What You Need to Know About Asthma
Asthma is a condition that affects your respiratory system causing it to narrow and produce a lot of mucus. Since asthma El Centro narrows your respiratory tract, breathing might be difficult, resulting in wheezing and chest pain. Your specialist can help you identify your triggers and recommend avoiding them.
Causes and risk factors for asthma attacks
Asthma has a variety of causes, including dust mites, pollen, exercise, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and stress. Risk factors for asthma include being overweight, having a close relative with asthma, exposure to second-hand smoke, and being a smoker.
Symptoms
Asthma symptoms vary from one person to the other, depending on your triggers. The following are common symptoms of asthma:
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Trouble sleeping
Diagnosis and treatment options
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and review your medical history to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, you might have another test, like the pulmonary function test using spirometry. The test measures how much you exhale after a deep breath and how quickly you exhale.
Your treatment plan will depend on your symptoms and the causative factors of your asthma. Treatment aims to keep your airways open to ease your breathing. Your specialist must consider your triggers and how severe your symptoms are. Common treatment methods include prescription medicine like:
- Leukotriene modifiers
- Long-acting-beta-agonists
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Combination inhalers
Your specialist can recommend inhalers to either treat or prevent your symptoms. If your asthma attacks are frequent and severe, you might receive long-acting inhalers to avoid the attacks. If the episodes are occasional, you can use inhalers that will treat your symptoms.
The relationship between attacks and allergies
Allergic reactions can cause asthma-like symptoms depending on your triggers. While most people are allergic to dust or mold, others are allergic to insect bites or stings. Severe allergic reactions lead to a swollen respiratory tract making breathing difficult.
If you experience allergic reactions after exposure to an allergen, your specialist can recommend carrying an EpiPen to administer first aid before reaching your doctor’s office.
How to reduce your risk of asthma attacks
You can reduce your risk of getting asthma attacks by maintaining a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet. A balanced diet ensures you don’t gain unnecessary weight. If you smoke or stay near people who smoke can increase your chances of having asthma attacks, and that is why you should avoid smoking zones or quit smoking altogether.
Although it is difficult to prevent asthma, you can reduce the risk of having asthma attacks. When your doctor reviews your medical history and symptoms, they can give you a treatment plan that addresses your symptoms and keeps your airways open.
The following tips can help reduce your risk of asthma attacks:
- Follow your asthma treatment plan
- Identify and avoid your triggers
- Get vaccinated to prevent asthma flare-ups
If you suffer from asthma attacks, visit Prabhdeep Singh, MD, FAC, for asthma treatment. Dr. Singh will offer customized treatment if you have frequent or occasional asthma attacks. Call or schedule your appointment online today to improve your life’s quality.
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