Understanding Asthma — Its Symptoms, Trigger Factors, And More

Asthma causes respiratory symptoms, limitation of activity , and flare – ups ( Attacks ) that sometimes require urgent health care and at times may be fatal.

Understanding Asthma

Source : Canva

(By: Dr Saibal Ghosh)

Asthma is a common and potentially serious chronic disease that imposes a substantial burden on patients , their families and the community. It causes respiratory symptoms, limitation of activity , and flare-ups (attacks) that sometimes require urgent health care and at times may be fatal.

Effective Management Of Asthma:

Fortunately, it can be effectively treated, and most patients can achieve a good control if diagnosed early and treated properly. When asthma is under good control, patients can avoid troublesome symptoms during the day and night , need little or no reliever medication, have productive and physically active lives, have normal or near-normal lung function and avoid serious flare-ups (exacerbations or attacks).

Symptoms To Watch For:

Asthma causes symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and cough that vary over time in their occurrence, frequency and intensity. Mostly increases with seasonal variation, exposure to dust , allergens and other triggers. May be associated with allergic symptoms like sneezing , running nose, etc.

These symptoms are associated with variable expiratory airflow (i.e., difficulty breathing air out of the lungs) due to bronchoconstriction (airway narrowing ), airway thickening , and increased mucus.

Common Asthma Trigger:

Factors that may trigger asthma are viral infections; domestic and occupational allergens (e.g., house dust mites, pollens, and cockroaches); tobacco smoke; exercise and stress. These responses are more likely when asthma is uncontrolled. 

Asthma flare-ups (also called exacerbations or acute attacks ) may occur , even in people taking asthma treatment. When asthma is uncontrolled, or in some high-risk patients , these episodes are more frequent and more severe and may be fatal. Diagnosis is mainly done by proper history , looking for contributing factors and properly performed spirometry (pulmonary function tests ).

A stepwise approach to treatment takes into account the effectiveness of available medications, their safety and their cost. Right treatment plan , including medications (mostly inhalation therapy), avoiding triggers & good monitoring. 

Dr Saibal Ghosh is MBBS, MD (Chest medicine) Consultant Pulmonologist, Bronchoscopist and Intensivist at Techno India DAMA Hospital.

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]