Content Summary
- How serious is asthma? We discuss it in detail.
- The main triggers of asthma are your environment and genetics.
- To live an active and normal life, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional and investigate available treatment options.
- If you have severe asthma, an injection can help relieve and manage your symptoms.
- To ensure that your asthma does not interfere with your daily life, you should consult a medical practitioner.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term chronic lung disease that affects the airways that transport oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the lungs. It is one of the most common diseases in the United States, with approximately 25 million people suffering from it. Severe asthma makes it difficult to communicate and can have a negative impact on your daily life.
To ensure that asthma is well-managed, we will describe what asthma is and how to treat it.
Types and Causes of Asthma
There are many types of asthma; the type you have depends on your specific triggers. A trigger is an event that exacerbates or initiates asthma symptoms.
Different triggers cause different types of asthma. There is currently no known cause of asthma. The main triggers of asthma are your environment and genetics.
Types of asthma and their corresponding triggers include:
Allergic Asthma
These are caused by allergens, which are airborne substances that cause allergic reactions in the body. Among these substances are mold, dust mites, and pollens from weeds, grass, and trees.
Non-allergic Asthma
This is a type of asthma triggered by extreme weather conditions. This can occur during winter or summer and can also happen when you have a cold or are stressed. These triggers include inhaling household chemicals or cold air, air pollution, and tobacco smoke.
Occupational Asthma
This is triggered at work when you are exposed to industrial chemicals or dust.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
This condition is exacerbated by dry air and is triggered by physical activity.
How Serious Is Asthma?
Asthma can be mild or severe for different people. A flare-up makes breathing extremely difficult and causes wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Without knowing what causes breathing problems, could someone not know they already have this condition? Yes, some of these symptoms are common to other health issues, so you may confuse them.
The symptoms of asthma experienced will vary depending on the type of asthma suffered; some people experience symptoms all day long, while others only experience them when engaging in a specific activity.
If you have these symptoms regularly, you should see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Christian Healthcare Centers focuses solely on patients and their physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Contact us to set up an appointment.
If you manage your asthma well, you’ll rarely have flare-ups and can live a normal life without being bothered by them.
The following are some symptoms of asthma:
- Coughing, especially when exercising or laughing
- Difficulty conversing
- Fear or anxiety
- Inflammation
- Wheezing when breathing
- Chest pain and tightness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Sleeping problems
- Frequent infection
- Rapid breathing
Treatment of Asthma
There is currently no cure for asthma, but the symptoms can be managed with some treatment options. To live an active and normal life, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional and investigate available treatment options.
The treatment options include:
Inhalers
These are devices that allow you to breathe in quick-relief medication. It is the most commonly used treatment method, and it aids in the prevention and relief of asthma symptoms.
Inhalers are classified into several types, with reliever inhalers being the most commonly used. A preventer inhaler restricts symptoms from developing, while a combination inhaler performs both functions.
Medication
This is an alternative treatment option for asthma if inhalers do not alleviate symptoms.
These include the use of tablets such as leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), theophylline, and steroids to help relieve and manage recurring symptoms.
Injections
If you have severe asthma, an injection can help relieve and manage your symptoms.
Reslizumab (Cinqaero), Omalizumab (Xolair), Benralizumab (Fasenra), and Mepolizumab (Nucala) are the major injections used here.
These medications are biological therapies that should not be used on people who have asthma. A doctor must prescribe them before they can be used for injection.
Surgery
Bronchial thermoplastic, a surgical procedure, is also an option for people with severe asthma. It is extremely safe and effective.
After you’ve been sedated, a medical professional inserts a flexible and thin tube into your lungs to allow heat to apply to your airway muscles, preventing them from narrowing and thus stopping the symptoms.
Asthma symptoms can range from mild to severe. Daily asthma symptoms can be severe and life-threatening.
To ensure that your asthma does not interfere with your daily life, you should consult a medical practitioner. Severe asthma may require a combination of medications, including inhaled corticosteroids.
Contact Christian Healthcare Centers to schedule a consultation or in case you have any queries.
