Asthma is a long standing or a chronic disease which affects the respiratory system of the human body. The respiratory system primarily performs the function of breathing and in patients who are affected with Asthma the airway is inflamed thereby causing difficulty in breathing.
What are the causes of asthma ?
Asthma is disease which can be acquired due to environmental or due to genetic factors. Certain factors which predispose an individual to get Asthma are mentioned below.
- Family history or relatives who are suffering from Asthma
- Increased allergic response to substances or environment
- Exposure to respiratory infections during childhood
- Exposure to occupational allergens
- Exposure to airborne allergens or viruses during developmental stages of childhood
- Exercise can also induce Asthma
- Sulfites in food and drinks
- Smoking cigarette
The risk of developing Asthma is higher in children as when compared to adults and the incidence is higher in males as compared to females. You can ask your treating doctor or your family physician about the risk factors in detail.
What are the symptoms of asthma ?
Since Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system, the affected individuals usually have the below mentioned symptoms.
- Difficulty in breathing
- Breathlessness
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Feeling of tightness in the chest
- Difficulty in breathing during sleep
These symptoms can worsen with sometime in some individuals and it is important to seek urgent medical care if that happens.
How is asthma diagnosed ?
Asthma is diagnosed with a detailed physical examination, clinical analysis of your signs and symptoms along with test such as Spirometry (to check the amount of air you can breathe in and breathe out) and Peak flow test to check the intensity with which one can breathe in and out. Other advanced diagnostic tests can also be done to diagnose Asthma such as Chest X-ray, sputum analysis, blood tests to check increase in eosinophil counts and many others. You can ask your physician to explain to you the variety of tests which can be used to diagnose Asthma and which ones are particularly suitable for you.
How is asthma treated ?
Asthma is a condition which can be clinically managed to prevent its worsening but no exact cure of the disease is available yet. Thus, it makes it more important to understand what Asthma is, how it can be prevented and treated. Depending on your type of Asthma, your symptoms and your overall health your treatment may vary. Treatment includes anti-allergic medication and inhalational steroids to reduce the inflammation of the airway. Certain other medications such as bronchodilators are also used for quick relief. You can ask your physician about the medications which can be suitable to treat yours or your child’s Asthma.
Why awareness about asthma could be a major step in reducing the burden of the disease ?
Asthma is a common condition but people aren’t usually aware of the causes and ways to monitor the status of the disease to prevent any worsening of the same. Increasing awareness about the disease helps people in understanding to how to live a healthy life, how to prevent worsening of symptoms and increase physical activity in moderation to improve one’s overall health. If the general population is made aware of Asthma, its etiology and how it can be prevented, it can help in reducing the global burden of the disease and in improving the lives of individuals who are affected by it.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
