Asthma is a chronic, long-term condition that causes the lungs to become inflamed and airways to become constricted. It interferes with normal breathing and causes symptoms that can make breathing difficult. There are several forms of asthma and each has their own cause and triggers. Asthma can be classified by its levels of severity and can range from mild to severe. Asthma symptoms affect approximately 1 in 12 people in America and is the most common chronic childhood illness. While asthma can be life-threatening, it can be controlled with medication.
Causes of Asthma
The specific causes of asthma are not known but family genetics and environmental factors, such as exposure to secondhand smoke and air pollution, are believed to play a factor. An asthma attack can be caused by the following:
- An allergy to pollen or animal dander
- A respiratory infection
- Exposure to cold air
- Physical activity
- An allergy to food
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Air pollution
Symptoms of Asthma
Asthma symptoms vary with each person. Sometimes an attack may occur infrequently, other times it occurs when exercising, or it may occur on a regular basis. Some of the symptoms of asthma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Coughing
- Wheezing or a whistling sound when exhaling
- Trouble sleeping due to shortness of breath
Types of Asthma
Asthma symptoms can occur in certain situations and is classified as follows:
Exercise-induced asthma.
An asthma attack typically occurs when the air is cold and dryOccupational asthma
An asthma attack that is triggered by workplace irritants such as fumes, gases, or dustAllergy-induced asthma
An asthma attack that can be triggered by the environment such as pollen, mold spores, and pet dander as well as other substanceTreatment of Asthma
Asthma can be managed with long-term medications that help prevent attacks and treat symptoms. Medications can include inhalers as well as oral medications. When triggers are recognized patients can usually avoid them or be prepared to treat their symptoms when they occur. Dr. Ogden can create an asthma treatment plan which can include steps to prevent and manage an asthma attack. Seek immediate medical treatment if coughing or shortness of breath persists or gets worse.
