Asthma Basics
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. Asthma can be challenging, disruptive and frightening for those who have it, and for family, friends and caregivers. Asthma is different for everyone, and its symptoms and onset varies greatly from person to person. There is currently no cure for asthma but with proper treatment, people who have asthma can live normal, healthy lives.
In this section, you will find resources that you can trust, that will start you on the path toward learning more about asthma, how to manage it and live well with asthma.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. Asthma causes inflammation or swelling, and a narrowing of the airways making it more difficult to breathe. Irritated cells in the airways make more mucus than usual narrowing the tiny airways. Mucus is a normally a protective, sticky liquid that helps shield your lungs from irritants like dust, bacteria and smoke.
During normal breathing, air flows freely in and out of the lungs. However, during an asthma attack or episode, swelling of the airway’s lining increases, muscles surrounding the airways tighten, and thick mucus clogs the tiny airways making it difficult to breathe.
Who gets asthma?
Asthma affects people of all ages and while it can start in adulthood, it most often starts during childhood. Young children who wheeze a lot and have frequent respiratory infections that continue beyond 6 years old are at greater risk. Genetics can also play a role in developing asthma. Having a family history of eczema, allergies, or having parents or siblings that have asthma increases risk. We aren’t exactly sure what causes asthma, but we do know exposure to certain things can trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma symptoms
Asthma symptoms vary from person to person and can flare up anytime – day or night.
Symptoms may include:
• Wheezing – Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe out.
• Coughing – Coughing from asthma is often worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard to sleep. Sometimes coughing can be the only symptom.
• Shortness of breath – Some people feel like they can’t catch their breath or feel breathless, as if they can’t get air out of their lungs.
• Chest tightness or pain – This can feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest.
Asthma symptoms vary from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, week-to-week and over months and can vary from mild to life threatening There is currently no cure for asthma, but it is manageable with proper asthma medications and by avoiding Common Asthma Triggers.
Having symptoms may mean your asthma is not well controlled. See your health care provider if:
• You have symptoms or are using your quick-relief inhaler (rescue) more than two times a week.
• You have symptoms that wake you up two or more times a month.
• You refill your rescue inhaler prescription more than two times per year.
• Your asthma is getting in the way of your usual activities like going to school or work.
Don’t ignore asthma symptoms. Symptoms that are not easily relieved by using a rescue inhaler or that reoccur should be evaluated by your health care provider, or you should go to the emergency room or call 9-1-1. TAKE ASTHMA SERIOUSLY.
Common Asthma Triggers
There are many different things that trigger asthma in the home, school and work settings, and there are ways you can reduce your exposure.
Triggers may include:
• Pollutants in the air we breathe, pollen, wood smoke, cold air/weather changes, viral infections, chemicals and scented products, strong emotions, aerobic exercise and many more.
What may trigger a person’s asthma is very specific to that individual. Some of the more challenging asthma triggers can be found inside the home. These include:
• Dust mites – tiny spiders that are found in almost every home
• Mold – water leaks and humidity, the amount of moisture in the air can allow mold to grow
• Dander, saliva and excrement from furry or feathered pets like cats, dogs and birds
• Pests such as cockroaches and mice
Sensitivity to triggers varies greatly from person to person. It is important for asthma patients to talk with their health care providers to understand what triggers may cause their asthma to flare up, and learn ways to reduce exposure or eliminate triggers as much as possible.