Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways. Symptoms differ for each person, but a key characteristic is that they recur frequently or go on for long periods of time.
Asthma symptoms include | - coughing - wheezing - chest tightness - shortness of breath - difficulty breathing - burning pain when breathing - mucus build-up in the airways |
An attack might bring on other symptoms, such as | - rapid heart rate - trembling - panic - depression - sleep disruptions - inability to think or concentrate - headaches |
Many other medical conditions share the same symptoms as asthma. Your doctor can run tests to diagnose your condition.
What causes it?
There are no definite known causes for asthma, but some factors can predispose you to the disease or trigger it.
Heredity | - family history of asthma, especially in one or both parents |
Irritants | - cold air - aerobic exercise - reflux - dust - mold - pollution, including: · secondhand smoke · thirdhand smoke · perfumes · chemicals, including pesticides · wood smoke · clothes dryer exhaust · car and diesel exhaust · industrial pollution - anything else that irritates the airways |
Allergens | - dust or dust mites - cockroaches or other insects - pollen - plants - animal skin and fur - feathers - mold - chemicals - perfumes - clothes dryer exhaust - any other allergens |
Illnesses | - cold - flu - pneumonia - other viruses - bacterial infections |
Other triggers | - hormones · adolescent · premenstrual · pregnancy · perimenopausal · menopausal - stress and deep emotional shock - sleep deprivation - exhaustion - any other shock to the immune system |
Reactivity and severity are unrelated. How much of a trigger it takes for symptoms to appear is unrelated to how severe the symptoms become.
Is there a cure?
Asthma is a chronic disease with no known cure. Symptoms may worsen or disappear depending on your environment, stress levels, and other trigger factors.
You can improve your chances of staying healthy or minimizing the severity of the illness by managing factors that you can control.
Medication | - research your options · cost · effectiveness · short- and long-term side effects - discuss them with your doctor - take prescribed medication as directed |
Aerobic exercise | - do it properly – it helps - warm up gradually - do your best, but know and respect your limit |
Cold weather | - stay indoors or - wrap a clean scarf made of breathable non-allergenic material around your mouth and nose if you go out |
Reflux | - maintain a healthy weight - avoid foods that give you heartburn - keep portions small, especially for your last meal of the day - stop eating at least two hours before going to bed |
Home (do what you can) | - use alternatives to carpets - put up easily cleaned window blinds - use dust mite proof covers on bedding - use low-emitting paints - find an alternative to a furnace - if you have a furnace · use the best filters for the furnace and vents · change the filters often · have the ducts cleaned at least annually - limit use of strong chemicals and fragrances - ban smoking in and around your home - if you live in multi-unit housing, make sure your building has an effective smoke-free policy - keep your home dust- and mold-free - close windows near clothes dryer vents |
Pets | - avoid pets if you are allergic to them or - get a hypo-allergenic dog breed |
Illnesses | - take proper care of yourself - drink lots of fluids - get plenty of rest |
General health (do the best you can) | - eat a nutritious diet - minimize processed foods - exercise - maintain a healthy weight - get enough rest - manage stress levels - avoid triggers |
Anything else worth a try?
Some people find the following two items helpful. They are meant for use in addition to, and not as a substitute for established asthma care methods.
Chocolate | - should be a minimum of 70% cacao - is an effective cough suppressant - opens up and relaxes airways (but is not a substitute for a rescue inhaler) - has an antidepressant effect |
Zymactive | - is a brand name product made of protein-digesting enzymes - is effective at reducing inflammation - has been used for over 25 years in Europe and Japan - should be avoided if you are pregnant or nursing, due to insufficient research |
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