What is Asthma? What should you know about it?

This is a condition that can make it hard to breathe. Asthma symptoms can be mild or severe. They can come and go. An asthma “attack” is when symptoms start suddenly. This happens when the airways in the lungs become more narrow and inflamed.

Asthma can run in families.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma symptoms can include:

  Wheezing or noisy breathing

  Coughing

  Tight feeling in the chest

  Shortness of breath

Symptoms can happen each day, each week, or less often. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Although it is rare, an asthma attack can sometimes even lead to death.

What happens when I visit the doctor?

Your doctor will take a detailed history about your symptoms and you will have a complete physical examination.

Doctor will do some tests which include Blood test to look for allergic cells in blood (Eosinophils) and you have to do a breathing tests ( Pulmonary Function Tests ) to check how your lungs are working and if you have a specific inflammation in your airways.

If your doctor thinks allergies might be making your asthma worse, they might suggest allergy testing. This can include skin tests or blood tests.

Other tests sometime done include CT scan of Chest, CT of Nose and Sinuses. 

How is asthma treated?

Asthma is treated with different types of medicines. The medicines can come as inhalers, nebulizations, pills, or shots. Your doctor will prescribe medicine based on how often you have symptoms and how serious they are. 

Inhalers are the main treatment for Asthma. There are different inhalers with different combinations. Some work slow, some fast and some work for short times and some longer.

Some medicines can work as both a controller medicine and a quick-relief medicine.

It is very important to take all the medicines your doctor prescribes, exactly how you are supposed to take them. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will show you the right way to use your inhaler(s).

If your symptoms get much worse all of a sudden, use your quick-relief medicine and contact your doctor or nurse. You might need to go to the hospital for treatment.

What is an asthma action plan?

This is a list of instructions that tell you:

  Which medicines to use each day at home

  Which medicines to take if your symptoms get worse

  When to get help or call for an ambulance

If you have frequent or severe asthma symptoms, your doctor might suggest you have an asthma action plan. If so, you and your doctor will work together to make one.

How can I prevent asthma symptoms?

There are things you can do to help prevent asthma attacks. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about what is most important for you.

In general, you can:

  Avoid “triggers” – These are things that make your symptoms worse. Common triggers include smoke, air pollution, dust, mold, pollen, strong chemicals or smells, and very cold or dry air. For some people, being around certain animals can trigger symptoms. Exercise and stress can also be triggers.

Some adults with asthma have worse symptoms if they take aspirin or medicines called NSAIDs. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (sample brand names: Aleve, Naprosyn). Ask your doctor if you need to avoid these.

Lower your risk of getting sick – Some infections can make asthma symptoms worse. These include the common cold, the flu, and COVID-19. 

It’s important to get the vaccines such as Pneumococcal and Flu vaccine.

Make sure you know how and when to take your medicines – If you take controller medicines, follow all instructions to help prevent symptoms. You should also make sure you know how and when to use your quick-relief medicine.

See your doctor or nurse regularly. At these appointments, they will ask about your symptoms, check how well your lungs are working, and talk about your treatment plan.

What if I want to get pregnant?

Talk to your doctor about how to control your asthma. Keeping your asthma well controlled is important for the health of your baby. Most asthma medicines are safe to take during pregnancy.

When should I go to Emergency?

  Call for an ambulance if you have severe symptoms like:

  You have so much trouble breathing you cannot talk.

  Your lips or fingernails turn gray or blue.

When should I go to Doctor?

  Have an asthma attack and the symptoms do not improve, or get worse, after using a quick-relief medicine

  Need to use your quick-relief medicine more than a few times a week

  Cannot do your normal activities because of your asthma symptoms

Have any questions about your medicines