Asthma is a respiratory tract condition in which the person has difficulty breathing. It is an immune system-mediated response. When your immune system senses anything foreign in your body, it has its own mechanism to fight it off. It does that by triggering an immune response. Therefore when an allergen enters your body, it activates your immune system. To get rid of the allergen, the immune system releases chemicals and substances that cause inflammation in your body. They cause asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, post nasal drip, wheezing, and respiratory tract congestion.
Asthma may not be the same for all. It varies in severity. To some people, it might cause a few symptoms. But to some, it might be severe. You might recover in some minutes or hours. But sometimes, you might need to get hospitalized to get treated for it. In some cases, two to three puffs of a reliever inhaler can relieve the condition. But in some cases, you might need injectables, back-to-back nebulizations, and a hospital stay. Therefore asthma varies from person to person.
If you have asthma, you must visit the healthcare provider for regular check-ups. They will evaluate your health and change medications accordingly. In many cases, you need to take a preventive inhaler for a long time. Even if you feel well, please do not stop taking medication on your own. If you feel better, it is better to visit the healthcare provider so that they can evaluate your health and then make changes to the prescription. If you stop taking an inhaler on your own, the chances are high that your asthma may exacerbate. Therefore you should consult with a healthcare provider before you stop the inhaler. To get an expert opinion, you can consult the Best Pulmonologist in Lahore.
What Are The Causes And Triggers Of Asthma?
Asthma occurs due to exposure to triggers. The allergen or trigger can be anything, such as dust, mites, pollens, animal dander, humid environment, cold weather, and others.
Asthma is common in children but often shows up more as you reach adolescence. Asthma may not show symptoms in the growing stage and can occur as you reach adulthood.
The common factors for asthma can be:
Genetics
If your parents or siblings have asthma, you can also have it. Asthma can occur due to genetic predisposition.
History Of Viral Infection
Some people who have a history of viral infection may develop asthma symptoms later on. People who have had a respiratory syncytial virus in childhood may get asthma later in their life.
Hygiene Hypothesis
According to some experts, babies who are kept in ultra-safe and hygienic environments and are not exposed to bacteria and viruses can not fight off asthma and allergy symptoms. It happens because the immune system does not get used to the allergens.
Triggers
The cause of asthma is exposure to triggers. They can vary from person to person. Some people might be highly sensitive to the action of triggers, while some may be less.
The common triggers of asthma are:
- Health conditions such as respiratory tract infections
- Exposure to environmental irritants and chemicals
- Strong odors such as paints and nail polishes
- Intense emotions
- Strong weather conditions
- Pests and mites
- Taking certain medicines such as beta-blockers (especially propranolol) and NSAIDs or aspirin
Diagnosis
To diagnose asthma, your healthcare provider will take your medical and drug history. Along with that, they will perform a physical examination by placing a stethoscope on your chest. Moreover, they might also order a pulmonary function test also known as PFT, along with spirometry to get done.
The diagnosis of asthma is simple and not time taking. Make sure you tell the healthcare provider about all the health conditions you have and the medicines you take.
The Bottom Line
Asthma is a lifelong condition. Therefore you need to learn more and more about it and have to take more care of yourself. The asthma symptoms might show up at any stage of your life.
If you are diagnosed with asthma, you need to visit the healthcare provider frequently. To get an expert opinion, you can consult a pulmonologist in Iqra Medical Complex.
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