Table of Contents
Definition of Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways causing recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.
The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning. Coughing during exercise or activity is also common in people with asthma.1
In severe cases, asthma attacks can result in death due to suffocation as the airways become too narrow for air to pass through.
Asthma affects an estimated 7.1% of adults and 8.4% of children in the United States.1 It is a chronic disease that can be managed through appropriate treatment.
Asthma causes the airways in your lungs to swell and narrow, which makes breathing difficult. People with asthma may have sudden or ongoing symptoms, including shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.
The causes of asthma aren’t fully understood. A combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors appears to be involved.
Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. People who have asthma need to be aware of what triggers their symptoms so they can avoid those triggers. They should also know how to properly use their medication and have an emergency plan in place for when symptoms worsen.
Who Is at Risk for Asthma?
Anyone can develop asthma, but some people are at a higher risk than others. These include:
Children under 5 years of age. Most children with asthma have their first symptoms before they reach 5.
Adults over 20 years of age. While some people seem to “outgrow” asthma (their symptoms disappear), many adults have their first asthma symptoms later in life.
People with a family history of asthma. Asthma tends to run in families, so if someone in your family has asthma, you may be more likely to develop it as well.
People who are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese increases your chances of developing asthma.
African-Americans and Puerto Ricans of all ages. African-Americans and Puerto Ricans are much more likely to die from asthma than Caucasians. African-American children are twice as likely as Caucasian children to have asthma.
If you have a parent with asthma, you are more likely to develop asthma yourself. Children who have allergic conditions like hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema (atopic dermatitis) also are at increased risk for developing asthma.
If you have a genetic predisposition toward asthma and allergies, being exposed to certain environmental triggers can cause your airways to become inflamed and lead to an asthma attack.
Some people may be genetically predisposed toward asthma, which makes them more sensitive to certain triggers that can cause symptoms and attacks. Some of these triggers include:
Dust mites, cockroaches and pets — These allergens present in many homes can lead to the development of allergic asthma in children or worsen symptoms in adults with asthma.
Environmental tobacco smoke — Smoke from a burning cigarette or pipe irritates the airways of smokers and nonsmokers alike. Secondhand tobacco smoke is a significant trigger for many people who have asthma, especially children.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Asthma Types?
Asthma signs and symptoms vary from person to person. Sometimes the same person can have very different signs and symptoms at different times. Signs and symptoms of asthma include:
- Coughing, especially at night, early morning or with exercise
- Wheezing — a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe
- Chest tightness or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
- A cough or wheeze that doesn’t go away, or worsens over time
- It’s important to know what may trigger your asthma symptoms so you can try to avoid them. Asthma triggers are different for everyone, but common ones include:
- Airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste
- Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
- Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
- Cold air
- Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke
When Should You Call a Doctor for an Asthma Attack?
The most common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
You should call a doctor if you have these symptoms on more than an occasional basis.
The symptoms are particularly severe and frequent.
You have other signs and symptoms that could be related to a medical condition causing the asthma. Asthma attacks can also be caused by allergies, a cold or flu, a respiratory infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, exposure to cold air or air pollutants like smoke or fumes, strenuous physical activity, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), emotional anxiety or stress, and some medications.
Your asthma is getting worse despite treatment with your current medications.
You are using a quick-relief inhaler more often than usual.
How Can I Deal With My Asthma?
Asthma can be a debilitating condition that limits your ability to exercise and enjoy life. If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, there are many things you can do to control it and live an active lifestyle.
The first step is to learn as much as you can about the condition. The more you understand asthma, the easier it will be to manage.
Ask your doctor about the type of asthma you have and what triggers the attacks. Some patients respond well to a combination of inhaled medications that keep their airways open, while others may require daily oral medications or shots to reduce inflammation in the body.
Identify your asthma triggers and avoid them whenever possible. Common triggers include cigarette smoke, strong odors such as perfumes, dust and animal dander. During allergy season, stay indoors as much as possible to avoid pollen and other airborne irritants.
Keep a rescue inhaler with you at all times. Ask your doctor whether you should use a long-term preventative medication in addition to your rescue inhaler.
Learn how to properly administer a breathing treatment with a nebulizer or inhaler if medication is needed during an attack. Monitor your breathing and watch for signs of an impending asthma attack, such as tightness in the chest or coughing spells.
Create an action plan with your doctor. Your doctor can help you figure out how to control your asthma. Work together to create a written action plan that details what medicines to take if symptoms get worse. Follow all the steps in your action plan, including:
- Monitoring your symptoms daily
- Taking medicines as prescribed
- Making lifestyle changes (if needed) to reduce triggers
Ways to Breathe Better with Asthma
When you have asthma, your airways can become inflamed and narrowed, making it difficult to breathe. There are many triggers for asthma — allergies, irritants like smoke and perfume, or physical activity — but the end result is always the same: wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and coughing.
Asthma can be managed with medication and a plan of action. But there are also lifestyle changes that can help improve your breathing and quality of life.
Eat right. Having asthma doesn’t mean you have to give up eating well. In fact, eating a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables is good for your overall health. If you’re trying to lose weight, keep in mind that dropping just 10 pounds can make a big difference in your symptoms.
Quit smoking (or don’t start). This is one of the best things you can do for your health if you have asthma — it’s even more important than taking your medications as directed. Smoking weakens your lungs and irritates airways. Secondhand smoke is another trigger for asthma attacks because it contains chemicals that make breathing even more difficult.
Can Asthma Be Cured?
Asthma is a chronic disease affecting the airways in the lungs. These airways, or bronchial tubes, allow air to come in and out of the lungs.
People who have asthma have inflamed airways. The inflammation makes the airways swollen and very sensitive.
The walls of the inflamed airways also produce excess mucus. This can result in an asthma attack, which happens when the muscles around these airways tighten and the airway linings become swollen. This makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. People with asthma will always have it, even if symptoms get better or go away completely.