Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways to the lungs. It makes breathing hard and can make some physical activities challenging or even impossible.
To comprehend asthma, it’s essential to understand a little about what happens when you breathe. With every breath you take, air goes through your nose or mouth, down into your throat, and into your airways, eventually making it to your lungs.
Many tiny air passages in your lungs help deliver oxygen from the air into your bloodstream.
Symptoms
The most typical symptom of asthma is wheezing. This is a squealing or whistling sound that happens when you breathe.
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Other common asthma symptoms may include:
- Coughing, especially at night, when laughing, or during exercise
- Tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty talking
- Anxiousness or panicked feelings
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Rapid breathing
- Frequent infections
- Trouble sleeping
The kind of asthma that you have can determine which symptoms you experience.
Some people experience symptoms consistently throughout the day. Others may find that specific activity can make symptoms worse.
Signs of an asthma flare-up may include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Throat clearing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fatigue
If your symptoms decline or don’t improve with an inhaler, you should seek prompt medical treatment.
Call 911
If you or someone around you experiences symptoms of an asthma emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the closest emergency department.
Find Out Your Health History
Suppose you have family members with a breathing disorder; your risk increases. Alert your doctor to this genetic connection.
Get a Physical Exam
Your physician will listen to your breathing with a stethoscope. You may also be given a skin test to look for symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives or eczema. Allergies boost your risk for asthma.
Perform Breathing Tests
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) measure airflow into and out of your lungs. For the most standard test, spirometry, you blow into a device that measures the speed of the air.
Physicians don’t typically perform breathing tests in children under five because it’s challenging to get an accurate reading.
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Your physician will also need to specify the type of asthma you have. The most common type is allergic asthma, representing 60 percent of all cases of asthma.
Use a Combination of Quick-Relief and Long-Term Medications
The most recent asthma clinical guidelines released in 2020 by the NAEPP recommend this treatment. However, this treatment is not yet approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
Your physician will recommend one treatment or a combination of treatments based on:
- The type of asthma you have
- Your age
- Your asthma triggers
Your treatment plan may also involve learning your triggers, monitoring your symptoms carefully, and taking the steps to avoid flare-ups.
When to See a Doctor
At the moment, there’s no cure for asthma. Nevertheless, many effective treatments can decrease asthma symptoms. Lifestyle changes and medications can also help you improve your quality of life.
If you haven’t been diagnosed with asthma but are encountering wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath, you should let your doctor know.
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Once you’re diagnosed with asthma, you should see your physician at least once a year or more often if you have persistent symptoms after using treatments.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Feel weak
- Can’t perform daily activities
- Have a wheeze or cough that won’t go away
It’s essential to educate yourself about your condition and its symptoms. The more you know, the more proactive you can be in improving your lung function and how you feel.
