respiratory symptoms linked to asthma experienced by children, adolescents, and adults, including wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing
Asthma, a common lung disease, affects millions of people worldwide, including children and adults. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) reports that recurrent respiratory symptoms in children, and symptoms appearing in people over the age of 65, can be signs of asthma.
Symptoms of asthma can vary from person to person, ranging from mild to severe. Common symptoms include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. However, unusual symptoms such as anxiety, chronic cough without wheezing, excessive tiredness, and sighing may also occur.
Asthma can be triggered by viral or bacterial infections, such as colds or sinusitis, and people with asthma have a greater risk of flu-related complications. Asthma symptoms can worsen during a cold, flu, or other respiratory virus, or due to certain triggers such as strong odors, dust mites, and smoke.
Adults with asthma typically develop the condition in childhood, but it can also occur in adulthood. Asthma is one of the most common diseases among pregnant women, and it may increase the risk of preeclampsia, low birth weight, poor fetal growth, and preterm birth if not treated.
In the United States, 15.7 percent of current asthma cases in adults are work-related, according to the AAAAI. Lack of exercise can worsen asthma symptoms in children and adolescents, while excessive exercise can trigger asthma symptoms in some adults.
Asthma attacks, or asthma exacerbations, occur when asthma symptoms get worse for a short period. Symptoms of an asthma attack typically include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness or discomfort, coughing, increased effort to breathe, rapid breathing, and, in severe cases, difficulty speaking, blue or gray lips/fingernails, confusion, or decreased alertness. A particular type, called a silent asthma attack, may not produce wheezing because the airway constriction is so severe that little or no air moves through, causing extreme difficulty breathing and chest tightness without the usual wheezing sound.
To manage an asthma attack, use a rescue inhaler immediately (usually a fast-acting bronchodilator). Follow your asthma action plan if you have one. Sit upright and try to stay calm to help breathing. If symptoms worsen or the rescue inhaler is ineffective, seek emergency medical help immediately.
To prevent asthma attacks, control your environment by avoiding known triggers such as allergens (dust mites, pollen, animal dander), smoke, strong odors, and chemical fumes. Use air purifiers, keep living spaces clean, and wash bedding regularly in hot water. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. Avoid strenuous exercise in cold or dry weather if your asthma is triggered by these conditions.
Stay on medication by taking long-term control medications exactly as prescribed and always carrying your rescue inhaler and replacing medications before expiration. Manage allergies and infections by treating allergies proactively, getting flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to reduce respiratory infection risk, and practicing good hygiene.
Be prepared by teaching family or coworkers to recognize symptoms and respond appropriately. Keep your asthma action plan accessible and know when to seek emergency care.
By recognizing early symptoms and avoiding triggers, individuals can reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks while managing them effectively when they occur.
- Asthma affects not only children but also adults, making it a common lunar disease worldwide.
- persistently recurring respiratory symptoms in children, and symptoms appearing in people over the age of 65, may signify asthma.
- Symptoms of asthma vary from mild to severe and can include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness.
- Anxiety, chronic cough without wheezing, excessive tiredness, and sighing are unusual symptoms that may occur.
- Asthma can be triggered by viral or bacterial infections such as colds or sinusitis, with people with asthma at greater risk of flu-related complications.
- Asthma symptoms can worsen during a cold, flu, or other respiratory virus, or due to specific triggers such as strong odors, dust mites, or smoke.
- Adults with asthma typically develop the condition in childhood, but it can also occur in adulthood.
- Asthma is one of the most common diseases among pregnant women and may increase the risk of preeclampsia, low birth weight, poor fetal growth, and preterm birth if not treated.
- In the United States, 15.7 percent of current asthma cases in adults are work-related.
- Lack of exercise can worsen asthma symptoms in children and adolescents, while excessive exercise can trigger asthma symptoms in some adults.
- An asthma attack, or asthma exacerbation, occurs when asthma symptoms worsen for a short period.
- Symptoms of an asthma attack typically include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness or discomfort, coughing, increased effort to breathe, and rapid breathing.
- In severe cases, difficulty speaking, blue or gray lips/fingernails, confusion, or decreased alertness may occur.
- A particular type of asthma attack, called a silent asthma attack, may not produce wheezing because the airway constriction is so severe.
- To manage an asthma attack, use a rescue inhaler immediately (usually a fast-acting bronchodilator).
- Follow your asthma action plan if you have one, sit upright, and try to stay calm to help breathing.
- If symptoms worsen or the rescue inhaler is ineffective, seek emergency medical help immediately.
- To prevent asthma attacks, control your environment by avoiding known triggers such as allergens, smoke, strong odors, and chemical fumes.
- Use air purifiers, keep living spaces clean, and wash bedding regularly in hot water.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, and avoid strenuous exercise in cold or dry weather if your asthma is triggered by these conditions.
- Stay on medication by taking long-term control medications exactly as prescribed and always carrying your rescue inhaler and replacing medications before expiration.
- Manage allergies and infections by treating allergies proactively, getting flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to reduce respiratory infection risk, and practicing good hygiene.
- Be prepared by teaching family or coworkers to recognize symptoms and respond appropriately.
- Keep your asthma action plan accessible and know when to seek emergency care.
- Due to the increasing risk of climate change, asthma symptoms may worsen due to increased pollution and airborne allergens.
- Asthma is one of the many chronic diseases and medical conditions that require ongoing treatment and management.
- Asthma also falls under the category of respiratory conditions, which can also include colds, flu, bronchitis, and COPD.
- Digestive health, eye health, hearing, health and wellness, fitness and exercise, autoimmune disorders, environmental science, finance, and personal finance are all interconnected with asthma and overall health.
- Industry, medicare, and neurological disorders play a vital role in understanding the impact of asthma on both individual and societal levels.
- In the realm of science, research on asthma and its treatment is ongoing, with significant contributions from Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies.
- Workplace-wellness programs can help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks among employees.
- Mental health, mens' health, womens' health, cardiovascular health, lifestyle, fashion and beauty, food and drink, investing, home and garden, technology, artificial intelligence, relationships, pets, travel, cars, books, education, shopping, social media, movies, and TV are all aspects of daily life that can be influenced by asthma management.
- Sci-fi and fantasy, general news, crime and justice, space and astronomy, cybersecurity, climate change, and pop culture are all topics that can provide insights into asthma's broader societal and cultural implications.
