Common Asthma Triggers and Their Management
October 28, 2020 | Farah Jassawalla

Common Asthma Triggers and Their Management

اردو میں پڑھیں 

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in the lungs that causes your airways to get inflamed and narrow. Breathing becomes difficult, and a whistling sound (wheezing) can be heard when you breathe out.

It's a condition that cannot be cured; however, its symptoms can be controlled. For some people, asthma is a minor inconvenience, while for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with their daily activities and can be life-threatening at times.

Symptoms of asthma

Some major signs of asthma are:

Shortness of breath—when you have asthma, the bands of muscles around your airways become tightened, making it harder for you to breathe properly

Chest tightness

Wheezing, a whistling sound when you breath out

Insomnia due to shortness of breath 

Coughing, especially at night or during exercise

Anxiousness

Fatigue

Types of Asthma

Following are different types of asthma:

Early childhood asthma—look for signs like:

Lack of energy

Coughing while playing

Saying their chest hurts

Whistling sound while breathing

Shortness of breath

Tight neck

Weakness

Adult-onset asthma—it can start at any age but is more common in people younger than 40.

Allergic asthma—the following allergens trigger this type of asthma:

Pet dander from cats and dogs

Food

Pollen

Mold

Dust

 

Non-allergenic asthma—Irritants in the air trigger this type of asthma:

Cigarette smoke

Air pollution

Viral illness

Air fresheners

Perfumes

Household disinfecting and cleaning products

 

Occupational asthma—it's the type of asthma induced by triggers in your workplace like:

Dust

Dyes

Fumes

Woodworking

Farming

Chemicals

Rubber latex

 

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction—it occurs within a few minutes of starting exercise, and it may last 10 to 15 minutes after you stop. It happens when you breathe in air that's drier than what you breathe out.

Nocturnal asthma—symptoms worsen at night in this type of asthma

Aspirin-induced asthma—it is usually severe and is triggered by taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. People with this type of asthma typically have nasal polyps.

 

Diagnosis

There is no single test to confirm the diagnosis; instead, the diagnosis depends on a variety of tests. The following can be used to deduce a diagnosis:

History—a family history of breathing problems increases your risk of developing asthma. Do tell your doctor about your genetic history.

Examination—your doctor will listen to your breathing with a stethoscope and look for any abnormality in your breathing. Allergens which trigger your asthma will also be looked at

Breathing tests—pulmonary function tests (PFTS) and spirometry can be performed to measure the airflow and the speed of air into and out of your lungs

 

These breathing tests are usually not performed in children under 5 years of age because it's difficult to teach them what to do and get an accurate reading. Instead, asthma medications may be prescribed to them to see if their symptoms improve or not. 

 

Home remedies

The key to getting your asthma under control are the medicines prescribed, but you can follow some things at home to help yourself, such as:

Avoid the allergens that trigger your condition

Exercise regularly 

Keep a healthy weight, as an asthmatic attack is worse in people who are obese

Eat a healthy diet

Do breathing exercises regularly

Quit smoking. 

Manage your stress. Stress can trigger asthma symptoms, and it can make stopping an asthma attack more difficult.

 

If you haven't been diagnosed with asthma as yet but are experiencing the symptoms stated above, you should let your doctor know. Once you're diagnosed with it, you will be able to take care of yourself better.

 

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Farah Jassawalla

Farah Jassawalla is a graduate of the Lahore School of Economics. She is also a writer, and healthcare enthusiast, having closely observed case studies while working with Lahore's thriving general physicians at their clinics.