What is asthma?
Asthma is a medical condition that causes inflammation in your airways, or the tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs as you breathe. This inflammation increases the sensitivity of the tissue in your airways, which in turn, causes them to react more strongly to certain triggers.
These reactions cause muscles to tighten in your chest, which restricts airflow into your lungs. The tissue lining your airways also increases the amount of sticky mucus they secrete, making it even more difficult for air to pass through.
This chain of events may result in asthma symptoms. Sometimes these symptoms pass on their own or with asthma treatment. Asthma attacks occur in cases where these symptoms become more severe.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Common symptoms of asthma include:
- Wheezing or whistling when you breathe
- Coughing fits that may interfere with sleep
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or pain
If you have any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with the team at Kudos Medical.
What causes asthma?
The causes of asthma vary from person to person. Potential asthma triggers include:
- Allergens such as dust, animal dander, mold, and pollen
- Physical activity and exercise
- Irritants such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, or air pollution
- Upper respiratory infections such as a cold or flu
- Sulfites in food and drinks such as dried fruit and wine
Some people only experience asthma when they exercise or play sports, while others may be allergic to substances or pollutants in the air.
How is asthma diagnosed and treated?
You Kudos Medical provider begins with a comprehensive physical exam, during which he carefully listens to your chest and lungs and reviews your medical history. They may require additional testing to diagnose the cause of your asthma, such as allergy tests or a chest X-ray.
If you have asthma, your provider discusses a treatment plan to best address your individual needs. Prevention is key to stopping asthma attacks before they start, so they work with you to help identify triggers and make necessary adjustments to avoid them.
To help control symptoms and manage asthma attacks, your provider may prescribe oral medications and/or an inhaler.
If asthma is interfering with your life, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
