Asthma is often a lifelong condition in which your airways become narrow, due to which you have difficulty in breathing. It is common among children but can occur in any age group. The severity of asthma may differ from person to person. To some, asthma may cause only minor symptoms. But for others, it may become life-threatening. Therefore you should never ignore the signs and symptoms of asthma.
Although it can not be cured, the symptoms can be managed. To make sure that your asthma does not worsen and the symptoms are managed well, you need to attend follow-up visits with your healthcare provider. To keep an eye on your asthma treatment progress, you can visit an Internal Medicine specialist in Lahore.
What are the Symptoms of Asthma?
The most common symptom of asthma is difficulty breathing with a whistling sound. However, it may be accompanied by any of the following symptoms.
- Cough that aggravates upon laughing, talking loudly, during exercise, or while sleeping
- Shortness of breath
- A feeling of tightness in the chest
- Fatigue
- Difficulty talking
- Trouble sleeping because of difficulty in breathing
When do the Symptoms of Asthma Get Worse?
The symptoms of asthma may worsen when you are exposed to triggers. Most commonly, the triggers of asthma include dust, mites, pet danders, and mold. Asthma may also worsen;
- When you exercise- also known as exercise-induced asthma, it happens because the air you breathe in becomes dry and cold, causing exacerbation of pre-existing asthma.
- When you get exposed to irritants- when you get exposed to chemicals, fumes, dust, or smoke, it irritates your lungs.
- Allergy-induced asthma- people having allergies along with asthma may get an exacerbation in their symptoms when they get exposed to allergens. Upon exposure to allergens, allergy is provoked, which in turn worsens the symptoms of asthma.
Asthma can also be triggered due to other triggers like;
- Having infections like sinusitis, colds, and the flu
- Getting exposed to allergens such as pollens, mold, pet dander, and dust mites
- Getting exposed to irritants like strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions
- Spending time in air pollution
- Smoking cigarettes or spending time with others doing it
- Exercise
- Getting exposure to cold air or changes in the weather, such as temperature or humidity
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Facing strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter, sadness, or stress
- Taking medications such as aspirin
How Can You Prevent Asthma?
You can make a difference in your asthma symptoms by practicing tips that help prevent them. The most important thing is to avoid triggers of asthma. You must know what exacerbates your asthma so that you can avoid it. Moreover, along with it, you can practice the following tips.
- Do not spend time in the chilly air.
- Do not drink something too cold.
- Take inhalers on time, even if you are feeling alright.
- Get yourself vaccinated against flu, influenza, and coronavirus.
- If you are going out in the cold, cover yourself properly.
- Monitor your symptoms. If they are coming, do not prolong them. Take medications as soon as you feel the symptoms of asthma coming.
- Avoid exposure to dust, mites, and pollen.
- Control your allergy by taking medications on time and avoiding its triggers.
Conclusion
Asthma needs to be managed well. Therefore you should never ignore it if you feel its symptoms coming. Asthma, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. You must attend your follow-up visits with your healthcare provider. If you are asthmatic, you can visit the Best Internal Medicine Specialist in Karachi for a check-up.