What is Asthma? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

In This Blog:

  1. What is Asthma?
  2. Asthma Causes
  3. Common Symptoms of Asthma
  4. Asthma Treatment
  5. Suffer From Lung Disease
  6. Air Purifier for Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects 26 million Americans. There is currently no cure for asthma. Despite this people who suffer from asthma can control it.

There are many ways to help prevent an attack or episode from happening and ways to treat the attacks when they do happen. Asthma affects people of all ages and backgrounds and in most cases there is no known cause.

Controlling asthma can be done by knowing your triggers, taking all prescriptions according to the label directions and recognizing the early signs of an episode. In this blog we discuss on Asthma Symptoms and Treatment

what is asthma
Asthma Causes

Asthma triggers can vary from person to person. Some people only have a few triggers while others suffer from many.

The triggers can also vary in the severity of the attack. Allergens are a common trigger for asthma sufferers. This can include dust mites, cockroaches, weed, tree, and grass pollens, mold, and pet dander.

Irritants in the air can also cause an episode. Smoke from cigarettes, air pollution, wood fires, charcoal grills, and strong fumes from paint, gasoline, scented soaps, and perfumes are all airborne irritants that people have noticed cause an attack.

Exercise has also been known to cause an asthma attack (for more information on exercised induced asthma check out this post). Changes in weather, dry wind, and cold air are likewise known to be triggers.

Another trigger for some people is the expressing of strong emotions such as anger, fear, and excitement, laughing, yelling, or even crying. Medications like aspirin and NSAIDs are known triggers as well. Other less common triggers include sulfites in food, hormonal changes, and reflux.

It’s triggers can cause coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness making it difficult to breathe.

Common Symptoms of Asthma:

  1. Shortness of Breath: Asthma often leads to difficulty in breathing, which can manifest as shortness of breath. This symptom can range from mild to severe.
  2. Wheezing: Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when you breathe, especially during exhalation. It’s a characteristic symptom of asthma.
  3. Coughing: A persistent, dry cough is another common symptom of asthma. Coughing may worsen at night or early in the morning.
  4. Chest Tightness: People with asthma may experience a feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest.

Asthma Treatment:

  1. Controller Medications (Long-term control):
    • Inhaled Corticosteroids: These are the most common long-term medications for asthma. They help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms.
    • Long-acting Beta-agonists (LABAs): These bronchodilators help keep the airways open for an extended period and are often used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids.
  2. Reliever Medications (Quick relief):
    • Short-acting Beta-agonists (SABAs): These are bronchodilators used to quickly relieve acute symptoms during an asthma attack or as-needed.
  3. Biologics: In some cases, especially when asthma is severe and not well-controlled with standard treatments, biologic medications may be prescribed. These target specific immune system pathways involved in asthma.
  4. Leukotriene Modifiers: These medications help reduce inflammation in the airways by blocking leukotrienes, which are chemicals that can contribute to asthma symptoms.

Reference by: Asthma – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

Suffer From Lung Disease

For those who would like to know if they suffer from asthma they must consult their physician. They will be asked for a detailed medical history. They will have to have a complete physical exam. The physician may also perform a lung function test as well as a chest or sinus x-ray.

If you are diagnosed with this there are many treatment options including inhalers, nebulizers, and other medications in the form of a pill. Consult with your physician to see what will work best for you and your asthma.

As with most conditions prevention is always the foremost thought for people who suffer from asthma. To help prevent an asthma attack you should always take your medications as prescribed by your physician.

Air Purifier for Asthma

Asthma sufferers should do anything and everything they can to avoid their triggers whatever they may be. The best and easiest way to do so for allergens and air irritants is with a high performance personal air purifier like this one seen here.Air Tamer A310 personal air purifier A personal portable air purifier can be used both indoors and outdoors. AirTamer A310 Personal Air Purifier is one of the best wearable air purifiers in the world at removing irritants from the air around you so that even the most severe cases can enjoy the great outdoors.

Asthma affects so many people and all of us here at AirTamer want to help, both the people who suffer from it and their caretakers get the best information available. If you have any questions, please let us know. Until next time

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