What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disorder of the respiratory air-passage. Asthma is quite a common problem affecting a large number of people in our country – age being no bar.

What happens during an asthma attack? The inside wall of the airways become narrow and inflamed. They bloat up and get filled with fluid and mucus cells. Obstruction is further caused by tightening of muscles that surround the airways. This situation is called bronchospasm. In some people with asthma, the mucus glands in the airways produce thick mucus in large quantities, further obstructing the airways.

Some common warning signs include:

* Coughing – this often becomes worse at night or early in the morning.
* Wheezing – breathing with a squeaky sound and with great difficulty.
* Shortness of breath – due to insufficient supply of air
* Fast and/or noisy breathing along with panting.

Other symptoms of asthma include:

* Sneezing
* Mood swings
* Headache
* Stuffy and blocked nose
* Chin/ throat sensitivity and itching
* Feeling of tiredness
* Trouble in sleeping

Symptoms vary from one person to another, and they also differ in severity from person to person. Sometimes symptoms can be so serious that they become life threatening.

Different tests used to diagnose asthma:

Different lung pulmonary tests that may be conducted in diagnosing asthma. Some of them include:

* Bronchial provocation test
* Routine pulmonary function test
* Exercise induced bronchoconstriction test
* Allergy intradermal skin test – although allergy tests aren’t used to diagnose asthma, they can help identify substances that may be causing or worsening asthma.
* Allergy prick skin test – to identify the sources of sneezing
* Bone density test
* Bone scan
* CT scan of sinuses
* Exercise tolerance test

What are the causes of asthma?

It is difficult to conclude as to what causes asthma. We can generally say that a person is prone to asthma if-

* there is a family history of asthma, eczema or any type of allergy.
* many aspects of modern lifestyles – such as changes diet, surrounding environment, pets staying in the same house.
* smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of the child developing asthma
* children whose parents smoke are more likely to develop asthma in the long run
* environmental pollution can make asthma symptoms worse
* asthma may also develop after a viral infection or any other type of infection.
* irritants or triggers found at home or workplace may lead to a person developing asthma.

Asthma is controllable, being diagnosed with asthma does not mean that you stop living a healthy and normal life.

While taking your medical history, your health professional will ask about your symptoms and when they occur. A physical examination will not reveal signs of asthma unless you are having symptoms. Your health professional will listen to your chest for signs of reduced airflow in the bronchial tubes and will look for signs of sinus problems or allergies.

Spirometry measures how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs and how much air is moved. The test should be used to help your health professional decide whether airflow is blocked because of inflamed bronchial tubes from asthma and to assess its severity. The test is also useful in determining your best level of lung function when asthma symptoms are not present.

A chest X-ray may be done to see whether another disease is causing your symptoms. Blood tests may reveal evidence of allergies that could cause asthma episodes.

You will need routine checkups with your health professional to monitor the condition and determine treatment.

How Is Asthma Treated?

Asthma is treated by developing a management plan. This consists of a daily treatment plan to prevent and control airway inflammation and an action plan that describes what to do during an acute asthma episode. Medications play a main role in the treatment of asthma, especially Inhaled corticosteroids and beta-agonists. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding allergens that cause your asthma symptoms are also important.

What Are The Symptoms Of An Acute Asthma Episode?

Symptoms of an asthma episode can be mild to severe and may include:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Rapid, shallow breathing or difficulty breathing
• Sleep disturbance
• Shortness of breath
• Tiring quickly during exercise

Factors that can develop or worsen the symptoms of on episode include:

• Having a cold or another type of respiratory illness, especially one caused by a virus.
• Exercising in cold weather.
• Cigarette smoke and air pollution.
• Exposure to allergens, such as dust mites and animal dander.
• Being around chemicals or other substances at work [occupational asthma).
• Expressions of strong emotion, such as laughing or crying hard.
• Hormones, such as those involved in pregnancy and menstrual periods.
• Many people have symptoms that become worse at night (nocturnal asthma).