🌬️ Asthma
Asthma is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs. It causes the airways to become narrow, swollen, and filled with mucus, making it difficult to breathe. Asthma can vary from mild to severe and often occurs in episodes or “attacks.”
📋 Key Symptoms of Asthma
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing (whistling sound when breathing)
- Chest tightness or pain
- Coughing, especially at night or early morning
- Symptoms may worsen with exercise, cold air, allergens, or respiratory infections
🧪 Causes and Triggers
Asthma can be triggered by various environmental and internal factors, including:
Common Triggers
- Allergens (pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander)
- Air pollution or smoke
- Respiratory infections (cold or flu)
- Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
- Cold air or weather changes
- Strong emotions or stress
- Certain medications (e.g., aspirin, beta-blockers)
Risk Factors
- Family history of asthma or allergies
- History of respiratory infections in childhood
- Exposure to tobacco smoke (especially early in life)
- Occupational exposure to fumes or chemicals
🩺 Diagnosis
- Spirometry (lung function test to measure how much and how fast you can breathe out)
- Peak flow meter (monitors airflow out of the lungs)
- Allergy testing
- Methacholine challenge test (to assess airway sensitivity)
💊 Treatment and Management
Asthma has no cure, but it can be effectively controlled.
1. Long-Term Control Medications (prevent symptoms)
- Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone, budesonide)
- Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs)
- Leukotriene modifiers (e.g., montelukast)
- Biologics (for severe allergic asthma)
2. Quick-Relief Medications (for sudden symptoms)
- Short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) like albuterol
3. Lifestyle and Self-Care
- Avoid known triggers
- Follow an asthma action plan
- Regular exercise (with precautions)
- Monitor symptoms and peak flow
- Get flu and pneumonia vaccinations
🔄 Prognosis
- Most people with asthma live normal, active lives with proper treatment.
- Severe or poorly controlled asthma can lead to frequent hospitalizations or even be life-threatening in rare cases.