Asthma is a chronic bronchial disease that affects the respiratory system such that the tract experiences an inflammation that causes swelling. This in turn makes the respiratory tract narrow, limiting the passage of air. The limited air passage combined with the mucus produced leads to breathing difficulties. Below are the common symptoms of asthma.
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Breathing problems
Coughing occurs mostly in the morning or late into the night when the breeze is cold. That is why it is important for asthmatic people to keep warm and have their medication with them in such incidences. Environmental factors and genetics are the main causes of asthma. Air pollution and various allergens are the risk factors that could lead to asthma development.
When you experience the above-mentioned symptoms, it is important that you seek medical assistance for diagnosis. While avoiding the asthma triggers could help reduce its occurrence, medications can ease the condition. Reliever inhalers are also administered to minimize the asthma symptoms. Preventer inhalers, on the other hand, are used on a long-term basis to prevent the occurrence of asthma sensations.
This article summarizes the types of asthma experienced by a majority of the global population and the questions most individuals want answered.
Common Types of Asthma
1. Allergic Asthma
Various medical studies have concluded that allergies are directly related to asthma. Hayfever is the most common type of long-term allergy whose symptoms are more or less like those of asthma. When one is allergic to certain foods, animals, or experiences seasonal allergies, coughing, sneezing, and respiratory inflammation are some of the symptoms experienced. This happens when your immune system detects foreign substances that it identifies as allergens in the body. It in turn releases chemicals to counteract the presumed attack. That is why seeking help from a physician is crucial. The medication prescribed to you is a great way to subdue asthmatic attacks. Every prescription related to the management of allergic reactions follows a diagnosis that only occurs after a series of lab tests. This is because in some severe cases, allergic rhinitis can lead to the occurrence of asthma. If you are asthmatic, you should always avoid allergens like pollen, pet fur, mold etc. because they could cause allergic reactions in your body.
2. Exercise-induced Asthma
Some people tend to experience asthmatic symptoms like coughing, shortness in breath, and a tight chest after taking part in a physical fitness session or sporting activities. For this type of asthma to occur, you do not necessarily need to have had previous asthma cases. After about 10 minutes of continued exercising, you may have a narrow airway that causes breathing difficulties. If this occurs, you can seek medical assistance to determine whether you should take any medication to subdue the symptoms. In most cases, the physician will recommend that you take a bronchodilator, which you should inhale a few minutes before beginning your exercise session. Some medical experts argue that consuming about 2000mg of vitamin C prior to a physical fitness session could help relieve the asthma symptoms. It is also important to note that when exercising in a cold weather, you are at a higher risk of experiencing asthma symptoms. This is because the exertion tends to irritate your respiratory system.
3. Asthma with no allergy links
Asthma symptoms do not necessarily have to occur when you have allergies or related cases. For some people, asthma symptoms tend to be triggered by infections like flu or a cold. In most cases, the infections are limited to those that affect the upper part of your respiratory system. When such ailments occur, a physician might prescribe you an inhaler for about two weeks. It is important to avoid anything that may bring about these inflammations because you will not be able to inhale medication to ease the irritation. Nonetheless, you should know that not all cases of cold or flu lead to asthma symptoms. The weather is also a trigger of such ailments, making them common during winter.
4. Occupational Asthma
Some occupations are associated with the use of irritants that may in turn trigger the asthmatic symptoms. If, for instance, you work as a hairdresser, you will find yourself inhaling chemicals like chlorine. This causes an irritation in your airway leading to the production of mucus, sneezing, coughing, or wheezing. Working as an animal breeder also puts you at the risk of experiencing asthma symptoms, since you are exposed to lab animals like mice whose fur you may be allergic to. Farmers and painters are also exposed to various chemicals that cause irritation when inhaled. When working in such occupations, it is important to identify what triggers your asthma symptoms. If this proves difficult, you can seek medical treatment where an inhaler may be prescribed. The intake of substances rich in vitamin A will also come in handy in the reduction of mucus production.
5. Cough-variant Asthma
This type of asthma is characterized by a severe cough that occurs because of a respiratory tract inflammation. Like the other asthma types that are non-selective, this affects both children and adults. It is also timeless, implying that it can occur at night while you are asleep or in the day when you are awake and active. While inhalers are able to ease the asthma symptoms, it is advisable to increase your intake of vitamin D for better results. Cough variant asthma has been widely recorded in the northern hemisphere due to the lower sunlight levels and reduced vitamin D. When you have some respiratory infections or undertake a strenuous exercise, you increase your risk of experiencing this type of asthma. If the symptoms are persistent, be sure to visit a physician for a conclusive diagnosis.
6. Nocturnal Asthma
Nighttime asthma is also common because of the circadian rhythms that trigger it. When sleeping, the asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and breath shortness become severe as you undergo the sleep-wake cycle. Medical experts argue that nocturnal asthma is riskier than the daytime symptoms. As such, you need to ensure that your medication stays close and avoid all allergens or triggers that may affect your condition. Avoid all foods that increase your sensitivity to respiratory inflammation at night. Keep warm particularly during winter. If you experience nocturnal asthma and the personal medication does not work, make a point of rushing to a nearby GP to get immediate checkup.
FAQs about Asthma
Q: How can one minimize asthma attacks?
A: You should know that asthma is a chronic condition and all you can do is ease the symptoms through reduced occurrence. To do this, you need to reduce your exposure to asthma triggers and always take your medication as prescribed by the physician.
Q: How can I identify the allergies that trigger asthma?
A: If you cannot conduct a self-diagnosis to determine what triggers your allergies, you should consider making an appointment with an asthma specialist. He or she will carry out various lab tests to identify the specific allergens that affect you.
Q: Do asthma medications have negative effects on pregnant and breastfeeding mothers?
A: It is common for mothers to worry about their health and that of their babies. If you are taking any medication for your asthmatic condition, it is important that you consult your doctor prior to getting pregnant. If you are already pregnant, the doctor will help you keep your respiratory tract stabilized so that an asthma attack does not occur. This also applies to the breastfeeding mothers. It is important for breastfeeding mothers to note that they and their babies will face great risks if the asthma is uncontrolled.
Q: Does bronchodilator have any side effects?
A: Of course, all medications have certain side effects that you should understand before using them. In the case of a bronchodilator, the form of the medication determines the severity of the symptoms. The inhaled forms are less associated with side effects than the oral forms. Below are some of the side effects associated with bronchodilator.
- Feeling nervous
- Slight headaches
- Nippy heartbeats
Q: Will my medication cure asthma?
A: Asthma is incurable and medication is usually taken to help ease its symptoms. While you will find preventive medication, quick relievers are most common with severe asthma symptoms. Consult your doctor to determine the best medication for your asthma.
