Know all about the causes and symptoms of asthma for better treatment
Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes spasms in the bronchi, resulting in trouble of breathing. Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions are often related to the condition, and 25.7 citizens in the country undergo this condition. Every year, approximately 439,000 people are admitted to hospital due to the severe condition related asthma.
Detection of asthma
If the child is under the age of 5, it is not an easy task to identify whether the child has developed the lung condition.
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing sound at the time of exhaling
While paying a visit to the doctor, one can be asked whether they cough a lot or have had trouble breathing while exercising. The doctor can prescribe medical tests and inquire further whether the wheezing sound while coughing lasted more than 10 days. Spirometry or a breathing test is prescribed to check whether the lungs are working fine.
Causes of asthma
The repressed causes of asthma are not widely known, but the genetic and environmental aspects need to be evaluated. If the patients are exposed to a certain environment containing viral infections can suffer from the lung condition at a tender age. The following causes of asthma are the most common.
- Stress
- Specific medicines such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and beta blockers
- Cold air
- Common cold
- Smoke and other pollutants
- GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Preservatives added foods and drinks
Hence, the causes and triggers for asthma include obesity, smoking, allergic conditions, and exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke. If the condition seems to be more severe, the patient needs to go to the emergency department of the hospital. UCSF Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Asthma & Allergy Center, Mayo Clinic, Chapel Hill NC and The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology are popular asthma clinics saving lives from decades.
Treatment
There is no specific cure for asthma and you can categorize it as a chronic condition but consultation with a doctor can help you to manage the condition. The objective of therapy is to free the patients from the symptoms and minimize the risks of further complication.
- The long-term medication is followed on a daily basis and minimizes the complications created by the symptoms. Inhaling corticosteroids is the common way of preventing the condition and decrease the chance of inflammation in the airway
- For treating acute asthma, there is a quick-relief medication that is inhaled for relaxing muscles; thereby, more air can pass through airways making the breathing process normal
People who follow long-term medications are required to visit the doctor regularly and let the healthcare professional assess how the treatment process is working out.