Asthma is a medical condition that affects about one out of every 12 people. Rather than being a disease Asthma influences one’s quality of life and social participation.To cope up with Asthma Complete awareness about different aspects of the disease will help in preventing life-threatening attacks. It is important to understand what the condition is as well as what can be done to cope with it.
What is asthma?
Asthma is the hypersensitivity in the tubes connecting the throat to the lungs causing a restriction in the windpipes under certain conditions. When an asthma attack occurs, the windpipes are restricted and that interrupts the steady supply of oxygen to the lungs. This restriction occurs due to three reasons.
- Inflammation
The tissue inside the windpipes gets inflamed while having an asthma attack. As a result, the pathway shrinks and there will be trouble in breathing.
- Constriction
Constriction or in medical terms, “bronchoconstriction” occurs when the muscles that cover the outside of the windpipe get tightened.
- Mucus
There will be an increase in the amount of mucus when an asthma attack occurs. This will lead to further clogging in the pathway.
What are the causes?
Asthma is hard to cure mainly because the real roots of the condition are unknown. Research is taking place to discover what really causes asthma. There are genetic and environmental explanations of the causes of asthma. Genetic background influences one’s chance to have asthma. Parents with asthma or inherited respiratory allergies increase the chance. Environmental factors include respiratory infections or contact with airborne allergens during childhood. Low birth weight, overweight in adults, stress, and exposure to tobacco smoke are considered reasons to have increased chances of asthma.
What are the treatments?
Eliminating conditions that cause asthma, from your life can help to reduce the chances of having asthma attacks. Maintaining good indoor air quality is very decisive in avoiding factors that trigger asthma attacks. Choosing the best air purifier for asthma will help to reduce the effects of allergies and the frequency of attacks. Using air purifiers is not only beneficial for asthma patients but others to improve their lung health. The best air purifier for asthma can be selected based on your requirements. There are air purifiers designed to remove common triggers like pollen, pet dander, smoke, chemicals, and so on. Along with the use of air purifiers, basic home cleaning, washing bed sheets regularly, regular cleaning of damp areas, and avoiding exposure to smoke will also help in avoiding the triggers.
Medication can also help to do away with asthma attacks. There are medicines that help to get immediate and long-term relief. Medications taken on a daily basis can help to avoid attack and keep asthma under control. Inhalers provide fast relief especially while having an asthma attack.
Conclusion
Asthma affects people in different magnitudes. For some people, it may be a mild discomfort but for others, a life-threatening attack. Asthma becomes the worst disease when it affects one’s day-to-day activities and due to the fact that it can’t be cured. It is important to track your signs and symptoms with the help of your doctor as the condition changes over time. Monitoring the changes and making needed adjustments in treatment will help in long-term control that is needed to prevent life-threatening asthma attacks.
