Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways that can lead to narrowing and also inflammation of the airway. The most common symptoms of asthma include wheezing due to the narrowing of the upper respiratory passages, shortness of breath, and coughing.
An asthma attack can affect the respiratory tract in various ways, which results in inflammation and hyper-reactivity to several factors related to allergies, exercise, infections, pollution, cold, and even stress. Thus, asthma isn't just one thing, but many different symptoms that can go away without treatment.
Treating asthma requires identifying the specific trigger, then taking appropriate action. In most cases, this means using medication to open airways and calm inflammation. Some asthma triggers are obvious. If you have allergies, you'll probably notice an asthma attack triggered by pollen or other allergens.
Other triggers are harder to identify. Asthma attacks can be set off by exercise, for example. If you experience asthma attacks after exercising, learn to recognize when your symptoms begin and take your medicine before they get worse.
You can also suffer an unexpected reaction to a trigger you didn't know was dangerous for you. For example, some people with asthma develop lung problems when they catch a cold. The common cold virus is not unique to people with asthma — anyone can catch one. But if you have asthma, it may cause wheezing and severe chest tightness that lead to an attack.
Each type of trigger requires its own treatment approach. To prevent an attack brought on by exercise, for instance, use your inhaler or treatments such as bronchodilators and steroids and certain kinds of physical therapy.
If you are allergic to something in the air, like pollen, mold spores, or animal dander, then you may have an asthma attack. When this happens, your airways swell and tighten your lungs fill with mucus.
Treatments for allergies include avoiding pollen at all times of the year and not allowing animals in the house. Treatments also include allergy shots and medications from your doctor. If you are not allergic to anything, then you do not need to worry about asthma attacks caused by allergens. However, if you think you might be allergic to something, then it is a good idea to get checked out by your doctor to find out more.
When an allergen enters the body, it causes an immune system response. The immune system responds by making antibodies that try to fight off the allergen. The immune system reaction leads to swelling in the airways and a release of chemicals that make it hard for air to pass through.
If these chemicals reach levels that are too high (this level is called a "threshold" or "trigger"), then they may cause an asthma attack.
There are different kinds of smoke, and each one will affect your asthma differently. If you or someone you know has asthma, it is important to know the sources and types of smoke that can trigger an asthma attack. The more you know, the better you can avoid it.
Smoke from fireplaces, wood stoves, and fire pits can damage the airways and lungs. If you have asthma, stay away from secondhand smoke: cigarette smoke, cigars, and pipes. Smoke from cooking on a stove or campfire may irritate your lungs.
The best way to avoid smoke is to stay away from fires whenever possible and keep your windows closed when you are in a smoky area. However, if you are exposed to smoke and start to feel shortness of breath or wheezing, follow these steps:
• Get away from the source of smoke as soon as possible.
• Take your rescue inhaler (albuterol) as prescribed by your doctor.
Allergy proofing is done in order to make the environment more comfortable for allergy sufferers. Sometimes allergens are present in the air and cannot be seen. Sometimes, allergens like dust mites may be brought inside on shoes or clothing.
Create a vacuum-free home. Vacuuming may stir up allergen and dust particles in the air, so limit this activity to allergy season. You may even want to consider not using a vacuum at all. Limit cleaning chemicals.
Use only what you need for specific jobs and ventilate the area well after cleaning. And wash clothes thoroughly if you use chemicals on them. Wash pets frequently, and use pet cleaning products that don't require rinsing.
Change filters regularly on furnaces and air conditioners, but leave bathroom fans off when you remember. Reduce moisture in the home by using dehumidifiers if necessary. Reduce dust by using exhaust fans with the bathroom and kitchen doors closed, running ceiling fans in bedrooms with the windows open, and using mattress covers on beds.
Choose low-pile carpeting that is easy to clean or install vinyl flooring instead of carpeting to reduce the tracking of allergens throughout your home. Check pillows for evidence of mites before placing pillows back on beds and also check mattresses for stains or rips which can harbor mites and dust mites.
Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a type of treatment that can help treat and prevent allergic reactions. The shots work on desensitizing an individual who suffers from allergies to the allergen they are allergic to. Often, the best way to treat allergies is by receiving allergy shots every day or every week over a period of several months or years.
Immunotherapy works by increasing the tolerance levels of an individual's immune system so that they can live without experiencing any allergic symptoms. The shots are given on a regular basis in order to increase the amount of allergen exposure in order to allow the body's immune system time to start producing its own antibodies against the allergen.
These injections help to slowly destroy the immune system's sensitivity to these allergens. In time, the immune system will not react adversely when exposed to these allergens and will treat them like any other type of protein.
Asthma can be a scary ordeal. It’s difficult to control what triggers an attack, and some people can be so sensitive that nearly every day can trigger one. If you or your child has asthma, it’s important to know how to prevent these attacks from occurring. The above tips will give you an idea of what you can do to prevent future attacks from happening.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.