What is Asthma?
Asthma is a condition caused by narrowing of the airways. People with asthma have sensitive airways which react to triggers that set off their asthma. Their airways swell and get thick with mucus and the muscles around the airway squeeze tight, making it hard to breathe.
What are the symptoms of Asthma?
The most common asthma symptoms are:
If you suspect that you might have asthma, you should see your doctor for a professional diagnosis. Most people can control their asthma with medications and lead a normal life. When your asthma is well controlled, you should experience occasional symptoms, and rarer asthma attacks (or flare-ups).
These symptoms are caused by the narrowing of the airway and may vary between each individual. However, these symptoms may also change over time. If asthma is left untreated, the long term inflammation of the airway can cause permanent damage to the airway, thus leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Your doctor will prescribe you medication to help manage your asthma. The type and amount you need to take will depend on the severity and frequency of your symptoms and/or asthma attacks.
- shortness of breath
- wheeze
- chest tightness, and/or
- a dry, irritating and continual cough (especially at night/early in the morning, or with exercise or activity)
If you suspect that you might have asthma, you should see your doctor for a professional diagnosis. Most people can control their asthma with medications and lead a normal life. When your asthma is well controlled, you should experience occasional symptoms, and rarer asthma attacks (or flare-ups).
These symptoms are caused by the narrowing of the airway and may vary between each individual. However, these symptoms may also change over time. If asthma is left untreated, the long term inflammation of the airway can cause permanent damage to the airway, thus leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Your doctor will prescribe you medication to help manage your asthma. The type and amount you need to take will depend on the severity and frequency of your symptoms and/or asthma attacks.
Who & what causes/triggers Asthma?
Asthma affects people of all ages. Some people get it when they are young; others when they are older. The causes are not fully understood but can result from both genetics and the environment. Some factors contributing to development of asthma include:
- Family history - Having a parent with asthma, eczema, or hayfever increases a child’s risk of developing asthma
- Smoking during pregnancy can damage a baby’s lungs and lead to respiratory illness
- Exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace can cause occupational asthma
- Exposure to allergens, such as tobacco smoke, dust-mites, pollen, dust and pollution
- Activity and exercise
- Changes in temperature and weather
- Emotions (e.g laughter or stress)
- Modern diets may have contributed to the higher levels of asthma and allergy. This could be due to factors such as an increase in processed foods and polyunsaturated fatty acid from margarine and vegetable oil, and a reduction in antioxidants from fresh fruit and vegetables and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid from oily fish.
What to do if you suspect you have Asthma?
Your doctor will decide if you have asthma based on talking to you, examining you and performing some objective breathing tests. She/he will evaluate:
- What your symptoms are, how frequently these occur, and whether you notice any improvement with medication (if you are using anti-asthma treatment)
- Your medical history
- Your family history
- Your allergies
- What things or situations cause you to have symptoms (your triggers)
- Your lung function (using tests like spirometry or peak flow monitoring)
What are the asthma medications available?
Authors: Loren Mundy, Uma Mageswari Sellvaraj, Ng Victoria, Nikhil Jotsingani