Do you want more information about treating asthma after your doctor diagnosed you with it?
What is the treatment for asthma?
There is no cure to cure asthma completely, but treatment helps control the annoying symptoms caused by the disease.
The doctor prescribes the appropriate dose for treatment for each case according to the severity of the symptoms. Treatment depends mainly on sprays that may require daily use and are divided into two types:
- Bronchodilator sprays: It helps to clear the airway to alleviate symptoms, such as: Salbutamol.
- Steroid sprays: It reduces inflammation in the airway and reduces the risk of an asthma attack, such as: Beclometasone.
In the following paragraphs, we will review with you more information about asthma, through which you will learn the importance of adhering to preventive inhalers, in addition to the causes of the disease and the factors that cause irritation. Familiarity with all these aspects will help you deal with the disease in the correct way.
Asthma symptoms
Severity varies Asthma symptoms Among those infected, as we mentioned previously, but it generally increases at night or during exercise, and the most common symptoms include the following:
- Frequent coughing.
- Wheezing, a whistling sound while breathing.
- Shortness of breath and difficulty.
- Feeling of tightness and pain in the chest.
- Difficulty sleeping due to shortness of breath.
If you suffer from the above symptoms constantly and have not been diagnosed with asthma before, we ask that you consult a chest doctor to check on your condition and not neglect the symptoms you feel.
It is worth noting that the symptoms of an asthma attack include all the symptoms we just mentioned, but they are more severe and require immediate intervention.
Book your consultation now at عیادة أمراض الجهاز التنفسي At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
What are the causes of asthma?
Many factors are involved in increasing the chances of developing asthma, as there is no single specific cause of infection. We list these factors for you as follows:
- A family member has asthma, and this indicates that there is a hereditary factor for the condition and not that asthma is a contagious disease, as this information is wrong.
- The person suffers from allergic diseases.
- Respiratory infection as a child or exposure to pollutants, such as cigarette smoke.
- Exposure to allergens, such as dust, pollen, and chemicals.
- Excess weight beyond the normal limit, as it contributes to increasing the chances of developing asthma.
What are the complications of asthma?
Asthma may cause some complications that include the following:
- Sleep disturbance and poor quality.
- التعب والإرهاق.
- Decreased athletic performance.
- Impact on academic or job performance.
- Decreased efficiency with which the lungs work.
- Impact on mental health.
Learn about: The difference between asthma and shortness of breath
Types of asthma
Types of asthma vary in terms of causes, triggers, and symptoms as well, and include:
- Allergic Asthma: It occurs due to an allergy to dust, pollen, and animal fur, and its symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing in the chest when breathing.
- Nocturnal Asthma: It is a type of asthma whose symptoms increase at night due to esophageal reflux or dust allergy. Its most common symptoms are coughing and shortness of breath during sleep.
- Non-allergic asthma: This type is not associated with allergies, but is affected by exposure to cold air or infections, and its symptoms are similar to allergic asthma.
- Infectious Asthma: It occurs due to exposure to infections and respiratory infections such as the common cold, and its symptoms include persistent cough and severe influenza symptoms.
- Severe Asthma: It is one of the most severe types of asthma that does not respond easily to treatment and is linked to genetic factors, and its symptoms include severe and recurrent attacks.
Asthma triggers
Avoiding asthma irritants is one of the most important steps in treating and controlling the symptoms of the disease. The factors that lead to irritation may differ from one person to another, but they should be avoided in general, especially if the person is certain that they irritate his asthma. We list for you the following:
- Cigarette smoke.
- Fumes resulting from incense and firewood.
- Chemical detergents.
- Pollen.
- الغبار.
- Animal hair.
We also add to your information that psychological stress may lead to an increase in asthma symptoms, in addition to respiratory infections.
What should an asthma patient do?
Anyone who suspects he has asthma or any respiratory disease should consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment, which must be adhered to even in the absence of attacks.
The asthma patient must also follow the doctor’s instructions regarding the inhalers that should be used in the event of attacks, in addition to avoiding irritants as much as possible to reduce the chances of them occurring. Finally, he must commit to regular follow-up with the doctor and ask him about everything that is on his mind regarding the disease.
Types of asthma medications
Types of asthma medications are divided into two main types to control asthma symptoms and reduce inflammation:
Long-term asthma medications
Long-term asthma medications used daily to control bronchitis and reduce attacks include:
- Inhaled corticosteroids such as fluticasone.
- Long-acting beta agonist medications such as formeterol.
- Theophylline to dilate the bronchi and is used with caution due to side effects.
Emergency medications
These are medications that the doctor prescribes to deal with acute attacks and control them quickly, and they include:
- Short-acting beta agonist medications such as salbutamol.
- Short-acting anticholinergic medications such as ipratropium.
- Injection medications used for severe asthma, such as omalizumab.
Disclaimer..
No medication for treating asthma should be taken or prescribed except by a specialized doctor, after properly diagnosing the patient and knowing the appropriate medication for his condition.
Tips to help treat asthma
As we mentioned, asthma is a chronic disease that requires extreme caution to control and manage symptoms. Therefore, Al Mousa Specialist Hospital offers you tips that help treat asthma and reduce symptoms, including:
- Maintain your respiratory system:
Through proper heating of the body in winter, staying away from places of infection, and making sure to get the influenza and pneumonia vaccine. - Avoid triggers:
This is done by avoiding places with dust or furry animals, making sure to constantly clean the house of dust, and using some devices that help purify the air. - Make sure to take your medications regularly:
Especially bronchodilator sprays, antihistamines, in addition to immune boosting medications. - Exercise with caution:
You can do some light exercises and avoid strenuous sports, while using the spray prescribed by your doctor immediately before exercise. - Make you a balanced diet:
The best foods for asthma patients are vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, natural white honey, in addition to omega-3 supplements. - Do not leave the doctor's follow-up:
You should see your doctor from time to time to evaluate the improvement achieved by the prescribed medications, as some necessary changes may occur.
هل مرض الربو خطير؟
No, in many cases asthma is not dangerous, but the risk increases if treatment is left or the disease is not managed properly. The patient may be exposed to several complications, including:
- Severe asthma attacks with difficulty breathing.
- Failure to respond to medications and sprays with blue lips.
- Lack of oxygen, which affects brain and heart functions.
- The condition worsens when one neglects to avoid asthma triggers or irritants.
What drinks are beneficial for asthma?
Studies indicate that caffeine may help relieve asthma symptoms, and drinks that contain it include the following:
- القهوة.
- الشاي.
- Cocoa.
Frequently asked questions
What is the beneficial drink for asthma?
There are some drinks recommended by doctors that are beneficial for asthma, along with taking prescribed medications, of course, the most important of which are ginger, because it is an anti-inflammatory and helps calm the bronchial tubes and relieve cold symptoms, and guava leaf drink, which soothes coughs.
How do I know if I suffer from asthma or allergies?
You can know whether you suffer from asthma or allergies through symptoms. Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing with chest pressure, and frequent coughing attacks, which are concentrated in the lower respiratory tract. As for allergy symptoms, which include sneezing and itching in the nose, they are concentrated in the upper respiratory tract.
What is the difference between asthma and allergic cough?
The difference between asthma and an allergic cough lies in the causes and symptoms. Asthma is a chronic condition that includes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi when exposed to triggers such as smoke, strong odors, or viral infections. An allergic cough includes a dry cough and throat irritation with continuous sneezing, when exposed to dust, animal dander, or strong perfumes.
What allergies cause chest tightness?
There are many types of allergies that cause chest tightness and bronchial irritation, the most prominent of which are pollen allergy, also called hay fever, animal dander allergy, and strong odor allergy.
We ask you to adhere to all instructions related to asthma treatment that your doctor has prescribed to you, appropriate to your condition. We also remind you of the importance of avoiding irritants that cause attacks.
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