Many people know asthma as a condition related to breathing problems. But what is it exactly? Well, it is a condition that causes the narrowing and swelling of the airways. It may also lead to the extra production of mucus. Thus, your breathing can become complicated, and it may cause you to create a whistling sound while you inhale and exhale. It may also trigger shortness of breath and coughing.

How serious is asthma?
For many people, this condition is just a pestering concern. For others, it can severely interfere with breathing and affect the quality of life, making day-to-day activities harder to perform. While there is no cure for this disease, it can be managed well. So, it is advised to visit a health specialist if you notice any symptoms of the condition.

Symptoms of the condition
The various signs of asthma are as follows.

• Tight feeling in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• In children, wheezing when breathing out
• Issues with sleeping
• More difficulty breathing as the above symptoms worsen
• The repeated need for using an inhaler for breathing relief

Causes of the condition
The various causes of the disease are as follows.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Strong stress and emotions
• Preservatives and sulfites that are present in some foods
• Air pollutants and irritants, like smoke
• Cold air
• Conditions like the common cold
• Physical activity
• Allergens present in the air like cockroach waste, pet dander, and dust mites

You may also be prone to the condition due to exercise-induced triggers, occupational irritants, and allergy-related triggers.

Risk factors of the condition
The various risk factors of the disease are as follows.

• Being exposed to secondhand smoke
• Being exposed to exhaust fumes or other kinds of pollutants
• Smoking
• Being obese or overweight
• Having a sibling or parent with asthma

Prevention of the condition
You can certainly avoid the onset of asthma. Certain ways to do so are as follows.

• Keep track of increasing quick-relief inhaler use
• Take medications as prescribed by the doctor
• Identify and treat the asthma attacks early on
• Keep a check on your breathing patterns
• Stay away from asthma triggers by identifying them
• Get a vaccine for pneumonia and influenza
• Create and follow an asthma attack plan

Treatments of the condition
The various options for asthma treatments include the following.

• Inhalers (also called puffers)
  There are two types of inhalers, dry powder, and metered dose. While the former delivers dry powder, the latter uses an aerosol canister to deliver a short bust of medicine.
• Nebulizers
  This is a machine that sends a liquid medicine in the form of a mist into the nose. You can inhale it and find relief. This is ideal for patients who find it hard to use an inhaler.
• Long-term control medicines
  These help you prevent and control asthma symptoms. You must use them every day if you want to see good results. The various types of these medicines include inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonists, combined inhaled medicines, biologics, cromolyn sodium, leukotriene modifiers, theophylline, and oral corticosteroids.
• Quick-relief measures
  These are just short-term asthma treatment options that quickly help your tight airways relax and open up, allowing smoother airflow. Some examples are short-acting beta-agonists, long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) or anticholinergics, and combination quick-relief medicines.

With the information mentioned above on asthma treatments, symptoms, causes, risk factors, and prevention, we hope you will be better informed about the condition. If you or someone close to you shows this condition’s indications, do not delay paying a visit to the doctor.