What is Asthma, Causes, Symptoms and its Medications?

Asthma is a long-term disease of the lungs in which your airways get inflamed and become narrow. It can further make the breathing difficult and trigger a whistling sound when you breathe out and shortness of breath. For many people, it can be a significant problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. If you want to know the cause of asthma, then let me tell you that there is no known cause of asthma; however, there are many symptoms of asthma that are as follows:

  • Airway blockage– When you breathe normally, the bands of muscle around your airways are relaxed, and air moves freely, in case you have asthma, the muscles tighten. It’s harder for air to pass through.
  • Inflammation– It causes red, swollen bronchial tubes in your lungs that can damage your lungs.
  • Airway Irritability– People with asthma have susceptible airways that tend to overreact when they come in contact with the minute trigger.

Above mentioned conditions can lead to various symptoms; some of the most apparent signs that happen due to the above medical conditions are as follows:

  • Coughing, especially at night or in the morning
  • Whistling sound when you breathe
  • Shortness of breath
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Frequent cough, especially at night
  • Reduced peak flow meter readings
  • Losing your breath quickly or shortness of breath
  • Feeling very tired or weak when exercising
  • Wheezing or coughing during or after exercise

There are different types of asthma, and those are classified as below:

  • Mild Intermittent Asthma
  • Mild Persistent Asthma
  • Moderate Persistent Asthma
  • Severe Persistent Asthma

Asthma if it goes untreated, your breathing may become labored and reduce, and wheezing may get louder. With time your lungs movement will get slower, that would make breathing difficult.

Asthma affects people of all ages and often starts during childhood. And the symptoms can range from mild to severe and can happen every day or only once in a while. Certain things can set off or worsen asthma symptoms, such as cold air. These are called asthma triggers. When symptoms get worse, it is called an asthma attack. And everyone with asthma does not have the same triggers. People who have asthma need to learn what their triggers are so that they can manage and avoid them. It is essential to recognize and avoid triggers that can help you prevent further asthma attacks.

Some of the most common triggers are as follows:

  • Pollen
  • Dust
  • Mold
  • Pets
  • Sulfites
  • Latex

If your situation is getting worst day by day and your breathing is getting complicated, it’s high time to consult a doctor. However, if you have any of the below-mentioned condition, you need to consult a doctor.

  • Rapid worsening of shortness of breath
  • No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler
  • Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity

Now let us look at some of the medications that are used; the most common one is Flovent Inhaler that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. It helps in controlling and preventing symptoms caused by asthma. This medication helps you maintain your normal life activities and decreases time lost from work or school.