Running away? You want to run for a mile but cannot even run for a short distance! Breathing problem? It’s quite regularly seen in you while walking or running – something is there, you may need to take a glimpse of it. Asthma – a condition where you have to face a serious breathing problem, wheezing or chest discomfort. A scene you may feel – you can’t catch your breath after climbing a flight of stairs. But did you know that asthma isn’t just about getting winded during a workout? Oh no, it’s a bit more complex than that. It significantly affects our daily life and in such cases, it creates serious respiratory problems with breathing.
Let’s take a comprehensive guide about Asthma – a common respiratory illness, and share some pieces of information about what it is, what it feels like, and how you can breathe easily.
Know About Asthma:
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes your airways to swell, tighten, and fill with mucus, making breathing difficult. Think of it as a constant game of “dodge the trigger.”
The significant rise in asthma cases, particularly among children is caused due to escalating environmental pollution. Asthma, regardless of age, remains a critical health concern, making regular testing for asthma an absolute necessity.
Types of Asthma:
Asthma isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. Here are the most common types:
Allergic Asthma
Triggered by allergens like pollen, pet dander, or dust mites. It often comes with hay fever or other allergies.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Strenuous physical activity, especially in cold air, can trigger symptoms. Warm-ups and inhalers can help.
Occupational Asthma
Common among workers exposed to irritants like fumes, chemicals, or dust. Think factory workers or hairdressers.
Non-Allergic Asthma
Stress, strong smells, or infections can trigger this type, unrelated to allergies.
Childhood Asthma
This type affects millions of kids worldwide, often tied to respiratory infections or allergies.
Symptoms of Asthma:
A simple question may arise in our mind – we all are breathing but why are some of them facing Asthma? It is quite complicated – the triggers may vary depending on person to person. Though Asthma currently has no cure, its symptoms can be effectively managed by proper medication or some therapies. Your medical professionals may ask you for the proper treatment plan and guide you to reduce its effects.
Symptoms like:
- You may feel wheezing while breathing.
- Feeling tightness in your chest.
- Difficulties while you breathe.
- Persistent coughing.
- Difficulty in talking.
- Persistent respiratory infections.
Asthma attack:
Normally you do not have any symptoms of Asthma but all of a sudden, several symptoms arise and you feel trouble breathing or in some serious cases, your easy breathing is interrupted badly. If your symptoms turn to severe stages – rush out to the doctor.
What goes down during an asthma attack:
It’s a terrifying experience – feels like a tremendous heaviness on your chest. It’s a hard struggle to breathe properly when you have been triggered by a sudden asthma attack. Extra mucus clogs the airways. Breathing becomes laboured, and oxygen intake drops. Normal cough & flu also may be the cause of asthma attacks. Certain illnesses sometimes trigger the most and you experience severe breathing problems or are not able to breathe properly.
Causes that must be looked out for Asthma:
- Smoking or using tobacco leads to breathing problems like asthma.
- Climate change or seasonal changes may bring asthma conditions.
- Pollution – air pollution, is one of the foremost causes of asthma.
- Pet dander is a common risk factor of asthma, you may be attacked with asthma.
- Family records may play a crucial role in having asthma.
- Stress – another health condition, may introduce asthma.
- Certain pollen allergies.
Manage Your Asthma:
The good news? Asthma doesn’t have to cramp your style! You can lead a pretty normal life if you know how to manage it. Here’s how:
- Medication Is Your Friend
You might need to take two types of medication: - Long-term control medications: These are your everyday inhalers (usually corticosteroids) that reduce inflammation in your airways.
- Quick-relief medications: These are your emergency inhalers (like albuterol) that help you breathe when you’re in the middle of an asthma attack.
Self-Help Tips to Manage Asthma:
- Seek quick-relief medications to manage on an emergency basis.
- Make your home free from dust. Always clean your household, and air condition filters or avoid the materials which are creating specks of dust in your households.
- Stay away from such kinds of perfumes, sprays or heavy smell perfumes.
- Avoid some fruits like bananas, and canned foods that create too much mucus and can cause bronchial asthma.
- Involve yourself with regular exercises that keep you moving and active so that your lungs also be healthy and fresh.
- If you are a smoker – stop smoking soon.
Guiding Tips For An Emergency:
And just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, all of these symptoms can hit you out of nowhere, making you feel like you’re trying to breathe but not possible -require prior help:
- Call your doctor first for the help of medication.
- Sit straight and make yourself comfortable which helps your airways to open properly.
- In case of an Asthma attack, try to stay as calm as you can because stress or panic can make your condition worse than before.
- While you face an Asthma attack, just take a long, slow, and steady breath.
When to Seek Help?
Sometimes, despite all your efforts, asthma symptoms may flare up unexpectedly. If you’re experiencing severe wheezing, chest pain, or struggling to breathe even after using your inhaler, it’s time to get to the emergency room.
Remember, asthma attacks are serious, but with the right tools and mindset, you can manage your condition and live your life to the fullest.
Conclusion:
Asthma is not something you should fear, but something you should understand and manage like the pro you are. With the right medications, avoiding triggers, and a little lifestyle, you will be breathing easy in no time. And remember, asthma may make you work a little harder to take a breath, but it won’t stop you from living a full, amazing life.
