the source of their symptoms, limiting additional exposure, and reducing discomfort.
In addition, they must take all prescription drugs exactly as directed by a physician or other expert.
Exercise-induced Asthma
When asthma flares up during or right after exercise or another intense activity, it’s known as exercise-induced asthma. This could occur five to twenty minutes following the workout. Furthermore, following exercise, symptoms are experienced by up to 90% of those with asthma.
While breathlessness is a common side effect of exercise-induced asthma, other symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and mild to severe chest pain.
The following elements may also exacerbate asthma symptoms brought on by exercise:
- chlorinated pools
- exposure to polluted air while running or cycling outside
- cold, dry air while ice skating or playing hockey
- warm, humid air while doing hot yoga
Treatment
Medications for asthma can frequently effectively treat the symptoms. If, however, a person’s symptoms are not improving with frequent treatment, it is imperative that they contact a physician.
The following advice may also lessen the chance of having an asthma attack during or following physical activity:
- Use an inhaler prior to working out, and keep it handy during the workout.
- When you have a virus, stay away from the gym.
- To help open up the airways, warm up before exercising.
- After working out, cool down to aid in progressively slowing breathing.
- When working out outside, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf.
- Steer clear of exercises that make breathing difficult or heavy.
Difficult-to-control Asthma
Some people do find it considerably more difficult to control their symptoms, even though there is no recognized subtype or diagnostic for difficult-to-control asthma.
These symptoms could be frequent, or the person can be experiencing potentially fatal asthma episodes.
There are several reasons why asthma can be challenging to manage, such as:
- possessing an additional underlying medical problem, like diabetes or heart disease
- either regularly inhaling smoke or smoking
- not taking prescription drugs on schedule or at the recommended amount
Treatment
It is crucial that individuals with asthma that is hard to manage consult an asthma expert on their treatment regimen, any underlying medical disorders, and any potential environmental triggers.
A professional can assist the patient in taking their medication at the appropriate time and method. According to a 2017 study, this may be a useful strategy for managing asthma that is difficult to treat.
Severe Asthma
About 4% of persons with asthma have severe asthma, often known as brittle asthma.
When normal treatments fail to alleviate asthma symptoms, experts classify the condition as severe. Individuals who have severe asthma may:
- more asthma episodes than those who only had mild to moderate asthma
- due to their asthma, stay in the hospital for longer
- long-term need for steroid pills
Severe asthma symptoms are similar to mild-to-moderate asthma symptoms, but they are more severe. They occasionally pose a threat to life.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the patient’s reaction to specific drugs, there are many treatment options for severe asthma.
Treatment for severe asthma sufferers has improved recently. Biologics and other drugs with extended half-lives that alter the immune system are now available.
The best specialized treatments for each individual can be determined with the assistance of a specialist.
Summary
Chronic inflammation of the lungs’ airways is referred to as asthma. The symptoms can be moderate to severe, and they can appear or go at any age.
There are various asthma kinds. Professionals can categorize them based on their triggers, which include exercise and allergies.
Regardless of the kind, successful management of asthma is typically possible with therapy.
Living a full and active life can be facilitated by seeing an asthma specialist and taking medicine as prescribed.
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