Asthma is a non-communicable, long term, inflammatory disease of the airways to the lungs. Asthma causes airways to narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. Severity of asthma varies from person to person. For some it may be mild but for some it may be life threatening. In severe cases it makes breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound in breath out and shortness of breath.

CAUSES:

The exact cause for asthma is not clear yet but environmental conditions and genetic factors may cause asthma.

Some common triggers for asthma are-

Allergies

Smoking

Sinusitis

Some medications, etc.

RISK FACTORS:

Some factors may increase the chance to develop asthma, such as-

Family history of asthma

Having allergic conditions like eczema, food allergy or hay fever

Chronic lung infection like bronchiolitis

Exposure to tobacco smoke as a child

Mother smoking during pregnancy might cause asthma to the baby.

SYMPTOMS:

In mild asthma some common symptoms are-

Coughing

Wheezing

Shortness of breath

Chest pain or tightness

Rapid breathing

In severe asthma symptoms are like-

Fast breathing with chest retractions

Difficulty inhaling or exhaling fully

Nostrils flare out and moving rapidly.

PREVENTION/TREATMENT:

Firstly, try to identify asthma triggers and avoid exposure to that

Follow asthma action plan or medicines prescribed by a doctor

Prevent cold

Be aware of early signs and symptoms of asthma and learn to deal with it

Make inhalers handy.

 

 

REFERENCES:

https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/know-asthma-to-beat-asthma/

https://www.healthline.com/health/severe-asthma#attacks

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/causes/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653