What are the causes, symptoms and treatment methods of Asthma? How can you manage it?
Asthma occurs as a result of inflammation and narrowing of the airways without any microorganisms. It is more common in boys and adult women. Asthma can be controlled with regular medication use and doctor check-ups.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lung airways, that is, the bronchi. The symptoms of asthma can be confused with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). These complaints caused by asthma occur from time to time, especially due to seasonal changes. These complaints can be controlled with or without medication. Since asthma is a chronic disease, regular medication use and medical check-up are important.
Causes of asthma
There are many causes of asthma. Among these;
- Genetic predisposition,
- smoking,
- Overweight and obesity,
- House dust mites, pollen, mold fungi and animal dander,
- Chemicals,
- Air pollution
If asthma is thought to be caused by allergies, skin and blood tests should be performed to determine which substances the patient is allergic to. Avoiding these substances forms the basis of treatment. If the patient has a pollen allergy, it is recommended not to go out as much as possible during periods when pollen is high and to use a mask when necessary.
Symptoms of asthma
Cough, feeling of tightness and pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, wheezing and whistling sounds while breathing are among the symptoms of asthma. If these symptoms recur, resolve spontaneously or with asthma sprays, and especially appear to wake you up from sleep, the possibility of asthma should come to mind.
Should be kept under control
In asthma, there is a reversible airway stenosis. The aim of the treatment is to control asthma with regular medication use and routine physician control. Since it is a chronic disease, it cannot be completely cured. Patient and physician cooperation is very important in asthma treatment. It is important to protect a patient with allergic asthma from allergens. Inhalation, that is, spray-like medications taken by breathing, are used in the treatment of asthma. These sprays may contain cortisone or respiratory stimulants together or separately.
The amount of cortisone in asthma medications is low
Asthma sprays are medications used by inhalation and they contain cortisone, but the cortisone amounts are very low. This cortisone is effective locally in the bronchi, its passage into the blood is minimal, so it does not have serious side effects. It does not cause the known side effects of cortisone, such as weight gain, skin deterioration, cataract development, stomach disorders or osteoporosis.
Asthma patients should not stop their medications at their own discretion
After treatment begins, regular medical check-ups and regular medication use, if necessary, are recommended. Asthma is a disease that can occur with crises and attacks. For this reason, the patient’s medications should always be accessible. Asthma can be severe in some patients. There are special treatment methods for these patients. These special treatment methods, called biological agents, must be obtained from centers specialized in the field of asthma.
What should allergic asthma patients pay attention to?
Allergic asthma patients should avoid spending as much time outside as possible in spring and autumn, when pollens are dense. Even if you have to go out, a mask should be used. A patient who is allergic to house dust mites should avoid this allergen and take care of it throughout life.
An asthma patient who is allergic to animal dander should be careful to avoid exposure to this allergen. A smoker should quit smoking. Efforts should be made to stay away from strong and heavy odors that may cause an asthma attack. Asthma patients should use their medications regularly and not skip doctor’s check-ups.
Latest scientific researches on Asthma
Below you can find more information about scientific articles and research on asthma treatment:
- “Treatment strategies for asthma: reshaping the concept of asthma management” – This article discusses the causes and barriers to asthma treatment and strategies that limit the success of asthma control in real-life situations. Also discussed are the benefits of current treatments and how they lead to the GINA 2019 asthma treatment and prevention guidelines. [1]
- Asthma research conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) – These studies focus on developing new treatment approaches for people with severe asthma. Researchers have discovered new biological pathways that lead to asthma.[2]
- World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on asthma – On this page you can find information about the basics, symptoms and treatment of asthma. [3], [4]
References:
- Papi, A., Blasi, F., Canonica, G.W. et al. Treatment strategies for asthma: reshaping the concept of asthma management. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 16, 75 (2020). Doi:10.1186/s13223-020-00472-8
- Asthma Research: NHLBI research that really made a difference. NIH (March 24, 2022)
- Asthma Key Facts. World Health Organization (WHO). 4 May 2023
- Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396(10258):1204-22