Know what Asthma is
The word Asthma is of Greek origin, literally meaning, “breathlessness”. Asthma is a well-known lung disease-causing inflammation along the airways of the lungs. Though there is no cure, its symptoms can be treated by using prescribed medications. A physician may use the Spirometry test or the Methacholine challenge to determine if a person suffers from asthma
Asthmatic Symptoms
The following are the symptoms of Asthma.
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
Types of Asthma
Per the triggers and the allergens, Asthma is classified into several types. Moreover, knowing the type of Asthma helps in proper medication and treatment
Allergic Asthma
This is a common type of asthma affecting the majority of the people. This is caused by the allergens like flower pollen, dust, perfumes, and dander of pet animals.
Asthma – COPD Overlap
This is a condition wherein the Asthma and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, well known as COPD, overlap. This is one of the deadliest types of asthma and proper care has to be taken to treat the symptoms.
Occupational Asthma
When your occupation causes asthma it is occupational asthma. There might be certain working conditions that cause asthma to you. The raw materials used, smoke or fumes, dust at the workplace might all trigger occupational asthma.
Non-allergic Asthma
Non-allergens may also cause asthma. The triggers may vary from weather, stress, depression, infections, and drug/food additives.
Cough-Variant Asthma
This type of asthma is prevalent among people widely. Too much coughing is the main symptom. Sinus is mostly accompanied with cough-variant asthma.
Childhood Asthma
Few children diagnosed with Asthma may find betterment when they grow up. The asthmatic condition may improve or fade away entirely; this scenario is termed Childhood Asthma. Be cautious about the chance of recurrence.
Adult-Onset Asthma
Women are prone to this type of Asthma than men. At childhood, a patient may not be affected by asthma but at a later stage probably during adulthood he/she may develop asthma.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
The usual asthma patients experience asthmatic symptoms while exercising. But people with Exercise-Induced asthma experience the symptoms only when exercising.
Nocturnal Asthma
Nocturnal Asthma as the name implies has its symptoms affecting a patient more at night. Research shows that more deaths happen due to Nocturnal Asthma when compared with the other types.
Seasonal Asthma
These symptoms are experienced by a patient not for yearlong but only during specific seasons. Most patients are affected by seasonal asthma during winter and spring. The cold and chilly climate during winter and the blossoming of flowers during spring may trigger asthma.
Alcohol-induced asthma
In this type of asthma, Alcohol intake aggravates the asthmatic symptoms in a person.
Asthma Treatment guidelines
As aforesaid, asthma is not curable but its symptoms are treatable. Your self-conviction and moreover, co-operation with your physician should yield good results in controlling your asthmatic symptoms. Below are the treatment guidelines for Asthma.
Evade your triggers and allergens
The first and foremost way to control your asthmatic symptom is to avoid your triggers and allergens. This will solve most of your problem. When you expose yourself more to the triggers and allergens causing asthma, you increase the chance of the symptoms occurring in you.
Follow proper medications
The physicians recommend both long term and short term medications to control the symptoms. Have an inhaler or reliever with you always. If you suddenly face an asthmatic attack it will come handy in those situations. Additionally, please ensure that you adhere to the long term medications (controllers) prescribed by your physician judiciously. Don’t skip the intake of the medicines.
Consult your physician as required
Don’t try to practice self-medication, it is very dangerous. Follow the physician’s instructions ably and moreover, make it a point to visit the physician at regular intervals. Some tend to avoid visiting a physician when they feel better, this is wrong. Your health has to be monitored regularly and skipping consultation may increase your asthmatic vulnerability.
Vaccinate whenever necessary
As asthma is a progressive disease it may shoot up when combined with illnesses like flu, viral fever, etc. Thus ensure that you vaccinate whenever and wherever necessary to avoid symptom flare-up.
Positive lifestyle
Lead a positive lifestyle. Quit smoking and likewise, develop a positive attitude. Believe in yourselves and don’t be downcast. Asthma is challenging but it is not that you cannot try taking on it.
With the right outlook to life and moreover, with the support of your physician, you can easily try tackling asthma. Be ready and pull up your socks!