Asthma

Asthma: Understanding and Management

Asthma is a chronic (long-lasting) and non-communicable (not contagious) respiratory disease. It affects the airways in the lungs.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic (long-lasting) and non-communicable (not contagious) respiratory disease. It affects the airways in the lungs, causing:
Reversible airway obstruction and inflammation
Bronchial hypersensitivity (increased sensitivity in the airways)

Causes of Asthma

The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but several factors are likely involved:
Genetic predisposition: Asthma can run in families.
Environmental factors: Allergies (e.g., dust mites, pollen), Pollution (e.g., car fumes, cigarette smoke), Irritants (e.g., chemicals, strong smells)
Lung irritations from inhaled substances

Asthma Triggers

Triggers can be broadly categorized as visible (physical) and invisible (emotional/psychological).

Visible Triggers:

Household chemicals (e.g., insecticides, perfumes)
Kitchen smoke (e.g., from cooking with charcoal or wood)
Dust mites (in carpets, bedding)
Polluted environments (e.g., traffic fumes, cigarette smoke)
Strong-smelling paints
Pollen
Pet dander
Cold air
Infections
Poor ventilation

Invisible Triggers:

Emotional stress (e.g., at work, school, relationships, financial problems)

How Does Asthma Occur?

The airways in the lungs (bronchi and alveoli) have smooth muscles that help with breathing. In people with asthma, these muscles become irritated and inflamed. This narrowing of the airways makes breathing difficult, causing: Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Wheezing (a whistling sound during breathing)
If left untreated, a severe asthma attack (status asthmaticus) can occur, making it nearly impossible to breathe and requiring immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of Asthma

The main symptoms of asthma are: Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Wheezing
Cough (may or may not be present)
People with asthma may also have a runny nose and darkened areas of skin on the elbows and knees (atopic dermatitis) due to allergies.

Management of Asthma

A common mistake in managing asthma is relying solely on quick-relief inhalers (like salbutamol) or franol during an attack. A proper management plan considers various factors:
Understanding triggers: Identifying and avoiding triggers is crucial for preventing asthma attacks.
Frequency of attacks: Knowing how often attacks occur (daily, weekly, nightly) helps determine the severity and appropriate treatment options.
There are two main approaches to asthma management:
Non-pharmacological: Avoiding triggers, stress management, and proper breathing techniques.
Pharmacological: Using medications to control inflammation and prevent attacks (inhalers, steroids). during an attack.