Asthma is a lung disease that causes the breathing tubes in the lungs to narrow during a flare-up or asthma attack. If you have asthma, you may find it difficult to inhale and exhale (breathe) during an asthma attack.
While there is no cure for asthma, there are ways to prevent asthma flare-ups so you experience them less often. There are also ways to manage the condition through medication so you are not faced with life threatening situations.
Let’s take a look at what asthma symptoms are and what causes the condition. Knowing what the causes and triggers of asthma are can help you manage the condition better so you can live a normal life free from frequent flare-ups and medical emergencies.
Symptoms Of Asthma
People with asthma experience difficulty breathing. For some, asthma attacks can happen gradually, beginning with a slight difficulty in breathing and gradually getting worse. For some, asthma attacks may happen swiftly and completely prevent breathing all of a sudden.
You may also experience chest pain, chest tightness, and nasal flaring when experiencing an asthmatic attack. It is also common to be unable to speak during an attack.
Asthma attacks generally require immediate medical attention. Individuals with asthma generally have to carry medication with them at all times in case of a flare-up. This medication can help ease the symptoms and prevent a life threatening situation.
What Causes Asthma?
Asthma is caused by swelling and narrowing of the bronchial tubes in the lungs when the body overreacts to something foreign. The muscles in the airways contract which increases the narrowing even more. These factors make it difficult for the person to breath. It is unknown why exactly this happens, but doctors have determined that certain things can “trigger” this bodily reaction.
Experts do not know the exact cause of asthma. Individuals who have asthma have triggers that cause asthma flare-ups. They include:
- Pet dander
- Cigarette smoke
- Cleaning products
- Dust mites
- Sulfites (found in some foods)
- Health conditions such as the flu, cold, or bronchitis
Each person has a different set of triggers which cause the asthma flare-ups. Determining what your triggers are can help you avoid them so you have less asthma attacks.
Risk Factors Which Increase Asthma Flare-Ups
There are a variety of factors that can increase your risk of asthma. They include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking or being exposed to second hand smoke
- Living in an area with very bad air pollution
- Having an occupation that exposes you to harmful air pollutants
- Having a family history of asthma
Asthma Treatment in Sarasota and Manatee County, Florida
Asthma may seem like a difficult condition to live with, but with the help of an experienced doctor, you can manage your condition very well. The experts at Intercoastal Medical Group have a wealth of experience helping patients manage asthma. If you have asthma and want the support of a reputable physician to manage your condition, make an appointment by calling one of our 8 locations or request an appointment online.