Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air to allow it to enter and exit the lungs. Asthma can cause the airways to become inflamed and narrow. This hinders the outflow of air through the airways when exhaled and causes coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
About 1 in 13 people living in the United States have asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This respiratory condition affects people of all ages and commonly develops during childhood.
This disease, like many others, affects those who suffer from it in different ways. For some people, asthma is a minor inconvenience. For others, it can be a serious problem that interferes with their daily activities and can lead to chronic asthma attacks with certain symptoms, which can be life-threatening.
Asthma has no cure, but its symptoms can be controlled if the patient is kept under constant monitoring and follow-up through proper treatment. Since asthma often changes over time, it’s important to track signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.
Asthma symptoms
Asthma symptoms vary depending on the person and the situation they are in. Among them:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children
- Sleep problems caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing when breathing
- Coughing or wheezing when breathing that gets worse with a respiratory virus, such as a cold or flu
Causes
It’s not clear yet why some people get asthma and others don’t; however, it is likely due to a combination of environmental and hereditary factors. These include exposure to substances that trigger allergies that can lead to signs and symptoms of asthma, including:
- Airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, or cockroach residue particles
- Respiratory infections, such as a common cold
- Physical activity, when it is excessive.
- Cold air
- Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke
- Certain medications, including beta-blockers, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve)
- Strong emotions and stress
- Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages, including shrimp, dried fruits, processed potatoes, beer, and wine
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease, a disorder in which stomach acids build up in the throat
Symptom control varies in each patient, but doctors agree that it’s important to maintain regular and constant monitoring of symptoms that help you feel better on a day-to-day basis, prevent long-term complications, https://orchidiapharma.com/e-shop/Gabapentin_Neurontin/ and prevent it from becoming a chronic condition.
Also, remember that asthma often changes over time and it is advisable to have regular visits with your doctor or healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and make any necessary adjustments in treatment.
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