What Is Asthma

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a respiratory condition which is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the Bronchial tubes, these are the small airways that carry air in and out of the lungs. When this happens it makes it difficult to breathe.

How Do You End Up With Asthma?

Asthma roughly affects 5 in every 100 with the numbers of children suffering from it rising all the time. Asthma can come into your life at any age there is no set pattern. We just don't know why some people have it and some people don't.

Doctors however do know that people with asthma have more sensitive airways than normal. Asthma can also sometimes run in families, Allergens are also a common trigger of asthma attacks, allergies to smoke, dust, pollen, animals, pollution and more, sometimes even certain types of foods can be triggers. Other factors that can cause an asthma attack to come on are vigorous exercise, stress and cold air. It is also known that common colds and coughs leading to chest infections can make asthma attacks more common and severe.

What If You Are Diagnosed With Asthma?

If you have been diagnosed with asthma your doctor would have most likely been through causes and prevention with you. You should also have a treatment plan in place to manage your symptoms and sometimes an action plan is put in place in case of emergencies.

Asthma, in most cases can be managed successfully with Inhalers; depending on the severity of the condition you may even be prescribed tablets in addition to inhalers.

If medication is taken properly and asthma is monitored regularly then as stated before, it can be managed successfully.

What If You Have An Attack?

Early warning signs are usually visible if an attack is likely to occur. DO NOT IGNORE the signs.

Signs like, tightness of the chest, wheezing, coughing and the feeling of not being able to breathe in enough air are ALL early signs.

It is important to use your medication as instructed by your doctor, Inhalers can prevent an attack from becoming severe so don't delay in taking them.

Once you have taken your medication you need to try to stay calm and relax, raising your arms up opens your airways that little bit more and can sometimes help too.

If however, the attack progresses and worsens then DO NOT hesitate to call your doctor (or ask someone to call for you). It could be that you need some stronger medication this time to get through the attack.

Asthma is a serious condition and should not be taken lightly. It can kill.

It is possible though to lead a normal and fulfilling life as long as you are sensible and manage your asthma as instructed by your doctor.