Asthma - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

More than 300 million individuals worldwide have asthma, including 11.6% of kids aged 6 to 7. Over 8 million people in the UK have asthma diagnoses or roughly 12% of the population.

What is asthma?

Asthma is an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs' airways. In addition to making breathing tough, it may also make some physical tasks difficult or even impossible.

Although there is no known cure for asthma, there are successful management strategies. Asthma can alter over time, so stay in touch with your doctor frequently and let them know if anything changes so they can adjust your therapy.

What are the causes of asthma?

Pollen, dust mites, feathers, and animal hair allergies are the main causes of asthma symptoms. A cold or the flu can also cause it to flare up, as can smoke fumes and air pollution.

The onset of asthma has also been linked to specific drugs. This is especially true with medications that reduce inflammation, like aspirin and ibuprofen.

Exercise and heightened emotional states like excessive laughing or tension can cause asthma.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Coughing and wheezing are common asthma symptoms. Additionally, you can feel short of breath, and your chest might tighten. Depending on the person and the time of day, a person's asthma symptoms might be moderate to severe. The duration of each episode of asthma symptom might range from an hour to days or weeks if untreated.

Contrarily, asthma can be fatal and is a highly serious condition. In the UK, asthma attacks currently cause the deaths of three people on average each day. In the last five years, the number of asthma deaths has increased by almost 20% in the UK, making it one of the worst European countries for the disease.

Can asthma be cured completely?

You cannot cure asthma. Some asthmatic children will outgrow their condition by maturity. Asthma is a persistent condition for many people, though. It is possible to live a healthy life while having asthma. Modern therapies are quite successful. By altering your lifestyle, you can also lower your risk of developing asthma attacks.

When should you see the doctor?

If you think you or your child have asthma, you should see your doctor. If a diagnosis is made, they will do a few simple breathing tests and offer recommendations for therapy.

What is the treatment for asthma?

Using an inhaler is the standard asthma treatment and helps to reduce symptoms. They can be divided into two groups: those used to treat asthma symptoms when you're already short of breath and those used to stop symptoms from returning. Even when you feel fine, you use a preventative inhaler daily. A doctor may occasionally advise tablets in place of or in addition to inhalers.

You must know how to use your inhaler correctly. While the proper use of various inhaler devices may seem simple at first, many people still require assistance to make the most of them. Even if you feel fine, it is advised that you spend a few minutes reviewing your inhaler technique. You can learn more from your nearby pharmacy, asthma nurse, or doctor.

What is an asthma attack?

The muscles surrounding your airways relax when you breathe regularly, allowing air to pass through them silently and effortlessly. The three possible outcomes during an asthma attack are:

Bronchospasm: The muscles that surround the airways tighten. When they tighten, your airways become more obstructed. Air cannot flow freely through constricted airways.
Inflammation: Your airways' inner lining swells. The amount of air that may enter or leave your lungs is limited by swollen airways.
Mucus production: The attack causes your body to produce extra mucus. This heavy mucus blocks the airway.

When your airways become more constrictive, you gasp, a sound your airways make when you exhale. An asthma episode may also be an exacerbation or a flare-up. It is a term used to describe asthma that is not under control.

When you feel any of these severe symptoms and feel your asthma is not under control, contact your GP as soon as possible or reach Spire Pharmacy for help.

Read article >