Asthma is a common chronic condition affecting millions worldwide. You likely know someone who has asthma, or maybe you have it yourself. Asthma can vary in severity and is different from person to person. Having asthma can put you at risk for health complications especially if you have other health concerns. Here’s what we know about asthma:
What is asthma?
Asthma occurs when the airways in your lungs are constricted and inflamed. This makes it harder for air to pass through. Asthma can have many causes. It can run in your family. You may develop asthma after severe illness or exposure to harmful chemicals. For some, asthma symptoms can start after exposure to common allergens like mold and dander. Some people are diagnosed with asthma when they are children. Others develop adult-onset asthma later in life. It’s important to note that asthma can appear at any age.
There are people with asthma who don’t know they have it. This is because for some, symptoms can be so mild that they barely notice them. Not all people with asthma experience coughing and wheezing, for example. Wheezing is when your airway is partially blocked and your breaths make a whistling sound. You may experience at least one of the following symptoms if you have asthma:
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
When you have asthma, you may not feel your symptoms all the time. In fact, most people with asthma get flare-ups in between periods of normal breathing. Flare-ups can occur because of triggers. Triggers are things in your lifestyle or environment that make your symptoms worse. In severe cases, people may have asthma attacks. Asthma attacks are when symptoms get so severe, they disrupt your normal level of activity. Take asthma attacks seriously and treat them immediately with a rescue inhaler.
In rare cases, you may need further medical attention. While not very common, asthma attacks can be fatal. If your rescue inhaler does not provide relief, go to the ER. After you receive care and recover, talk to your doctor about adjusting your asthma routine.
Here are some common triggers for flare-ups and attacks:
- Allergies
- Strong smells
- Cold dry air
- Smoke
- Chemicals
- High humidity
- Pollen
- Exercise
- Acid reflux
- Sinus infections
Why is managing asthma important?
Unmanaged asthma can impact your quality of life. If exercise is one of your triggers, symptoms can keep you from staying active and fit. Asthma symptoms can even raise your blood pressure. If you have hypertension and unmanaged asthma, this can be a problem. People with asthma may get more severe symptoms when they have viral illnesses like the flu or COVID-19. Unmanaged asthma can damage your lungs over time. This can increase your risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Luckily, there are many treatments to help you keep your asthma under control. Here are a few:
Rescue inhaler – to treat symptoms as they occur. A common inhaled rescue medication is albuterol. Albuterol relaxes your airways, allowing you to breathe more freely.
Maintenance inhaler – often used once or twice a day to help prevent symptoms before they occur. It’s common for maintenance inhalers to include inhaled steroids. These work by reducing inflammation in the airways.
Oral medications – often taken daily, there are many oral medications that work in different ways. Talk to a doctor about which ones might work best for you.
Allergy medication – if allergies are your main asthma trigger, you may be prescribed allergy medications.
Nebulizer – for more severe asthma, you may need a nebulizer machine. Nebulizers create a mist that you inhale to receive medications, like albuterol. Dosage and timing can vary from person to person. Some people use one daily, throughout the day. Others use it as needed. Your doctor will help you determine what works best for you.
Injections – injections can help people with severe or poorly controlled asthma. There are many injections that work differently to help manage asthma symptoms. Talk to your doctor about which one might be right for you.
It’s normal for doctors to recommend multiple treatments. Everyone’s treatment plan is unique to them. These treatments work together to keep your lungs healthy.
You can also adjust your lifestyle to help manage your asthma.
Avoid triggers – adjust your diet to avoid foods that cause acid reflux. Consider allergy medication during allergy season. Everyone’s triggers are different. Know yours and anticipate managing them. Avoid them when possible.
Stop smoking – smoking can cause inflammation and damage to your airways. If you have asthma, this can add to existing inflammation and damage. This can worsen your symptoms.
Maintain a healthy weight – studies show that when you get to a healthy weight, your asthma symptoms can improve by 48-100%.
Stay on your medication schedule – if you have an asthma maintenance routine, stick to it. Set alarms for medications and maintenance inhalers. Carry your rescue inhaler with you.
Get plenty of exercise – regular exercise can increase your lung capacity. It also increases blood flow to the lungs. If exercise is one of your triggers, talk to your doctor about ways to manage this. They may suggest you use your rescue inhaler 15 minutes before you work out. They might also recommend low-intensity workouts.
Watch the air quality for your area – if there’s an air quality alert, limit your time outside. Consider getting an air purifier or installing strong air filters inside your home.
Get vaccinated – asthma puts you at higher risk for complications from viruses like the flu and COVID-19. You could also be at higher risk for complications from pneumonia. Vaccinations will help you strengthen your defenses and lower your risk of getting severely ill. Adults with asthma should get vaccinated for pneumonia once. Get vaccinated for seasonal viruses like the flu and COVID-19 every year.