Do you sneeze frequently? Is it accompanied by wheezing (or a whistling sound) and shortness of breath? Do you get a runny nose after exercising in cold air or breathing smoke, dust, fumes, or even a strong smell? Then there is every possibility that you could be suffering from asthma. While it causes minor troubles for some people, for others, it can be a significant problem that interferes with everyday life. 

Asthma is a medical condition with several root causes. It is a lifelong medical condition requiring medications and effective management. An asthma attack can be sudden and occurs when symptoms become severe. These attacks can range from mild to life-threatening.

You may not have all the symptoms, and not all persons experience the same symptoms. It is possible to have different symptoms at different times. The sign also varies from one attack to the next attack.

What WHO says

In a 2019 report, WHO estimated that 235 million people were affected by asthma. It has caused 461000 deaths. The report also said that asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. Over 80 % of asthma deaths occur in developing and under-developed countries.

Symptoms  

• Stiffness in the chest 
• Wheezing 
• Breathlessness 
• Cough
• Severe mucus production 
• Tightness of neck and chest muscles  
• Finding it difficult to talk  
• Anxiety and panic
• Pale face, blue lips/fingernails

Causes and Reasons

It causes your airways to swell or get inflamed. This makes the airway narrow and makes it hard to breathe. Sometimes the swelling in the airways blocks oxygen from reaching the lungs, thus preventing oxygen from entering the bloodstream and vital organs. In such cases, there is a need for urgent medical care. 

Treatment 

Like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma cannot be cured; it can only be controlled. With time the nature of asthma changes. Hence tracking symptoms and signs is significant. Treatments are adjusted according to these changes.

Treatments help to breathe better, reduce the number of attacks and increase the number of activities you can engage in. While quick medications control symptoms, long-term medicines can decrease the number of seizures. 

Consult your doctor at Amrita Hospitals for a detailed medical examination and treatment.