Asthma
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional difficulty breathing.
It affects people of all ages and usually begins in childhood, although it may develop for the first time in adults.
There is currently no cure, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so that they do not have a significant impact on your health.
The Difference Between Allergy and Asthma
Spring can be a difficult time of year for people who have allergies or asthma. Flowers and trees are in full bloom, causing pollen to coat sidewalks, cars, and everything in between.
Asthma and allergies are linked in many ways, but what is the difference between the two?
Both asthmatic and allergies can make you feel miserable. Understanding the similarities and differences between the two can help you learn to manage symptoms or potentially avoid them altogether.
Asthma and Allergies
Asthma and allergies often go hand-in-hand. Asthma is a disease of the branches of the windpipe (bronchial tubes), which carry air in and out of the lungs. There are several different types.
Allergic asthma is a type of asthmatic that is triggered by an allergy (for example, pollen or mold spores). According to the American Academy of Allergy, Immunology, many of the 25 million Americans with asthma also have allergies, and this is called allergic.
Air is normally taken into the body through the nose and windpipe and into the bronchial tubes. At the end of the tubes are tiny air sacs called alveoli that deliver fresh air (oxygen) to the blood. The air sacs also collect stale air (carbon dioxide), which is exhaled out of the body. During normal breathing, the bands of muscle surrounding the airways are relaxed and air moves freely.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms?
Symptoms of asthmatic attacks when the airways make the three changes described above. Some people may walk long distances between episodes while others have certain symptoms every day. Common symptoms of include:
- Frequent coughs, especially at night
- Shortness of breath
- Breathing
- Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
Not everyone with has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your symptoms may also vary from one chest to another. Symptoms may be mild at one time asthmatic and severe at another.
Moderate asthmatic episodes are usually very common. Typically, airways open within a few minutes to a few hours. Severe episodes are rare, but they are long lasting and require immediate medical attention. It is important to be aware of and treat even mild symptoms to help prevent severe episodes and keep in control.
If you suffer from allergies, reacting to anything that causes allergies can worsen asthmatic symptoms.
What Are the Early Warning Signs?
The first warning signs start before the most obvious symptoms of and are the first signs that a person’s is getting worse. Early warning signs and symptoms of attacks include:
- Frequent coughs, especially at night
- Loss of breath easily or shortness of breath
- Feeling very tired or weak when exercising, in addition to shortness of breath, cough, or shortness of breath
- Decreases or changes in the flow of upper respiratory tract, a measure of how fast air exits the lungs when you breathe heavily.
- Symptoms of flu or other respiratory illnesses, or allergies
- Sleep difficulties
If you have any of these symptoms, seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent severe asthmatic attacks.
What Causes Asthma?
Asthma is a problem in the airways due to many factors. The airways in a person with are very sensitive and respond to many things, which are referred to as “causes.” Exposure to these causes often produces symptoms of .
There are many types of triggers for asthmatic. Reactions vary from person to person and vary from time to time. Some people have many causes while others do not. One of the most important aspects of controlling is to avoid the causes where possible.
Common causes of include:
- Infection: colds, flu, sinus infections
- Exercise: more common in children *
- Climate: cold air, temperature changes
- Cigarette smoke and air pollution
- Allergens: substances that cause allergies in the lungs, including dust mites, pollen, pets, fungi, food and cockroaches
- Dust or dust-causing substances
- Strong odor from chemical products
- Strong emotions: anxiety, crying, screaming, or laughing out loud
- Medications: aspirin, ibrofrofen, and beta blocker drugs used to treat conditions including high blood pressure, migraines, or glaucoma
How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
Doctors can use a number of tests to diagnose asthmatic. First, the doctor reviews your medical history, symptoms, and does a physical exam. Next, tests may be given to check the general condition of your lungs, including:
Chest X-ray in which a picture of the lungs is taken.
Pulmonary function test (spirometry): A test that measures how well the lungs can take in air and how well this air can be exhaled (lung function). The patient blows into a tube placed between the lips.
Peak expiratory flow: A test that measures the maximum speed that air can be exhaled from the lungs. The patient blows into a hand-held device called a peak flow meter.
Methacholine challenge test: A test used to see if the airways are sensitive to methacholine, an irritant that tightens the airways.
Other tests, such as allergy tests, blood tests, sinus X-rays and other imaging scans, and esophageal (throat) pH tests may also be ordered. These tests can help your doctor find out if other conditions are affecting your symptoms.
What Is the Treatment for Asthma?
By avoiding asthma triggers, taking medication, and carefully monitoring daily asthmatic symptoms, asthmatic attacks can be avoided or at least limited. Proper use of medication is the basis of good asthmatic control. Drugs used to treat asthma include bronchodilators, anti-inflammatories, leukotriene modifiers and immunomodulators.
Bronchodilators to Treat
These drugs treat by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. They rapidly open the airways, letting more air in and out of the lungs and improving breathing.
Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily. In the short-acting form, bronchodilators relieve or stop symptoms and are very helpful during anattack. The three main types of bronchodilators are beta2 agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline.
Anti-inflammatories and Asthma
These asthma drugs, which include inhaled corticosteroids such as Alvesco, Arnuity Ellipta, Asmanex, Azmacort, Flovent, Qvar, and Pulmicort, reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers. Anti-inflammatories are taken daily for several weeks before they begin to control asthmatic . These asthmatic drugs also lead to fewer symptoms, better airflow, less sensitive airways, less airway damage, and fewer asthmatic episodes. If taken every day, they can control or prevent asthma symptoms.
Another type of anti-inflammatory asthmatic drug is cromolyn sodium. This medication is a mast cell stabilizer, which means that it helps prevent the release of asthmatic -inducing chemicals from cells in the body known as mast cells. Intal is a drug commonly used in children and for exercise-induced asthma.
Leukotriene Modifiers for Treatment
Leukotriene modifiers used for treatment include the drugs Accolate, Singulair, and Zyflo. Leukotrienes are chemicals that occur naturally in our bodies and cause tightening of airway muscles and production of mucus and fluid. Leukotriene modifiers work by limiting these reactions, improving airflow and reducing asthmatic symptoms. They are taken as pills (or as oral granules that can be mixed with food) one or two times a day and decrease the need for other asthma medications. The most common side effects are headache and nausea. Leukotriene modifiers may interact with other drugs, like Coumadin and theophylline. Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking.
Immunomodulators
The drug Omalizumab (Xolair) is an antibody that blocks immunoglobulin E (IgE). This prevents an allergen from triggering an asthmatic attack. Xolair is given as an injection. In order to receive this therapy a person has to have an elevated IgE level and have known allergies. The allergies need to be confirmed by either blood or skin test.
Reslizumab (Cinqair) is a maintenance medication for those with severe asthmatic . It would be used along with your regular asthma medicines. It is given every four weeks as an intravenous injection. This medicine works by reducing the number of a specific type of white blood cells, called eosinophils that play a role in causing asthmatic symptoms. It can reduce severe asthmatic attacks. Reslizumab can be used by those age 18 and older.
Mepolizumab (Nucala) also targets the levels of blood eosinophils. It is given as an injection every 4 weeks and is used as a maintenance therapy medication.
How Are Drugs Taken?
Many asthmatic drugs are taken using a device called a “hydrofluoroalkane inhaler” or HFA Inhaler (formerly called a metered dose inhaler,) a small aerosol canister in a plastic container that releases a burst of medication when pressed down from the top.
Several drugs can also be taken as a powder inhaled through the mouth from a device called a dry powder inhaler. drugs can also be taken as vapors, pills, liquids, shots or intravenously.
What Else Should I Do to Help Control My asthma?
To control , it’s also important to keep track of how well lungs are functioning. symptoms are monitored using a peak flow meter — a device that measures the speed of air that coming out of the lungs when you exhale forcefully. This measurement is called peak expiratory flow (PEF) and is calculated in liters per minute.
The meter can alert you to changes in the airways that may be a sign of worsening before you have symptoms. By taking daily peak flow readings you can learn when to adjust medications to keep under control. Your doctor can also use this information to adjust your treatment plan.
Allergy Medications
Allergy medications come in a variety of forms: pills, inhalers, nasal sprays, eyedrops, shots, skin creams, and liquids. They can be broken down into four main types.
Antihistamines: Antihistamines block the production of histamine, which is the chemical produced by your immune system during an allergic reaction. Histamine is what causes symptoms.
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids provide relief from allergies by suppressing the inflammation which occurs during an allergic reaction.
Decongestants: Decongestants provide rapid, short-term relief for sinus and nasal congestion which often occur during an allergic reaction.
Mast cell stabilizers: Mast cell stabilizers are similar to antihistamines in that they prevent the release of symptom-causing immune system chemicals. Unlike antihistamines, they usually take several days to take effect.
Complications
Although can normally be kept under control, it’s still a serious condition that can cause a number of problems.
This is why it’s important to follow your treatment plan and not ignore your symptoms if they’re getting worse.
Badly controlled can cause problems such as:
feeling tired all the time
underperformance at, or absence from, work or school
stress, anxiety or depression
disruption of your work and leisure because of unplanned visits to a GP or hospital
lung infections (pneumonia)
delays in growth or puberty in children
There’s also a risk of severe attacks, which can be life threatening.
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