Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.
It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also appear for the first time in adults.
There’s
currently no cure for asthma, but there are simple treatments that can
help keep the symptoms under control so it doesn’t have a significant
impact on your life.
Some people, particularly children, may eventually grow out of asthma. But for others it’s a lifelong condition.
Early Symptoms of asthmaThe main symptoms of asthma are:
-wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
-breathlessness
-a tight chest – which may feel like a band is tightening around it
-coughing
The
severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. They usually
come and go, but for some people they’re more persistent.
Asthma symptoms can sometimes get temporarily worse. This is known as an asthma attack.
When to get medical adviceSeveral
conditions can cause similar Early symptoms of Asthma, such as a chest
infection or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so it’s
important to get a proper diagnosis and correct treatment.
Your
doctor will usually be able to diagnose asthma by asking about your or
your child’s symptoms and carrying out some simple breathing tests.
But
these are often difficult to do in infants and young children, so the
diagnosis may be made on the basis of symptoms and response to a trial
of treatment with an inhaler.
Causes of asthmaAsthma is caused by inflammation (swelling) of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.
This
inflammation makes the breathing tubes highly sensitive, so they
temporarily become narrow. This may occur randomly, or after exposure to
a trigger. The tubes may also sometimes become clogged with sticky
mucus.
Common asthma triggers include:-allergens, such as house dust mites, animal fur and pollens
-other irritants, such as cigarette smoke, strong smells, gases and
-cold air
-exercise (including marathon sex)
-chest infections
The
reason why some people develop asthma isn’t fully understood, although
it’s known that you’re more likely to develop it if you have a close
relative with the condition.
Treatments for asthmaWhile there’s currently no cure for asthma, there are a number of treatments that can help control the condition.
Most
asthma treatments are taken using an inhaler, a small device that
delivers a spray or powder medicine to your breathing tubes as you
breathe in.
The main treatments are:-identifying and avoiding asthma triggers if possible
-reliever inhalers – inhalers used when needed to quickly relieve asthma symptoms for a short time
-preventer
inhalers – inhalers used regularly every day to reduce the inflammation
in the breathing tubes, which prevents asthma symptoms occurring
You’ll
usually draw up a personal action plan with your doctor or asthma
nurse. This will include information about your medicines, how to
monitor your condition and what to do if you have an asthma attack.
How long does asthma last?Asthma is a long-term condition for many people – particularly if it first develops in adulthood.
In children, it sometimes disappears or improves during the teenage years, although it can return later in life.
The
symptoms can usually be controlled with treatment and most people will
have normal and active lives, although some people with more severe
asthma may have persistent problems.
Complications of asthma
Although asthma can normally be kept under control, it’s still a serious condition that can cause a number of complications.
This is why it’s so important to follow your treatment plan and not ignore your symptoms if they’re getting worse.
Badly controlled asthma can cause issues such as:-persistent tiredness
-underperformance or absence from work or school
-psychological problems – including stress, anxiety and depression
-disruption of your work and leisure because of unexpected visits to your doctor or hospital
-lung infections (pneumonia)
-in children, delays in growth or puberty
-There’s also a risk of life-threatening complications, such as severe asthma attacks.
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