How to Prevent Asthmatic Attacks
Asthma is part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The pathology of asthma includes inflammation of the airways which makes them become narrow and limit normal breathing. Persons with asthma also produce excess mucus from their airways. The combination of these factors will make you have difficulties in breathing, which can make you cough or wheeze when you are breathing.
The severity of asthma varies in different people. Some people only have a mild form of asthma while others get severe, life-threatening attacks. There is no permanent cure for asthma but you can live comfortably with the condition when you are on treatment and implement lifestyle changes. When you visit Kalpana Desai MD, she will take your medical history and do a physical examination which will help to choose the best management for your condition.
What Causes Asthma?
The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but environmental and genetic factors are thought to contribute to the development of asthma. Some allergens can trigger the symptoms of asthma, including airborne allergens like pollen and dust mites. Getting infections of the respiratory system like common colds can also cause asthma.
Fatigue that occurs after doing vigorous physical activity can also put you at risk of developing asthma. Some people also get an asthmatic attack after they are exposed to cold weather or other irritants like smoke. When you are stressed or have strong emotions, you are at risk of getting an asthmatic attack. Some medications can trigger asthma including NSAIDs and beta-blockers.
The risk factors of asthma include having a genetic predisposition to asthma where a first degree relative, like a parent or sibling, has asthma. People who have other allergies, like atopic dermatitis and hay fever, have a high risk of getting asthma. Your risk of getting asthma also increases if you are a smoker, and more so if you inhale second-hand smoke, which is very toxic.
If you are exposed to toxic fumes and other pollutants at your workplace, you may be at risk of developing asthma. There is also a relation between being overweight and the risk of getting asthma. Some of the complications of asthma include poor performance at work and school when you have asthmatic attacks, sleep disruption, and having to use medications for a long duration.
How to Prevent Asthmatic Attacks
One of the most effective ways to prevent an asthmatic attack is to adhere to your treatment. It is important to follow the instructions that your doctor has given you on how to use your inhaler or other medications at the right time and dose. It also helps to identify the triggers that cause you to get an asthmatic attack and avoid these triggers.
It is important to learn to monitor your breathing pattern. This helps to know when you are having shortness of breath or wheezing in an impending asthmatic attack. It is crucial to learn basic first aid steps after an asthmatic attack and where to seek help. Always seek help from a doctor if you feel like the treatment that you are currently on is ineffective.
Asthma is a condition that causes swelling and narrowing of the airways and excess production of mucus such that breathing becomes difficult. The exact cause of asthma is unknown but having a genetic predisposition to asthma and being exposed to environmental factors like smoke triggers asthma. You can prevent an asthmatic attack by adhering to your medications and avoiding the triggers of asthma.
