What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic medical condition of the respiratory system. Asthma attacks are marked by the swelling of the lung’s air passages and increased mucous production, leading to difficulties in breathing, sometimes severe. The risks posed by the disease vary by the individual. For some, asthma is little more than a nuisance; for others, it can mean life-threatening medical emergencies.

Asthma can strike at any age; about seven million of those affected are children. There is currently no cure for asthma but its symptoms can be controlled with proper medical treatment and personal care.

What Are Asthma’s Symptoms?

If you’re wondering whether you have asthma, there are several common indicators. The more regular or severe the symptoms, the more serious your condition is likely to be:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Coughing fits
• Tightness of the chest
• Wheezing sounds when breathing out
• Lack of sleep from constant coughing or breathing problems

Asthma is sometimes worsened by specific behaviors or environments. Examples include:

• Allergy-induced asthma is triggered by contact with common allergens, such as pollen, mold, or pet dander.
• Exercise-induced asthma can be caused by any kind of sustained physical activity, especially in cold, dry, winter air. 
• Occupational asthma is linked to irritants in the workplace, including particulate matter and chemical fumes. 

These symptoms are not unique to asthma. Diagnosing asthma typically involves medical testing and a physical exam in addition to documenting the presence of symptoms.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic medical condition of the respiratory system. Asthma attacks are marked by the swelling of the lung’s air passages and increased mucous production, leading to difficulties in breathing, sometimes severe. The risks posed by the disease vary by the individual. For some, asthma is little more than a nuisance; for others, it can mean life-threatening medical emergencies.

Asthma can strike at any age; about seven million of those affected are children. There is currently no cure for asthma but its symptoms can be controlled with proper medical treatment and personal care.

What Are Asthma’s Symptoms?

If you’re wondering whether you have asthma, there are several common indicators. The more regular or severe the symptoms, the more serious your condition is likely to be:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Coughing fits
• Tightness of the chest
• Wheezing sounds when breathing out
• Lack of sleep from constant coughing or breathing problems

Asthma is sometimes worsened by specific behaviors or environments. Examples include:

• Allergy-induced asthma is triggered by contact with common allergens, such as pollen, mold, or pet dander.
• Exercise-induced asthma can be caused by any kind of sustained physical activity, especially in cold, dry, winter air. 
• Occupational asthma is linked to irritants in the workplace, including particulate matter and chemical fumes. 

These symptoms are not unique to asthma. Diagnosing asthma typically involves medical testing and a physical exam in addition to documenting the presence of symptoms.

What Causes Asthma?

The cause or causes of asthma are unclear. Medical researchers suspect that the disease has both environmental and genetic aspects. Relevant factors may include an inherited tendency for allergies, parents with asthma, childhood respiratory diseases, and contact with certain allergens and irritants.

The latter appears to play a critical role in triggering the disease and include:

• Airborne matter, such as pollen, mold, and pet dander
• Smoke and other pollutants 
• Sustained physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
• Cold, dry air
• Sulfites and some food preservatives
• Colds and bronchial infections 
• Acid reflux or GERD
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, beta blockers, and other medications
• Stress and strong emotions

Additional risk factors for asthma are being overweight and smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke.

I Have Asthma. What Should I Do?

If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, there are steps you can take to manage your condition, rather than letting it manage you:

• Work with your physician to develop an asthma action plan – and make sure you follow it. It’s particularly important to be timely with prescribed medications, including inhalers. 
• Identify your asthma triggers. Stay healthy by steering clear of irritants.
• Keep current with vaccinations for respiratory ailments, including influenza (“the flu”).
• Pay attention to your breathing. It may help you recognize and treat an oncoming attack before it escalates.
• Are you using your quick-relief inhaler more frequently? If so, that may indicate your asthma is growing more severe. Be sure to see your physician. 

How Is Asthma Diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing possible asthma symptoms, contact your primary care physician. He or she will diagnose your condition, based on family history, a physical exam, and medical test results. 

Personal & Family History

There is some scientific evidence for asthma having a genetic component. Your physician will want to know if other members of your family have been treated for asthma or allergies. He or she will also want to know about your personal experience with asthma-like symptoms. For example, when do they occur and how often? How severe are they? Are they worse in certain environments? Are they triggered by certain irritants?

Physical Exam

You will also undergo a physical exam. Your physician will look for evidence of asthmatic symptoms. One goal of the exam is to eliminate possible non-asthmatic causes for your symptoms, such as a respiratory ailment or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary function tests measure the volume of air being processed by your lungs when you breathe. There are two primary tests:

• Spirometry estimates the degree of airway constriction that occurs when you breathe. Constricted air passages may indicate asthma. 
• Peak flow measures the strength of your out breaths. A low peak-flow reading is typical of asthma. 

Other Medical Tests

Your physician may choose to perform one or more additional tests:

• Imaging tests, including chest X-rays, CT scans, or electrocardiograms (EKGs), to identify respiratory abnormalities or diseases that can affect breathing.
• Allergy tests for dust, molds, pollens, and other potential triggers for asthmatic attacks. 
• Nitrous oxide test. Elevated levels of this gas in your breath may be a sign of inflamed airways and asthma. 

How Is Asthma Treated?

Asthma is controlled rather than cured. Developed in partnership with your physician, a successful asthma action plan will:

• reduce or eliminate major asthmatic symptoms
• strengthen lung function
• lessen the need for quick-relief medications
• let you undertake normal daily activities
• prevent serious asthma attacks and emergency-room visits

Identifying and avoiding asthma triggers is critical in asthma treatment. Also important are the medications selected by your physician for both long-term control of your condition and quick relief when symptoms flare up.

Asthma Control Medications

Long-term control medications are taken daily. Some come in pill form but most are delivered by inhaler. Their primary purpose is to suppress asthmatic symptoms before they occur. Long-term medications include:

• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Anti-inflammatory medicines such as cromolyn
• Immunomodulators
• Inhaled beta2-agonists
• Leukotriene modifiers
• Theophylline

Asthma Relief Medications

Quick-relief medications are only taken when needed. They reverse sudden-onset symptoms by relaxing bronchial muscles and improving airflow in the lungs. Albuterol and other short-acting beta2-agonist medications are designed for quick relief.

We’re Here to Help

Asthma is a serious medical condition that requires an equally serious effort at control. If you develop asthma-like symptoms, take the first step by seeing your Baptist Health medical physician.