Asthma - Causes, Symptoms and Remedies

Understanding Asthma

Asthma, also known as bronchial asthma, is a persistent lung condition that requires continual medical management as it is a chronic ailment that does not resolve on its own. The gravity of asthma lies in its potential to become life-threatening if not promptly addressed. During a bout of asthma, commonly referred to as an asthma attack, the normal dynamics of breathing undergo significant disruptions. Three primary events characterize an asthma attack:

Bronchospasm:

• The muscles encircling the airways undergo constriction, resulting in a tightening effect.
• Constricted airways impede the smooth flow of air, causing restriction.

Inflammation:

• The lining of the airways experiences swelling, diminishing the passage for air to enter or exit the lungs.

Mucus Production:

• The body heightens mucus production during the attack.
• Thickened mucus proves obstructive, further impeding the airflow through the airways.

This heightened airway constriction manifests as wheezing, an audible sound produced during exhalation. An asthma attack may also be termed an exacerbation or flare-up, signifying a lack of control over the condition. It underscores the critical need for effective and consistent asthma management to prevent such episodes.

Types of Asthma

Asthma manifests in various types categorized by both their origins and the intensity of symptoms. Healthcare professionals differentiate asthma into the following classifications:

• Intermittent Asthma: Characterized by sporadic occurrences, intermittent asthma allows for symptom-free intervals, providing a semblance of normalcy between flares.
• Persistent Asthma: In persistent asthma, symptoms persist for a significant duration, ranging from mild to severe. Severity is assessed based on the frequency of symptoms and the impact on daily activities during an episode.

What Causes Asthma

• Allergic Asthma: Allergens such as molds, pollens, and pet dander can trigger asthma attacks in individuals with allergic asthma.
• Non-allergic Asthma: External factors like exercise, stress, illnesses, and weather conditions can provoke flare-ups in non-allergic asthma.

Who can get Asthma

• Adult-onset Asthma: This variant emerges after the age of 18, marking the onset of asthma symptoms in adulthood.
• Pediatric Asthma: Commonly known as childhood asthma, this type typically initiates before the age of 5 and can affect infants and toddlers. Children may outgrow asthma, but consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial to assess risks.
• Exercise-induced Asthma: Triggered by physical exertion, this form is also termed exercise-induced bronchospasm.
• Occupational Asthma: Primarily affecting those exposed to irritating substances in their workplace, occupational asthma is associated with specific work environments.
• Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS): This type occurs when an individual experiences both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), both contributing to breathing difficulties.

Causes of Asthma

• Allergies: Individuals with allergies face an increased likelihood of developing asthma.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to airway-irritating substances, including allergens, toxins, fumes, and second- or third-hand smoke, can contribute to asthma development. This is particularly critical for infants and young children with developing immune systems.
• Genetics: A familial history of asthma or allergic diseases raises the individual's susceptibility to the condition.
• Respiratory Infections: Certain respiratory infections, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can adversely impact the developing lungs of young children.

Common Asthma Attack Triggers

Identification of asthma triggers is crucial for avoiding potential attacks, with triggers varying among individuals:

• Air Pollution: External factors like factory emissions, car exhaust, and wildfire smoke can induce asthma attacks.
• Dust Mites: Invisible dust mites present in homes can trigger attacks, especially for those with dust mite allergies.
• Exercise: Physical activity can be a trigger for some individuals.
• Mold: Damp environments fostering mold growth can be problematic for individuals with asthma, regardless of mold allergies.
• Pests: Household pests, such as cockroaches and mice, are potential asthma triggers.
• Pets: Pet dander (dried skin flakes) from animals can irritate airways, leading to asthma attacks.
• Tobacco Smoke: Exposure to tobacco smoke, either from personal smoking or secondhand smoke, heightens the risk of asthma.
• Strong Chemicals or Smells: Certain odors or exposure to strong chemicals may act as triggers.
• Occupational Exposures: Job-related exposures to substances like cleaning products, flour or wood dust, and various chemicals can trigger asthma attacks.

Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

Recognizing asthma involves observing distinctive signs and symptoms, which may include:

• Chest Tightness, Pain, or Pressure
• Coughing (especially at night)
• Shortness of Breath
• Wheezing

Individuals may not experience all symptoms during every flare, and manifestations can vary between asthma attacks. Symptoms may also change over time in individuals with chronic asthma.

How to control Asthma

The primary objective in treating asthma is achieving effective control over symptoms. Asthma control entails the following key aspects:

• Uninterrupted Activities: Successful asthma management enables individuals to engage in desired activities both at work and home without limitations.
• Minimal or Absent Symptoms: Adequate control implies experiencing little to no asthma symptoms, ensuring a comfortable and unhindered daily life.
• Infrequent Reliever Medicine Use: Individuals with well-controlled asthma rarely need to resort to their reliever medicine, such as a rescue inhaler.
• Undisturbed Sleep: Asthma should not disrupt sleep, allowing individuals to rest peacefully without the interference of asthma-related issues.

What to do in case of an Asthma Attack

In the event of a severe asthma attack, prompt medical care is essential. Follow these steps:

• Use Your Rescue Inhaler: Begin by using your rescue inhaler, which contains fast-acting medications to swiftly open up your airways. Unlike maintenance inhalers used daily, the rescue inhaler is employed specifically during symptomatic episodes. It can be used more frequently during severe flare-ups.
• Emergency Department Visit: If the rescue inhaler proves ineffective or is unavailable, seek urgent medical attention by heading to the emergency department. Immediate intervention is crucial, especially if you experience:

1. Anxiety or panic.
2. Bluish discoloration of fingernails, lips (for light-skinned individuals), or gray/whitish lips or gums (for dark-skinned individuals).
3. Chest pain or pressure.
4. Persistent coughing or intense wheezing during breathing.
5. Difficulty speaking.
6. Paleness and excessive sweating on the face.
7. Very rapid or accelerated breathing.

Timely and appropriate medical care is vital during severe asthma attacks to ensure optimal management and resolution of symptoms.