Asthma comes from the word "asthma," which is taken from the Greek meaning difficult to breathe. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract characterized by recurrent wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Asthma is a chronic disease that often appears in childhood and youth. One in twelve children in the United States has this disease. If handled properly, asthma is not a life-threatening disease. However, asthma can interfere with daily activities such as school, work, and other social events. Therefore, here are some things you need to know about asthma.
How does asthma occur?
To understand asthma, we first need to understand the normal breathing process. Generally, any oxygen inhaled through the nose or mouth will flow through the throat and eventually reach the lungs. Many small pathways in the lungs help deliver oxygen to the bloodstream. Asthma symptoms occur when the lining of the airways swells, and the surrounding muscle tissue becomes tight. Then the airways will narrow due to mucus entering, so the amount of air that passes will be obstructed. This condition is also called an asthma attack, accompanied by coughing and tightness in the chest.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
The most common symptom in people with asthma is wheezing due to shortness of breath. However, several other symptoms are also found, including:
- Cough, especially when laughing and exercising or at night
- Pain in the chest area
- Hard to breathe
- Difficulty speaking
- Rapid breathing rhythm
- Difficulty sleeping
Not everyone with asthma will experience the same symptoms. Despite this, there is a common pattern of symptoms, namely, asthma that comes and goes over time or within the same day, is worse at night or early in the morning, starts or worsens with a viral infection such as a cold, and is triggered by exercise, allergies, cold air, or hyperventilation because laugh or cry.
What causes asthma?
Until now, the main cause of asthma is not known with certainty. However, researchers believe that asthma is influenced by several factors, namely genetics, a history of viral infection, and the hygiene hypothesis. Many things can trigger an asthma attack and make the symptoms worse, including dust, cigarette smoke, animal dander, cold air, physical activity, viral infections, and exposure to chemicals. People with asthma have been shown to have more sensitive airways than those without asthma.
What can be done to reduce the risk of an asthma attack?
Apart from taking medicine that doctors have recommended, here are some tips you can do to reduce the risk of an asthma attack:
- Eat healthy food
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Stop and avoid smoking
- Exercise regularly with certain limits
- Manage stress wisely
Given that different factors can cause asthma experienced by one person with another, we need to recognize and avoid asthma triggers and monitor airway conditions. Call your doctor if you feel weak, can't do your daily activities, and have a cough that doesn't go away.
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Source:
Goldman, L., Holland, K., & Goodwin, M. (2021). Asthma: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma