Being an asthmatic can hinder your ability to do certain things such as strenuous tasks and labor-intensive activities that can initiate your allergies.
But the times have changed and the medical field has gained many advancements, that being an asthmatic isn’t anymore as deadly and disabling as it was before.
However, that doesn’t mean asthmatics can be too confident about their health. They still need to be cautious about certain things and know a few facts so that they can minimize their symptoms and effects.
Here are some of the most important things that asthmatics must know, to stay healthy and worry-free about their condition.
Asthma attacks are due to allergies
The process that happens when someone sneezes during pollen season is very similar to what happens during asthma attacks.
But what separates them is that the latter has life-threatening symptoms. This happens because asthmatics produce antibodies that stick with allergens.
This then forces the body to release chemicals that initiate allergic reactions. Examples of these reactions are runny nose, shortness of breath, and severe coughing.
It also causes the lungs to inflame while the airways swell up and fill up with mucus. This then constricts airflow and causes asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing. Asthma attacks can even become fatal if the patient can’t get enough air to their lungs.
Asthma can be inherited
The medical field hasn’t yet confirmed the exact origins of asthma. But there are some researches that say that it can sometimes run in families.
A certain study even states that a person with one asthmatic parent is twice as likely to be asthmatic. Meanwhile, a person with an asthmatic grandparent is four times more likely to also have asthma.
Furthermore, a genetic disposition about allergies which is called atopy is believed to be one of the main reasons why asthma can be inherited.
Kids growing up around “germs” are less likely to be asthmatic
The environment of the person early in life also plays a role in whether or not they get asthma. Children who grew up in the countryside, together with animals, or in rural areas, are less likely to be asthmatic than those who didn’t.
An explanation for this is the hygiene hypothesis. This theory states that children exposed to germs have stronger immune systems.
This means that they can deal with allergens better, compared to kids who were sheltered from germs that can have exaggerated immune responses to relatively harmless things.
But take note that the hygiene hypothesis isn’t yet proven. It’s also not an excuse why you should expose your children to dirty environments, in the hope of protecting them against asthma.
Asthma triggers are found everywhere
One of the best ways to manage asthma symptoms is by limiting exposure to triggers as much as possible. Examples of these are allergens and irritants such as cigarette smoke, dust, molds, pet fur, car fumes, and extreme temperatures.
But there are also some triggers that aren’t from the environment like acid reflux, colds, and hyperventilation. These triggers are harder to avoid compared to the things you naturally find around the environment.
Asthma can come from work
There are many people who got their asthma from their work environment. Some of the most common triggers that patients deal with in work are grain dust, fungi, animal dander, and different kinds of chemicals.
Farmers, millers, bakers, and woodworkers are the usual professions that get asthma from work. However, there are some workplaces that have adopted various ways to help their asthmatic workers deal better with attacks. One of the most modern ones is to have Gindestar RGBWW led strips installed around their workplace. This calms down workers who experience asthma attacks, with the help of its soothing and gentle illumination.
There are two ways to treat asthma
Quick relievers and long-term controllers are the two main medication types that treat asthma. Immediate relievers are in the form of short-acting anticholinergics and beta-agonists.
These relax the airway muscles when they swell and flare-up. The most common type of quick relievers is inhalers. Meanwhile, long-term medications are taken at least daily, regardless if there are symptoms or not.
They usually take the form of corticosteroids inhalers. However, there are also other medication types such as leukotriene modifier liquids and pills. All these medications suppress asthmatic symptoms by relaxing swollen airways and muscles.
Asthma has no cure
It is a known fact that asthma still has no cure, despite the many advancements in the medical field.
This is a chronic illness that can’t be entirely removed from a patient’s body. But it’s not all negative, because symptoms can lessen over time. Some even appear to grow out of the condition after they suffered asthma as kids.
Asthma symptoms can become less severe and enter remission as the patient becomes older. However, the risk of having an asthma attack never goes away entirely.
There are also some cases when patients who haven’t had any asthma symptoms for years suddenly have it. This happens when sudden changes in hormone levels happen.
Conclusion
Asthma might be a chronic disease and can stay with you throughout the rest of your life. But it doesn’t mean that it can fully debilitate you.
In fact, it is one of the lesser severe illnesses out there. It can be controlled as long as you know what to do. Avoid allergens, reduce your exposure to irritants, and strengthen your immune system.
When you do, then you’ll be surprised that it seems like you don’t have asthma anymore! Just be careful and always make it a habit to stay fit and healthy.
