Asthma
.webp "Asthma: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment")
|
| Asthma: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment |
Types of Asthma
Asthma Causes
What is the physiology of asthma?
Asthma Symptoms
Diagnosis of Asthma
Asthma Treatment
Alternative Medicine Treatments
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic allergic respiratory disease and is one of the most common diseases in children. It is characterized by the narrowing of the airways and increased mucus secretion, along with muscle contraction and constriction of the bronchial tubes, causing breathing difficulty with wheezing and recurrent cough. These asthma symptoms worsen at night, in the early morning, or with any exertion. Asthma symptoms occur when the lining of the airways swells and the surrounding muscles constrict, filling the air passage with mucus, reducing the amount of air that can pass through, leading to an asthma attack, characterized by coughing and chest tightness.
Types of Asthma
Asthma is classified by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
into:
Allergic Asthma:
This is the most common type of asthma, often seasonal due to exposure to
seasonal allergens, including:
- Pet dander from cats and dogs.
- Certain types of food.
- Pollen.
- Dust mites.
Non-Allergic Asthma:
This type of asthma is caused by irritants in the air unrelated to allergies,
including:
- Wood smoke.
- Cigarette smoke (tobacco smoke).
- Cold air.
- Air pollution.
- Viral illnesses.
- Household cleaning products.
- Perfumes.
Occupational Asthma:
Occupational asthma is a type of asthma caused by triggers in the
workplace, including:
- Dust.
- Dyes.
- Gases and fumes.
- Industrial chemicals.
- Animal proteins.
- Rubber.
Exercise-Induced Asthma:
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction typically affects individuals within a few minutes of starting exercise, and can last for up to 10 to 15 minutes after physical activity.
Aspirin-Induced Asthma:
Aspirin-induced asthma, also known as aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, usually occurs as a result of taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Symptoms may start within minutes or hours, and individuals with this sort of asthma typically suffer from nasal congestion.
Nocturnal Asthma:
Symptoms worsen in this type of asthma during the night, and triggers
that can cause nocturnal symptoms include:
- - Gastroesophageal reflux.
- - Pet dander.
- - Dust mites.
- - The body's natural sleep cycle can also contribute to nocturnal asthma.
Asthma
The direct cause of asthma is still unknown, but it is attributed to some
genetic and environmental factors that may lead to asthma. The
causes of asthma include the following:
Asthma often begins during childhood when your immune system is still
developing. Multiple factors may work together to bring this about, such
as:
- Environmental factors: which may include cigarette smoke or certain germs.
- Viral infections affecting the respiratory system.
- Family history, such as a parent having asthma, especially the mother.
- Allergies: Asthma is a sort of allergy, and individuals with asthma often suffer from other sorts of allergies, such as food or pollen.
- Obesity: Obesity can increase the risk of developing asthma or exacerbate asthma symptoms.
- Ethnicity: African Americans and Puerto Ricans are more prone to asthma than individuals from other races or ethnicities.
- Gender: Males are more likely to develop asthma during childhood than females, while asthma is more common among women in their teenage and adult years.
- Occupational hazards: Inhaling chemical substances or industrial dust at the workplace can increase the risk of developing asthma.
What is the physiology of asthma?
Asthma attacks arise from spasmodic contractions that occur in the airways due to irritation from a substance that stimulates their mucous membrane sensitivity. The substances that can trigger this sensitivity are diverse, including those that enter the body, such as toxins from mold foci in the mouth, nose, throat, and others, or those that come from outside the body, such as the scents of certain flowers, the hair of some animals, or their feathers and fur, as well as various dust and certain foods.
The sort of substance that triggers the sensitivity and causes the appearance of asthma symptoms can be identified through specific tests conducted by injecting the suspected substance into the skin. Once the nature of this substance is known, it can be avoided, or the patient's body can be immunized against it by injecting it. Prolonged exposure to this disease is exacerbated by the delayed removal of nasal and throat polyps and chronic bronchitis.
Asthma
Some asthma symptoms may be mild and disappear with treatment, while others
may be severe. The most important symptoms of asthma in adults include:
- Coughing, especially at night or during exercise.
- Chest tightness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Difficulty speaking.
- Anxiety or tension.
- Severe fatigue and exhaustion.
- Chest pain.
- Rapid breathing.
- Recurrent infections.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Wheezing.
Some serious signs of asthma may also appear that require immediate medical
consultation, including the following:
- Severe difficulty in breathing.
- Gasping for air.
- Confusion.
- Paleness of the lips or nails.
- Dizziness.
- Difficulty walking or talking.
- Blue lips or nails.
Diagnosis of Asthma
When diagnosing asthma, the patient's medical and family history is considered, along with several tests as outlined below:
- Medical history: This includes the symptoms of asthma, their severity, daily triggers, stage of the disease, sort of asthma attack, the asthma therapy used, its effectiveness, as well as environmental and living conditions.
- Family history: Previous occurrence of allergic diseases in the patient and family members.
- Clinical examination: It involves examining the upper respiratory tract, throat, lungs, and skin to confirm the nature of the patient's condition, check for wheezing, and detect any other allergic conditions.
- Diagnostic and laboratory tests, including:
- Pulmonary function tests.
- Assessment of respiratory quality, conducted before and after bronchodilator use.
- Chest X-ray.
- Complete blood count.
- Allergy testing (if there is a family history).
- Sputum and nasal smear examination to assess immune cells in case of suspected allergy.
Tips for Living with Asthma
It is advisable for asthma patients to follow the instructions below to alleviate and manage the condition:
- Regularly follow up with a healthcare provider to continuously assess the condition and prevent asthma attack that may require hospitalization.
- Adherence to asthma medications.
- Avoid exposure to asthma triggers or factors that worsen it.
- Avoid smoking.
- Stay away from enclosed spaces and avoid outdoor activities during the spring pollen season.
- Receive seasonal influenza vaccination to reduce the severity of flu infection.
Complications of Asthma
Asthma can lead to several complications, including:
- Premature birth or low birth weight.
- Permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes.
- Lung collapse.
- Respiratory arrest.
Asthma Treatment
What is the treatment of asthma?
Asthma is considered a chronic disease for which there is no cure. Therefore,
the focus of treatment is on managing the apparent symptoms of asthma in the
patient. Among the most important medications and therapies used to treat
asthma and alleviate its symptoms are:
Bronchodilators, including fast-acting beta-agonists such as albuterol. It is
worth noting that there are many sorts of bronchodilators, some of which are
used continuously and others are used as needed, i.e., when
asthma symptoms appear. Additionally, some bronchodilators may contain
only beta-agonists, while others may also contain corticosteroids.
Theophylline as a bronchodilator.
Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as cortisone, which are available in the form of a symbicort inhaler, trelegy inhaler or administered intravenously.
Anticholinergics, such as ipratropium bromide.
Immunomodulators, such as omalizumab.
Allergy medications for treating asthma attack.
Expectorants for treating asthma cough.
Antibodies: Antibodies are administered if specific asthma triggers have been
identified.
As for severe asthma cases, they should be treated in the hospital to monitor
blood oxygen levels and prevent serious complications.
nucala side effects
Alternative Medicine Treatments:
Ephedra:
This herb contains the substances ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, both of which
have a very effective impact as bronchodilators and decongestants for the
respiratory mucous membranes, with a stimulating effect on the central nervous
system. It is recommended to add a very small spoonful of the dried herb to a
cup of boiling water and drink the beverage twice a day. Note: This herb has
stimulating properties and some side effects such as insomnia, tension, and
anxiety, so it should be used with caution. If it leads to undesirable
symptoms, discontinue use.
Stinging Nettle:
A beverage prepared from the roots or leaves of stinging nettle is a safe and
effective treatment that opens the respiratory passages and is a good remedy
for asthma. Stinging nettle contains antihistamines that treat allergy-induced
asthma. Add a spoonful of bee honey to a spoonful of the dried herb (roots or
leaves), pour a cup of boiling water over it, and drink three cups a
day.
Tomato:
The fruits and leaves of the tomato help prevent asthma attacks by preventing
the contraction of the airways (the main cause of asthma symptoms) due to
their high content of vitamin C, which inhibits histamine secretion. They also
contain flavonoids, which soothe allergy symptoms that can cause asthma and
act as antihistamines. Tomatoes help prevent respiratory infections and
alleviate nasal congestion. Blend the tomatoes to produce tomato juice, add a
little lemon juice, and drink before meals.
Ginkgo :
The extract of Ginkgo leaves is used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, various sort of cough with phlegm, and chest sensitivity. Ginkgo works by increasing blood flow in the tiny blood vessels, thereby delivering active substances to the blood. It also inhibits platelet-activating factor, a blood protein that plays a role in airway contraction, leading to asthma attacks. Concentration of ginkgolides is significantly reduced, allowing for the preparation of a drink from approximately fifty leaves of the herb in three cups, to be consumed in the morning, afternoon, and evening, or the herb extract can be used. Shop Ginkgo Products on Amazon.
tezepelumab mepolizumab xolair
Licorice:
Licorice syrup soothes the throat and is recommended for treating cough, asthma, upper respiratory tract infections, and throat inflammations. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract (DGLE) obtained from the stems, roots, and leaves of licorice is used, as the whole herb may cause lethargy and drowsiness, and in large quantities, it may lead to urinary retention and high blood pressure. Shop Licorice Products on Amazon.
Anise:
Anise contains beneficial chemical substances for the treatment of asthma and
other respiratory diseases, such as creosol and alpha-pinene, compounds that
help dissolve airway secretions, reduce their viscosity, and thus prevent the
exhaustion of the lined airway passages and the sensitivity to their contents.
It also maintains the lining of the airways.