Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent attacks of choking and wheezing. An asthma attack is the most common chronic disease among children. Currently, 235 million people suffer from Asthma. So, in this article let's talk about what are the frequently asked questions about asthma. 
Yes, smoking has a negative effect on asthma - the symptoms become more severe and less controlled. Smoking may cause a gradual destruction of the lungs. Many people suffer from exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking during pregnancy is known to increase the chances of developing an asthma in an unborn baby. Smoking increases the likelihood of developing many other health problems. Also, read about: Why Should I Quit Smoking?
- What is Asthma?
- What causes Asthma?
- What factors trigger asthma?
- Can Asthma be cured?
- hat can be done under asthma attack?
- Can smoking make my asthma worse?
- Can I Exercise?
- Why is monitoring peak expiratory flow important?
- How often should measurements be taken?
- What is important when measuring peak expiratory flow?
- How to Measure?
- Can I evaluate my own condition?
- How does inhalation therapy
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, characterized by the occurrence of asthma attacks. People with asthma have acute asthma attacks when the bronchi, reacting to allergens, gets narrow, and an increased amount of sputum is produced, preventing air from passing through the bronchi. Thus, breathing becomes difficult. Symptoms of asthma include:- cough
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- choking
What Causes Asthma?
The underlying causes of pulmonary changes in asthma is not yet known. There are many factors contributing to the occurrence of asthma, among them some aspects of the modern lifestyle, such as housing and diet. Smoking during pregnancy is known to increase the chances of developing asthma in an unborn baby. There is no evidence that transport air pollution causes asthma, however, poor air quality can worsen your asthma condition.What Factors Trigger Asthma?
- The provoking factors acting on the respiratory tract lead to a narrowing of the bronchi. The most common irritants are-
- cold air
- tobacco smoke
- plant pollen
- animal fur and feather
- mites living in house dust
Can Asthma Be Cured?
Unfortunately, asthma is incurable. However, if properly treated, this disease can be kept under control. Patients with asthma can prevent or alleviate their condition by taking the right medications. Most people, independently learning about medications or other strategies for managing asthma, take control of their illness and lead an active lifestyle.What Can Be Done Under Asthma Attack?
- To relieve an attack, immediately use a nebulizer or DAI.
- If you do not have relief within five to ten minutes, consult a doctor.
- Continue taking the medicine every five minutes until help arrives.
Can Smoking Make My Asthma Worse?
Yes, smoking has a negative effect on asthma - the symptoms become more severe and less controlled. Smoking may cause a gradual destruction of the lungs. Many people suffer from exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking during pregnancy is known to increase the chances of developing an asthma in an unborn baby. Smoking increases the likelihood of developing many other health problems. Also, read about: Why Should I Quit Smoking?Can I Exercise?
As long as asthma is under control, you can gradually exercise. Any exercises that teach you how to breathe correctly, for example, yoga, have a beneficial effect on people with asthma. If you see that physical exercise worsens your condition, report it to the doctor, as this may mean that you need correct treatment.Why is Monitoring Peak Expiratory Flow Important?
Only monitoring with a peak flow meter makes it possible to control asthma using modern schemes. The device provides the patient with high-quality, timely and objective information for the early diagnosis of breathing problems before wheezing and coughing.How Often Should Measurements Be Taken?
Doctors usually recommend taking two measurements daily: once in the morning and the other in the evening. In addition, measurements should be taken whenever you feel bad, or if you have shortness of breath. Always take measurements before inhaling any medications you have been prescribed.What is Important When Measuring Peak Expiratory Flow?
It is important for the doctor to know only the magnitude of the highest peak expiratory flow rate obtained during your measurement session. Continue measurement until you feel that you have received the maximum possible result for this measurement session. If at each subsequent measurement the result becomes lower and lower, consult your doctor. This may be a sign of asthma instability. Measurements can give erroneously low results due to the cough that started during the measurement, so always repeat the measurement. If you want to conduct a series of consecutive measurements, sufficient rest is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the results after each measurement. It is important to know that the low level of peak expiratory flow rate results in an approaching asthma attack, even if nothing indicates to that moment.How to Measure?
- Measurements should be carried out either in a standing position or sitting upright.
- For better comparability of results, always take measurements in the same position.
- Hold the device with both hands.
- Take a deep breath and hold your breath for a moment.
- Press the measuring tube tightly with your lips.
- As much as possible and quickly exhale into the measuring tube.
- Take the device away from your mouth and check the result on the display.
- It is recommended that three or more measurements be taken in succession.
Can I Evaluate My Own Condition?
The patient can independently assess his condition and monitor the course of the disease, if he uses the Traffic Light control system. The patient, interacting with his doctor, can well control asthma. The doctor determines for the patient the green, yellow and red zones of peak expiratory flow rates. If the results fall into the green zone, the disease is under good control. As soon as the results are increasingly in the yellow zone, it is necessary, after consulting with a doctor, to increase the dose of medication. The red zone indicates a very dangerous condition. You must act according to the instructions of the doctor or resort to immediate medical care.How Does Inhalation Therapy Work?
Respiratory diseases can be effectively controlled by inhalation therapy since the maximum dose of the drug reaches the bronchi and lungs. Compared with DAI (metered-dose aerosol inhaler) or dry powder inhalers, nebulizers allow for a deeper and more even distribution of the drug in the respiratory tract. Therefore, the therapeutic effect of such a method of administration will be maximized. The side effects of treatment with the use of nebulizer inhalation therapy are significantly reduced, compared with the therapy carried out with the aid of DAI and dry powder inhalers, since due to higher efficiency, a lower dose of the drug is required. A major role is also played by the fact that when using DAI, the main part of the drug is deposited in the upper respiratory tract, where it can eventually cause candidiasis, inflammatory diseases of the pharynx, voice apparatus. Therefore, nebulizers are suitable for patients with chronic respiratory diseases, children and elderly patients. Also, read about: Find An Asthma Cure With The Help of An Expert The first step is to test the patient, for example, on a spirometer to get full monitoring of the personal state of the lungs. Then enter the obtained optimal results into the personal asthma analyzer PF 100 computer program "Asthma Analyzer" (Microlife Asthma Analyzer SW) and thereby enable the use of the Traffic Light control system to determine the condition of the patient's lungs. You can read more about Asthma risk factors in Have Asthma? Know the causes and risk factors article.Suffering from Asthma? do consult with Best Pulmonologist in India today or book appointment with Credihealth.For more information and free personalized guidance, talk to Credihealth Medical Experts.
Reviewed by
