(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.
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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.]