Overview of Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition where the airways in the lungs are temporarily inflamed and produces excess mucus. This reduces the volume of oxygen that is carried to the lungs. As a result, the physical activities get hindered, speech becomes difficult, and the person exhibits a characteristic “whistling” sound.
It is a condition in which the airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This results in breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing problem.
There are many factors that can trigger asthma, these range from allergic substances to viral and bacterial infections. Furthermore, people with asthma have extremely sensitive airways, so minuscule irritants such as pollen, animal dander (which are similar to dandruff in humans) can cause the airways to be inflamed. Even cold, dry weather potentially triggers asthma to flare up.
Asthma Symptoms
Asthma shows a variety of symptoms. It isn’t the same in all individuals. Its signs and symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Wheezing and coughing
- Shortness of breath
Signs and symptoms that show that your asthma is worsening over time include:
- Increase in breathing difficulty
- Need to use an inhaler more often
There are different types of asthma depending upon certain conditions:
- Exercise-induced asthma, which gets worse in cold and dry air.
- Allergy-induced asthma, which is caused due to pollens, cockroach waste, skin particles, etc.
- Occupational asthma, caused by irritants such as dust, chemical fumes, or gases.
Asthma Prevention
Asthma can be prevented in the following manner:
- Stay away from allergens: If you have allergies or asthma, stay away from the allergens. Allergens increase inflammation in the airways increasing the chances of an asthma attack.
- Avoid Smoke: Smoke worsens asthma. Exposure to tobacco, incense, candles, fireworks, etc. increases the chances of asthma attacks in patients.
- Prevent cold and flu: Stay away from people who have symptoms such as cold and flu. Wash your hands properly before handling things used by a person with respiratory system infection.
To know more about asthma symptoms, prevention and cure, keep visiting BYJU’S website or download BYJU’S app for further reference.
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