Breathing Problem and Shortness of Breath - Asthma

December 05, 2019 2389

If you have breathing problem or shortness of breath, it could be Asthma. According to the World Health Organization, 235 million people suffer from asthma around the world and it is the most common chronic disease among children. Asthma is not just a problem for high income or developed countries; it occurs in all countries regardless of level of development because the cause of asthma is very common but over 80% of asthma deaths occurs in low and lower-middle income countries.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic breathing problem caused by swelling (inflammation) of the airways in the lungs. It is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing problem and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. There is no cure for asthma, but management methods can help you to live a normal and healthy life.

When you breathe, the insides of your airways swell even more. This narrows the space for the air to move in and out of the lungs. The muscles that wrap around your airways also can tighten, making breathing even harder.

Symptoms of Asthma:

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. Not all people with asthma have the same symptoms, however, the most common symptoms are:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children)
• Cough lasting more than a week, or that happens during the night or after exercise
• Chronic cough (sometimes coughing is the only symptom you will have)
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing

Causes of Asthma:

There is no particular cause of Asthma. It is a combination of genetic predisposition with environmental exposure to inhaled substances and particles that may provoke allergic reactions or irritate the airways. The common causes are:

• Genetics
• History of viral infections
• Hygiene hypothesis
• Early allergen exposure
• Air Pollution
• Smoking and chew tobacco
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
• Mental stress
• Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)

Risk factors of Asthma:

There are some risk factors also which increase your chances of developing asthma. These include:

• Having a blood relative (such as a parent or sibling) with asthma
• Having another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis
• Overweight
• Smoking
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Exposure to exhaust fumes or other types of pollution
• Exposure to occupational triggers, such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing and manufacturing

Takeaway:

As above mentioned that, there is no cure for asthma, but management methods can help you to live a normal and healthy life. You and your doctor can design a plan and make sure you have to follow his advice without any fail and take medication also. In the meantime you can do breathing exercise and yoga as per your convenience. You can do some home remedies also which are:

• Drink coffee or tea
• Inhale Eucalyptus essential oils
• Quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a healthier diet
• Managing stress

Asthma cannot be cured but proper diagnosis and treatment can give you good results. For some people the symptoms become worse during physical activity or at night. Weather conditions such as extremely dry, wet or windy weather can worsen an asthma condition. In the last decade, the number of people with asthma increased by 15%. So in this condition, you need to take care and manage yourselves then only you can live a healthy life.