Asthma is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. During an asthma attack, the linings of the airways swell and produce excess mucus while the muscles around the airways tighten. These factors combine to make the airways or bronchial tubes in your lungs narrow which makes it difficult for air to travel in and out of the lungs.
Asthma Symptoms
The most common symptoms of an asthma attack include:
• Coughing - When caused by asthma, coughing may not go away. It may happen more often at night or may be worse at night.
• Wheezing- This is a whistling sound when you breathe out caused by the narrowing of the airways in the lungs.
• Tightness in the chest It may feel like something wrapped around your ribs is being pulled tighter and tighter.
• Difficulty breathing - Asthma can make it feel like you can’t take a deep breath or like you are trying to breathe through a straw. Breathing out may seem harder than breathing in.
Types of Asthma
There are two basic types of asthma which share the same basic asthma symptoms:
• Allergic (extrinsic) asthma – This type of asthma is triggered by an allergic reaction to something. Allergies can trigger a variety of symptoms in the body including runny nose, swelling of tissues, and difficulty breathing. Asthma can be triggered by the same kinds of allergens that cause hay fever, allergic rhinitis, or eczema, which is a reaction on the skin that causes a rash or blisters. The most common triggers for allergic asthma are plant pollens, molds, and animal dander. Other triggers include respiratory infections such as a cold, the flu, or a sinus infection. Exercising, heartburn, and sudden changes in the temperature of the air can also trigger an allergic asthma attack.
Because some allergens such as pollens are seasonal, it is possible for allergic asthma to be a seasonal condition. This may mean having more asthma symptoms in the spring when flowers are blooming or in the late summer or early fall at times when ragweed and mold are thriving.
Of the 20 million people with asthma, approximately half have allergic asthma. This includes approximately 2.5 million children under the age of 18.
• Non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma – You don’t need to be allergic to anything to have this kind of asthma. Irritants in the air that can cause non-allergic asthma attacks include tobacco smoke, wood smoke, outdoor air pollution, fumes from cleaning products, and substances with strong odors such as room deodorizers, fresh paint, cooking odors, and perfumes.
Non-allergic asthma shares some triggers with allergic asthma including respiratory infections such as the common cold or the flu, exercise, reflux (heartburn) and sudden changes in air temperature.
Other Asthma Risks
• Nocturnal Asthma – Some people discover that their asthma symptoms are worse in the middle of the night, usually between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. This can be true of either allergic or non-allergic asthma. This may be an indication that you have sinus problems that react to things you are around more at night, such as dust mites or pet dander if your animals sleep with you. The body also makes certain chemicals that help fight asthma symptoms including adrenaline and corticosteroids. The levels of these chemicals tend to be lowest in the middle of the night, which may make your symptoms worse. Be sure to tell your doctor if your asthma symptoms are worse at night.
• Occupational Asthma – Some people may develop asthma as a result of exposure to certain substances at work. Possible irritants include dust, chemicals, or animal proteins. If you are newly diagnosed with asthma, talk to your doctor about possible exposure at work. It may be possible to reduce symptoms of newly diagnosed asthma by limiting exposure to these triggers.
• Pregnancy with Asthma - Some women find that their asthma symptoms are better while they are pregnant, while others find that their asthma gets worse or stays the same. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about your asthma symptoms and make a plan to adjust your medications if necessary.
Whatever type of asthma you have, knowing your triggers gives you the ability to be ready to manage an attack if necessary. If you know you have been exposed to one or more triggers, monitor your breathing so you can take appropriate medications or get medical help as needed. You may also be able to reduce the number or frequency of your asthma attacks by limiting your exposure to your known triggers. Do not try to adjust your medication levels on your own based on limiting triggers. Talk to your doctor and follow all medication instructions unless your doctor tells you to make a change.
Sources:
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
asthma.com