Summary about Disease
Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs. This narrowing causes difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Asthma is a variable disease, meaning symptoms can change over time and vary from person to person. It is usually triggered by allergens, irritants, exercise, or respiratory infections.
Symptoms
Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing, especially exhaling)
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness or pain
Coughing (often worse at night or early morning)
Difficulty talking
Anxiety or panic
Fatigue
Causes
Asthma is a complex disease with multiple contributing factors. These include:
Genetic predisposition: A family history of asthma increases the risk.
Environmental factors: Exposure to allergens (pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander), irritants (air pollution, smoke, chemical fumes), and respiratory infections.
Occupational exposures: Certain jobs expose workers to irritants or allergens.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of asthma.
Medicine Used
Asthma medications are primarily divided into two categories:
Long-term control medications: Taken daily to prevent asthma symptoms. Examples include inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone, budesonide), long-acting beta-agonists (salmeterol, formoterol), leukotriene modifiers (montelukast), and theophylline.
Quick-relief (rescue) medications: Used to quickly relieve asthma symptoms. The most common type is inhaled short-acting beta-agonists (albuterol). Other medications may be used for severe asthma, such as oral corticosteroids (prednisone) or biologics (omalizumab).
Is Communicable
No, asthma is not a communicable disease. It cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Identify and avoid triggers: Minimize exposure to allergens, irritants, and other factors that worsen your asthma.
Take medications as prescribed: Follow your doctor's instructions for both long-term control and quick-relief medications.
Monitor asthma symptoms: Use a peak flow meter to track lung function and recognize early warning signs of an asthma flare-up.
Develop an asthma action plan: Work with your doctor to create a plan that outlines how to manage your asthma, including when to take medication and when to seek medical care.
Get vaccinated: Get a flu shot and pneumonia vaccine to help prevent respiratory infections that can trigger asthma.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can worsen asthma symptoms.
How long does an outbreak last?
The duration of an asthma flare-up (or exacerbation) varies depending on the severity of the flare-up and how quickly it is treated. Mild flare-ups may resolve within a few hours or days with appropriate use of rescue medication. More severe flare-ups can last for several days or even weeks and may require medical attention, including oral corticosteroids or hospitalization.
How is it diagnosed?
Medical history and physical exam: The doctor will ask about your symptoms, family history, and potential triggers. They will also listen to your lungs.
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs): These tests measure how well your lungs are working. Spirometry is the most common PFT, measuring how much air you can exhale and how quickly you can exhale it.
Bronchoprovocation testing: This test involves inhaling a substance (such as methacholine) that can trigger asthma symptoms. It's used to identify individuals with asthma-like symptoms who have normal PFTs.
Allergy testing: Skin or blood tests can identify allergens that may be triggering your asthma.
Chest X-ray: May be done to rule out other conditions.
Timeline of Symptoms
Asthma symptoms can appear at any age but often start in childhood. The timeline of symptoms varies greatly from person to person.
Early Childhood: Frequent coughing, wheezing, and respiratory infections. Symptoms may be triggered by viral infections.
Childhood/Adolescence: Symptoms may be persistent or intermittent, triggered by allergens, exercise, or irritants.
Adulthood: New-onset asthma can occur, triggered by occupational exposures, allergies, or other factors. Existing asthma may worsen or improve over time.
Important Considerations
Asthma is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management.
Asthma can be effectively controlled with proper medication and management strategies.
Individuals with asthma should work closely with their healthcare provider to develop a personalized asthma action plan.
Uncontrolled asthma can lead to significant limitations in activity and quality of life, and potentially to life-threatening asthma attacks.
Education and self-management are crucial for successful asthma control.