Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that impacts the airways in the lungs, causing them to swell, narrow, and produce more mucus. Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and difficulty breathing are common symptoms of this condition. Multiple factors can cause asthma, such as cold air, exercise, and allergens. Although it cannot be cured completely, it can be managed by effective lifestyle modifications and treatment. The severity of this disease is different among individuals, as some people experience mild symptoms while others may have serious, life-threatening episodes.

Managing this condition includes detecting and preventing triggers with the help of prescribed medications and screening lung function. With effective medical care, individuals can have an active and healthy life.

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Symptoms

The intensity of asthma symptoms varies, and they may aggravate during specific situations, like exposure to allergens, during exercise, or respiratory problems.

• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during physical exertion or exposure to cold air or allergens.
• Chest Tightness or Pain: A sensation of tightness in the chest due to narrowed airways, causing pain and discomfort.
• Wheezing: A high-pitched whistling sound during breathing, commonly occurring during attacks.
• Coughing: Often worsens in the early morning or at night, disrupting sleep and rest.
• Difficulty Sleeping: Caused by coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, leading to fatigue and a poor quality of life.
• Increased Mucus Production: Excess mucus in the airways during asthma episodes, obstructing airflow and making breathing difficult.

When to See a Doctor

You should seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve even after treatment, such as difficulty sleeping due to a cough, recurrent wheezing, or severe shortness of breath. In case of a severe attack that does not improve with quick-relief inhalers, get medical attention right away, especially if symptoms worsen significantly with time.

FitwellHub’s telemedicine services connect patients to pulmonologists and other specialists without the need for physical visits. Patients receive tailored care plans, early diagnosis, and real-time guidance during asthma episodes through virtual consultations.

Causes

Its origin is unknown; however, researchers believe that can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain triggers can cause asthma symptoms to flare up.

• Genetics: A family history of asthma or other allergic conditions increases the likelihood of developing.
• Allergens: Sensitive people can develop asthma symptoms when exposed to allergens such as pet dander, mold, dust mites, and pollen.
• Respiratory infections: Viral infections related to respiration, especially in childhood, can affect the lungs and increase the risks of disease development.
• Air pollution: Air pollutants like vehicle emissions, chemicals, and smoke can irritate the airways and worsen the condition’s symptoms.
• Physical activity: Exercise, especially in dry or cold air, can cause exercise-induced asthma. This leads to difficulty breathing during physical activities.
• Occupational hazards: Some workplaces that expose the individual to irritants like fumes, chemicals, and dust, among others, can result in this disease with time.

Due to high pollen levels, the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, experienced a spike in cases in March and April, making these months especially difficult for those who have respiratory problems.

Risk Factors

Various risk factors may increase the risk of disease development or worsen its symptoms:

• Allergies: Individuals with allergies to dust, animal dander, mold, or pollen are at a higher risk of developing disease, particularly with a history of eczema or allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
• Smoke Exposure: Exposure to cigarette smoke, whether from smoking or secondhand, especially in children, can increase the risk of asthma by negatively impacting lung function.
• Obesity: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing disease, potentially because of limited lung function and excessive inflammation in the body.

Complications

It may result in serious complications if not treated on time, impacting respiratory function and overall health.

• Frequent asthma attacks: Severe and frequent attacks due to uncontrolled asthma may need emergency treatment and hospitalization.
• Decreased quality of life: Persistent symptoms of this disease can restrict physical activity, disturb sleep, and decrease the quality of life, particularly in more advanced cases.
• Lung infections: This condition may lead to lung infections like pneumonia, resulting in additional respiratory system damage and worsening asthma symptoms.
• Permanent airway remodeling: With time, persistent inflammation and asthma episodes can result in permanent damage to the airway’s structure, causing decreased lung function.
• Respiratory failure: In serious cases, an attack can lead to the narrowing of airways to the extent that breathing becomes impossible and needs immediate medical care.

Prevention

Although asthma can not be fully cured, the chances of attacks can be decreased by proper treatment and preventing causes.

Prevention Method	Description
Avoiding Allergens	Detect and avoid known allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander to prevent severe episodes.
Using Inhalers and Medications	Proper use of prescribed medications, including inhalers, to ease symptoms and reduce attack frequency.
Quitting Smoking	Quitting smoking can decrease asthma symptoms and improve lung health.
Regular Exercise	Moderate, regular exercise can enhance lung function; use preventive inhalers to avoid exercise-induced attacks.
Monitoring Air Quality	Stay indoors when pollen counts or air pollution levels are high to reduce exposure to environmental triggers.

FitwellHub offers a Healthy Elite Lifestyle Program to assist in managing other persistent diseases. To learn more, visit our help page.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of asthma generally consists of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests to evaluate lung function and detect causes.

FitwellHub labs provide advanced diagnostic services to identify and assist in creating tailored treatment approaches. To schedule a test, visit our labs.

Treatment

The primary focus of this disease treatment is to alleviate symptoms, prevent asthma attacks, and improve lung function.

1- Inhaled corticosteroids

The most widely used long-term treatment for asthma is inhaled corticosteroids, which decrease airway inflammation and stop attacks.

2- Bronchodilators

These medications assist in relaxing the muscles around the airways, resulting in easy breathing. They are generally used as quick-relief inhalers during an attack.

4- Leukotriene modifiers

These oral medications help alleviate inflammation in the airways and reduce asthma symptoms.

Tool types like smart inhalers, digital spirometry, and wearable devices monitor lung function, track symptoms, and provide timely alerts for medication or medical intervention with the integration of healthcare technology.

Medications

Some of the effective medications are:

• Fluticasone (Flovent): Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid that assists in reducing airway inflammation, making it easier to breathe and preventing asthma episodes.
• Albuterol (Ventolin): Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator that provides quick relief during an attack by relaxing the muscles around the airways.
• Montelukast (Singular): Montelukast is a leukotriene modifier that helps prevent asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation and mucus production in the airways.

FitwellHub pharmacy provides a wide range of medicines to cure asthma. Order now to experience quick relief and stay on top of your health with our trusted service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)