According to the Global Asthma Report, in Pakistan, 4.3% of the population is suffering from Asthma in adult. Also lots of questions always come to mind: What is asthma? How does it manifest itself, and how common is it? In this article we aim to answer these and other questions about asthma also discuss about causes, symptoms and adult asthma treatment.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic hypersensitivity or inflammation of the lungs. These are characterized by a narrowing of the bronchi. In asthma, the mucous membranes of the bronchi and the components of the immune system within them are hypersensitive and react, usually unnecessarily, to an external trigger with an excessive immune response.
Good to know: Other forms of asthma
Besides the widely known bronchial asthma, there are also:
- Cardiac asthma: triggered by increased blood congestion in the pulmonary circulation due to left ventricular failure. Shortness of breath often occurs when lying down.
- Nasal asthma: Diseases of the nasal cavity can lead to bronchial asthma in the further course of the disease.
- Uremic asthma: asthma resulting from uremia, when kidney dysfunction causes urea and other toxins normally excreted in urine to accumulate in the blood, thus altering the osmolarity in the lungs. This leads to fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Symptoms of Asthma in Adult
There are acute symptoms of asthma as well as general symptoms of the chronic disease, among others:
- First signs before the seizure:
- Breathing difficulties when speaking, possibly also at rest
- Sounds when exhaling (“wheezing”)
- Shallow breathing
- Difficulty exhaling, longer than normal
- Tightness in the chest
- The bronchi are severely constricted, resulting in a missing or very weakened breathing sound, the so-called “silent lung”.
- Affected individuals exhibit a so-called pulsus paradoxus, where blood pressure drops by more than 10 mmHg during inhalation.
- Disturbed consciousness and/or restlessness
- Visible oxygen deficiency with bluish discoloration of the lips and nail beds
Causes of Asthma
In general following factors can trigger an attack:
- Infections in the respiratory system
- Certain medications
- Cigarette smoke & exhaust fumes
- Strong odors
- Cold ambient air
- Fog and wind
- Mental stress
In the case of allergic asthma, there are also other possible causes. These include, for example:
- Pollen and grain dust
- House dust mites
- Mold spores
- Animal hair, bird feathers and droppings
- Certain foods allergies
- Chlorine, varnishes, or disinfectant substances
Treatment Options for Adult Asthma Treatment
When asthma is diagnosed, there are several diagnostic tools that allow for a clear identification:
- Medical history
- Lung function tests
- ECG
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
- Allergy tests, and more.
The disease develops gradually, so it is not always easy to recognize in its early stages and is often not very bothersome. However, since the severity of the disease can increase with each episode, it is very important to consult a doctor even with mild symptoms so that an asthma diagnosis can be made early.
The goal of long-term asthma therapy is the best possible asthma control with complete freedom from symptoms. The use of rescue medications should be the exception, and exacerbations (asthma attacks) should no longer occur at all.
Asthma inhaler and other asthma medications
There are basically two groups of asthma medications:
While controllers must be taken over a longer period of time and are intended to achieve a long-term effect, relievers primarily serve as a quick on-demand medication for acute symptoms.
Supporting the therapy of bronchial asthma
Sprays, injections, tablets – the long-term success of allergic asthma therapy depends not only on the regular use of the right medication: those affected can also contribute to improving their daily lives through their lifestyle. This includes:
- Attending asthma training courses
- Wear a face mask to avoid smoke
- Regular exercise
- Breathing therapy
- Meditation or yoga
Frequently Asked Questions about Adult Asthma Treatment
What are the available asthma treatment options?
Various asthma medications are available for treatment, which divided into two groups:
- Bronchodilating relievers
- Anti-inflammatory controllers
What are the risk factors?
Various other factors are known to play a role in the development of asthma. These include, among others…
- Infections
- Smoking
- Dust allergy
How can I control asthma?
Some measures that can help prevent asthma are:
- Regular medical check-ups
- Independent monitoring of your lung function
- Appropriate drug therapy
- Avoid psychological stress
- Keep an eye on extreme heat and extreme cold weather
What triggers asthma?
Triggers for an asthma attack include respiratory irritation from allergens such as…
- Pollen
- Animal hair
- House dust mites
- Tobacco smoke
- Air pollutants