Breathing Difficulty Mainly Asthma

Breathing Difficulty Mainly Asthma 

👉Asthma causes the airways to become inflamed and swollen, reducing the amount of air that can pass in and out of the lungs. However, there are several different types of asthma, and each has its own set of triggers.

✳ Types of asthma

⏺Allergic asthma

⏺Nonallergic asthma

⏺Seasonal asthma

⏺Occupational asthma

👇 Explanations

✳ *Occupational asthma* 

People with occupational asthma may find that their symptoms are worse while working, or that they improve with time off work

⏺In fact, up to 15% of asthma cases in the U.S. may be due to job-related exposure to paint chemicals, aerosols, insecticides, or other harmful substances.

👉How long the symptoms take to occur may depend on the level of exposure to these and other substances. Some people may have an asthma attack within 24 hoursof exposure. In others, it may take months, or even years, for any symptoms to develop.

➡ Treatment

Occupational asthma can be treated the same as regular asthma, with inhaled medicines called bronchodilators that open (dilate) the airways as well as inhaled anti-inflammatory medicines (glucocorticoids). However, the most important intervention is to avoid any further exposure.

⏺ Seasonal asthma

In seasonal asthma, symptoms flare up in certain conditions or at particular times of the year.

For example, a person with seasonal asthma may notice that symptoms are worse, or only present, during:

👉Hay fever season, when pollen levels are at their highest

👉Cold or hot weather, thunderstorms, and sudden changes in temperature

👉Days when air pollution is worse, such as still, cold days

👉Winter months, when there are more cold and flu viruses around

➡ In many ways, seasonal asthma is similar to allergic asthma. In fact, people may use both terms to describe asthma attacks that occur during the pollen season.

➡ *Treatment* 

The medications include inhaled steroids, which fight inflammation, and bronchodilators, which open up your airways. If traditional treatments don't help your allergic asthma, Xolair, an injectable medication that reduces IgE levels, may help.

The following tips may also help reduce symptoms of seasonal asthma:

👉Pay attention to local weather reports on air quality and pollen levels, and only plan outside activities for when conditions are less likely to trigger an asthma attack.

👉Keep windows and doors closed, both at home and when traveling by car.

👉Wear a scarf over the mouth and nose in cold weather, to warm up air as it passes into the lungs.

Keep medication on hand for quick relief from symptoms.

👉Keep a diary to note which weather conditions seem to bring on symptoms.

⏺ Nonallergic asthma

Nonallergic, or intrinsic, asthma does not require an allergen to trigger an attack.

It is less common than allergic asthma, accounting for around 10–33% of all asthma cases. It is more likely to appear in adulthood and affects more females than males.

Experts believe that nonallergic asthma develops due to genetic and environmental factors.

For example, symptoms may occur when a person has exposure to:

👉cold

👉humidity

👉stress

👉exercise

👉pollution

👉irritants in the air, such as smoke

👉respiratory infections, such as a cold, flu, or sinus infection.

⏺ *Allergic asthma* 

Around 8 in 10 people with allergic asthma will also have another allergic condition, such as eczema, allergic rhinitis, or a food allergy.

➡Certain allergens in the environment can trigger allergic asthma. Some common allergens include:

👉pollen

👉pet dander

👉mold spores

👉foods such as milk, eggs, and certain nuts

👉dust mites, cockroaches, and cockroach feces

👉irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke and automobile and chemical fumes

👉heavily fragranced products, such as perfumes

 *Treatment* 

The following tips may also help people with allergic asthma avoid common allergens:

👉Vacuum and dust regularly in order to remove pet dander, dust mites, and cockroach allergens.

👉Keep pets out of bedrooms.

👉Avoid outside activities when pollen or air pollution levels are high.

👉Avoid foods that trigger allergic reactions, such as milk, eggs, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, including hazelnuts, walnuts, and almonds.

👉Reduce the use of harsh chemicals or heavily fragranced products at home.

✳ Although it is common to experience shortness of breath after exercise, exercise-induced asthma may also cause coughing, wheezing, and chest pain, ranging from mild to severe.

Around 90% of people with asthma also experience exercise-induced asthma, with the majority of cases having a mild form that responds well to treatment.

The following factors may also worsen symptoms of exercise-induced asthma:

👉chlorinated pools

👉exposure to polluted air while running or cycling outside

👉cold, dry air while ice skating or playing hockey

👉warm, humid air while doing hot yoga

➡The following tips may also help reduce the risk of an asthma attack during or after exercise:

👉Use an inhaler before exercise and keep it close to hand when exercising.

👉Avoid exercising with a viral infection.

👉Warm up before exercise, to help loosen the airways.

👉Cool down after exercise, to help breathing slow gradually.

👉Wear a scarf over the nose and mouth when exercising outdoors.

👉Avoid exercises that result in labored or heavy breathing.

⏺ Summary

Asthma refers to chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs. It can develop or flare at any age, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.

There are several types of asthma, which experts usually classify by their triggers. Triggers include allergens and exercise.

Regardless of its type, people can usually control asthma effectively with the right treatments.

Talking to an asthma specialist and taking medication correctly can help a person live a full and active life.

*TAMILNADU NURSING*