Asthma
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system that causes attacks of shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing. In severe cases, it may lead to suffocation. Asthma is considered a significant public health problem. Today, asthma affects up to 8% of the world's adult population.
Symptoms of Asthma
- Severe cough that produces small amounts of clear mucus.
- Inhalation is short, exhalation - labored, long, accompanied by whistling.
- Rapid breathing (30 breaths per minute or more).
- Wheezing or whistling when breathing.
- Severe shortness of breath. A person may have difficulty speaking and the inability to speak more than short phrases.
- Lower chest tightness or pain. It feels like the chest is being squeezed.
- Pale face, blue lips.
- Forced posture - people find it difficult to stand straight, they lean forward, resting their arms on their knees while trying to clear the throat.
- Hives.
- Headache.
Process of an Asthma Attack
- Harbingers of asthma attacks. A person may develop headaches, hives, allergies, or cold symptoms. Breathing becomes labored and difficult. The onset of an asthma attack is characterized by dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, redness, or flushed face. A constant runny nose and a nonproductive cough do not go away after taking symptomatic drugs.
- Peak moment. The main stage is accompanied by severe shortness of breath, an unproductive cough, wheezing, and whistling when breathing.
- Recovery phase. Shortness of breath slowly gets better, coughing makes it easier to cough up mucus, a person gets back to breathing normally.
Asthma attacks are not all alike. For example, people may not experience warning signs of an asthma attack or a similar set of symptoms.
Triggers of Asthma Attack
- Seasonal colds and flu can lead to asthma attacks.
- Allergens. House dust and dust mites are common triggers of an asthma attack. Other allergens include plant pollen and animal dander.
- Tobacco smoke.
- Emotional expressions. Strong emotions such as excitement, stress, fear, or panic can cause an attack, especially if they are accompanied by rapid breathing.
- Mold. Inhaling mold spores can trigger an asthma attack, even if you do not have a mold allergy. Mold grows in damp places.
- Cleaning products. Accidental inhalation of vapors and gases from cleaning agents can provoke acute bronchospasm. Try to avoid products that contain fragrances, acids, sodium hypochlorite. Household chemicals with ethanol or low-concentration (up to 3%) hydrogen peroxide are considered safer.
Bronchospasm can occur after breathing in cold air, certain foods, fragrances, medications, sports, or physical activity that increases the respiratory rate.
Risk Factors for Asthma
- Genetics. If one parent has asthma, their child has a 25% risk of developing asthma. If both parents have it, this risk rises to 75%.
- Allergy. The risk is much higher in people with allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis.
- Environmentally unsafe working conditions.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
Asthma is a chronic condition that cannot be cured completely but can be controlled.