A lot has been said and written about the chronic inflammatory diseases and their effect on our lives. Asthma is one such major and widespread Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Here are some pointers that every asthmatic person should be aware of:
The mysterious symptoms:
The symptoms of asthma like coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath occur as a result of underlying lung inflammation. Additional symptoms such as unusually rapid movements of nostrils or cyanosis of face and lips may accompany an attack.
No fixed treatment:
Asthma can change through life (mostly degrade), thereby causing an alteration in the way the symptoms manifest and the the type of treatment needed. A treatment that worked to help you manage your symptoms a decade ago may not prove to be effective today. Intake of several medications in varying doses may be required.
Several medications may be required:
Certain medicines may cause intolerable side effects while some may have to be constantly tested and monitored. You would probably need an instant rescue medication for quick relief and a long-term control medicine that you take daily to control the underlying inflammation and prevent exacerbations. Inadequate access to medicines is a major reason for the poor control of asthma in many settings.
Know your triggers:
Depending entirely on medication to control your asthma isn’t wise. It is also important to avoid the stimuli that irritate and inflame the airways. Inhaled particles provoke allergic reactions or irritate the airways and are the strongest risk factors for developing asthma. While smoke from cigarette or tobacco, either first or second hand, is the major cause of severe asthma, some factors may be more likely irritants in some people than in others. Researchers continue to explore the causes of this disease.
Size matters:
As per a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the risk of this COPD grows as the body mass increases. Hence, overweight children possess a higher chance of being asthmatic in comparison to normal-weight kids.
Every asthma is unique:
Each asthmatic person responds differently to treatments. New bronchial treatments and biologic medications that target individual immune system processes are making a difference in the lives of people with severe, difficult-to-treat it.
Workout can be taxing:
Many asthmatics notice that their symptoms flare up when they go for a run. This condition, known as exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), results from the narrowing of the bronchial tubes that bring air to the lungs as you exert yourself, leading to spasms in the surrounding muscles. Similar symptoms appear when you breathe in air that is cooler and drier than what's already in your airways. See your doctor for a correct diagnosis.
A relieving stat:
Less than 1-2% of the population is asthmatic and only 10% of these develop severe asthma.
Stay protected from flu:
People with severe asthma are strongly recommended an annual influenza vaccination because contracting flu can trigger the symptoms of it and even lead to the development of pneumonia. Even if your asthma is well-controlled, you are still at high risk for complications.
Fiber diet helps:
Poultry, meat, seafood, dairy products and cod liver oil contribute to an increased risk of asthma, while switching to a plant-based diet and increasing intake of fresh fruits, green vegetables and soy products has proven to be protective and successfully treat symptoms of the disease.
Guiding People With Asthma Towards Better Lives
The World Health Organization lists Asthma as the third most life-threatening disease affecting children. Already about 26 million people in the US suffer from asthma, one-third being children. Read More..
