Asthma

Description

Asthma or bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that is characterized by inflammation of the airway, increased mucus production, and contraction of smooth muscles of the airway (bronchospasm). Airway of patients with asthma become very sensitive and overreact to allergens.

Causes

Asthma is caused by certain triggers around the asthmatic patient, these are:

Allergens: pollen, dust, and spores
Infections such as common cold or flu
Physical activity or exercise
Smoke and sharp smell
Stressful situations
GERD (digestive disorder with reflux of stomach acid in esophagus).

Risk factors

Following factors include the risk of asthma:

Family history of asthma
Smoking
Smoking during pregnancy
Obesity
Exposure to pollution
Existing allergic condition

Symptoms

The characteristic symptom of asthma is This refers to a whistling sound that can be heard on breathing. Other signs and symptoms include:
Loss of breath, even with little activity.
Coughing that tends to get worse early in the morning, and at night. This may cause trouble sleeping.
Coughing with sputum may be the only sign present in the elderly.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask for your medical history and examine you especially your nose, throat, and your chest for any abnormal sounds. On presence of signs of asthma, your doctor will run pulmonary function tests to confirm the diagnosis. Following are the pulmonary function tests:

Spirometry: A common test to measure your ability to inhale and exhale.
Challenge test: After inducing a medicine that triggers asthma symptoms, doctor will measure your ability to inhale and exhale to confirm the diagnosis.
Peak flow meter tests: This test is used to measure how well your lungs are able to expel air out.
Exhaled nitric oxide test: This test is used to measure nitric oxide in your breath, this gas is produced more if your airways are inflamed.

Management

The main purpose of the treatment is to reduce the symptoms experienced, since there is no actual cure for asthma.Firstly, and most importantly, patients should try to identify the cause of the allergy and asthma, and try to avoid contact with it. Asthma attacks can also be prevented by:

Preventing exposure to pollen. This can be done by staying indoors in high pollen time. And by making sure your clothes are pollen free.
Avoid smoking and exposure to smoke.
Make sure your bedding and carpets are clean.
Avoid exposure to pets if that causes asthma attacks.

The medication to treat asthma relaxes the constricted muscles of the airways, to make breathing easier and to reduce the symptoms. These medicines are usually used as an inhaler.

For short term relief, short acting beta receptor agonists (salbutamol); and anticholinergic medicines such as ipratropium can be used.
For long term treatment, doctors may recommend corticosteroids, long acting beta adrenoreceptor agonist such as salmeterol, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or theophylline.
Your doctor may suggest medication, or a combination of medications that is appropriate for your symptoms.

When to consult a doctor?

A doctor should be consulted if the prescribed medication or combination of medications is not relieving your symptoms. A doctor should be consulted immediately if you experience