Published on May 01, 2023 | 5:12 PM
What do Dallas Cowboys' Emmitt Smith, past President Theodore Roosevelt, and the pop singer Pink have in common? They all are a part of the millions of Americans diagnosed with a chronic respiratory condition called bronchial asthma. As of 2020, the CDC noted that over 21 million American adults suffer from asthma, with 40% (around 8 million) regularly experiencing asthma attacks.
Although asthma can be developed at any age, it is mostly known to develop during childhood and leaves children more prone to disease. Symptoms of asthma can make daily activities difficult, but recognizing triggers and getting treatment early makes the condition more manageable.
When it comes to discussing asthma symptoms, it is crucial to understand that the symptoms felt externally are caused mainly by what's going on internally.
According to Asthma: Pathophysiology and Diagnosis, asthma is primarily related to issues with the lungs, such as:
On top of having more sensitive lungs or bronchoconstriction, those with asthma will be more reactive to external stimuli. As per the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, this isn’t necessarily isolated to asthma attacks or episodes but rather can occur regularly in a person’s daily life depending on their individual case in small to larger episodes. In instances where asthma symptoms are regularly felt, they can include:
Feeling these symptoms normally, patients with asthma vary in severity, with some not experiencing symptoms at all and others being restricted by them. However, the majority of cases with asthma are prone to asthma attacks. According to Asthma Basics by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, an asthma attack is most commonly defined by the airways becoming inflamed, swollen, and further narrowed. In some instances, an attack can build up in severity, while others can happen instantly. Symptoms of an asthma attack can be psychological as well as physical and can include some or all of the following:
Instances of asthma are dependent on multiple factors in a person; however, the condition is not entirely understood in this regard. Allergies, genetics, and how your body responds to external stimuli all play a role in the severity of your asthma. However, gender also plays a role in your asthma symptoms throughout your life.
As of now, it is not clear why there is a gendered difference when it comes to asthmatic patients. However, we do know the prevalence of asthma is higher in boys than in girls during childhood, but this trend tends to reverse after puberty, with females having a higher prevalence of asthma than males.
According to “Mechanisms Driving Gender Differences in Asthma,” the disparity has to do with sex hormones or, more specifically, testosterone and 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone versus estrogen and progesterone. As boys progress to men, cases of even severe asthma are more likely to become much more manageable if not unnoticeable, while the opposite is true for when girls progress to women.
Additionally, 30%-40% of women report experiencing harsher asthma symptoms during their menstrual cycles. Interestingly enough, that is not the case for women who are expecting, with many reporting a decrease in asthma symptoms while they're pregnant
According to the American Lung Association, the causes of asthma are still unknown. However, what is known is that your family history and how your body reacts to allergies play a huge role.
With many cases of asthma developing in adulthood, also known as adult-onset or late-onset asthma, it has been identified that these patients suffer more from asthma symptoms. Being overweight or obese, smoking or vaping, having allergies, and regularly being in an environment with irritating stimuli all play a role in asthma developing later on.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, asthma triggers share similarities to what causes a person’s allergies to flare up. Asthma triggers are substances or environmental factors that can worsen or trigger asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals. Common asthma triggers include allergens such as:
Identifying and avoiding asthma triggers can help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms, and may be an important part of an individual's asthma management plan.
Scientists are not exactly sure why asthma is worse during sleep, but a potential cause may be associated with the circadian sleep cycle. According to WebMD, the body naturally releases hormones that decide how a person sleeps, which may cause a reaction in an asthmatic patient's lungs.
Similarly, people often underestimate the accumulation of dust in their vents, carpets, and beds. Those sensitive to dust will notice their allergies reacting to the dust and will then notice their asthma being more severe. Additionally, another indication that a person is reacting to environmental factors is the increase in mucus production, which will cause coughing and a noticeable need for drainage.
To stop asthma triggers at night, it is important to first identify what triggers are causing the symptoms. As mentioned, common triggers at night include dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollen. To reduce exposure to these triggers, take steps by:
Additionally, avoid eating heavy meals before bedtime, as this can exacerbate asthma symptoms due to the possibility of acid reflux or indigestion. Either condition can initiate or exacerbate asthma symptoms, possibly due to the nerve reflex being affected.
It may also be helpful to take any prescribed asthma medications before bedtime as directed by a healthcare provider. Call-On-Doc offers multiple options around the clock for those needing a prescription refill and asthma treatment so you or a loved one will never be without your needed medication.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asthma is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical exam, and lung function tests. A healthcare provider will often ask about symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and may perform a physical exam to listen to the lungs. Lung function tests, such as spirometry, can also help diagnose asthma by measuring how much air a person can exhale and how quickly they can do so. In some cases, additional tests such as allergy tests or chest X-rays may be used to rule out other conditions.
To understand what type of asthma you have, it might be helpful to understand the different types of asthma that there are. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, there are seven:
According to the University of Pittsburg Medical Center, there are four stages of asthma. The stages are based on the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms, lung function, and the frequency of asthma attacks.
According to WebMD, the best treatment for asthma varies depending on the severity of the condition but generally involves a combination of medications, such as albuterol, levalbuterol, singulair, and more. In addition to treatment, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or maintaining a healthy weight as well as avoiding triggers can help maintain and lessen the severity. It is important for individuals with asthma to work with a healthcare professional to develop a personalized treatment plan.
There are several methods to get quick relief from asthma, though most often, quick relief only coincides with mild to medium symptoms. According to WebMD and Insider, some of the most effective are:
If asthma goes untreated, it can lead to ongoing inflammation in the airways, which can cause irreversible damage to the lungs over time. This can result in a decline in lung function, increased risk of respiratory infections, and potentially life-threatening asthma attacks.
English graduate and Call-On-Doc’s medical resource guide, Wayne C. Hahne is an experienced and passionate medical education content expert. Through diligent research, provider interviews and utilizing the industry's leading resources for wellness information, it is Mr. Hahne’s personal mission to educate the general public on medical conditions with in-depth and easy-to-understand written guides.
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