Asthma is a respiratory health condition that affects up to 339 million people in the world across all ages. However, they do not all have the same kind of asthma.
In this post, we’ll look at the types of asthma that exist, their triggers, management, and preventive tactics that could be of help to persons who have it.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes the airways to be narrow and inflamed. When this happens, persons affected will experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and other symptoms.
The frequency and severity of these symptoms vary from one person to another. There is currently no cure for asthma but it can be managed effectively so those who have it can live a healthy and happy life.
What Types of Asthma Exist?
- Allergic Asthma
This type of asthma is associated with exposure to allergens like dust, mold, pollen, and even certain foods. Although allergic asthma varies from person to person, it could be hereditary and run in families.
- Non-Allergic Asthma
Persons who have non-allergic asthma are affected by things like respiratory infection, exercise, colds, smoke, and air pollution.
Frequent exposure to any of these factors due to the nature of a person’s job could heighten the severity and frequency of their episodes.
- Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)
This is also called exercise-induced asthma. The airway becomes narrow during or after strenuous exercise. Common symptoms of EIB are chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
- Occupational Asthma
Certain types of jobs expose individuals who work there to chemicals, fumes, and gas that could cause an asthma episode.
Many people who usually have occupational asthma were not asthmatic before that job, while those who were asthmatic before that job recorded more frequent and severe asthma attacks.
How Can Asthma Be Managed?
The first aspect of the effective management of asthma is an understanding of what triggers attacks.
Triggers are peculiar to individuals however, the common ones are respiratory infections, irritants, stress, exercise, allergies, medication, weather, and other environmental changes.
Deescalating asthmatic attacks quickly is the second aspect of asthma management. This involves doing things that calm the symptoms and keep the lungs functional. These include:
- Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators are also known as Short-Acting Beta-Agonists (SABAs). They are quick-relief medications that relax the muscles in the lungs and widen the airways.
Albuterol or Salbutamol is a type of bronchodilator medication that many people especially in Nigeria refer to by the brand name, Ventolin.
They are administered orally and inhaled using an inhaler. However, they can be taken as tablets, syrups, or injections.
- Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs)
Long-Acting-Beta-Agonists (LABAs) is a medication that is used for persons whose asthma is historically severe and persistent.
Bronchodilators or SABAs are effective for up to four to six hours in comparison to LABAs which last up to 12 hours.
LABAs are also used for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a disease that causes airflow blockage.
Studies have also shown that using LABAs with inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, and biologic therapies immensely soothes the symptoms of persons who have severe asthma.
- The Asthma Action Plan (AAP)
This is a personalised written plan that every person with asthma curates under the guardianship of their doctor.
It is a detailed document that consists of their triggers, medication and administration methods, symptoms, and a step-by-step guide on what should be done during an attack.
An AAP can also include a guide on proper inhaler administration techniques that aid the circulation of medication to the lungs during an asthma episode.
- Spirometry Test
Spirometry is a medical examination that tests the effectiveness of a person’s lungs through the measurement of how much air they can inhale, and exhale, and the speed of exhalation.
Medical doctors use Spirometry to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other breathing-related health conditions.
Periodic spirometry tests are necessary to effectively manage asthma because it is the only way doctors can observe lung function to discover changes in time.
Conclusion
Asthma has no cure but it can be managed in a manner that enables those with it to live comfortably and happily.
Seek a doctor for thorough tests and a prescription of medication if you sense that you are asthmatic. This guides a medical practitioner and prevents self-medication and the potential danger it poses.
Having insurance is important if you are asthmatic. Asthma attacks are often unexpected and the circumstances surrounding an episode might necessitate an emergency visit to the pharmacy or hospital.
Health Cash Insurance by Casava reimburses you for the funds you spend getting treated in such situations. Learn more about it here.
Prioritise your health and general wellness if you are asthmatic or suspect that you might be. Take vaccines for flu and pneumonia to decrease your chances of exposure to respiratory infections.
Work out, eat well, meditate, and rest well to subdue asthma episodes and improve your overall well-being.
Be mindful of the air you inhale indoors as it is a major hack for managing and preventing asthma altogether. Clean your surroundings regularly, use an air purifier, and avoid smoke from cigarettes, cooking, etc.
If you are asthmatic or know someone who is, please share any tips that they have found helpful in caring for themselves.
