5 Symptoms of Asthma You Should Be Aware of
Symptoms of Asthma
Are you coughing, especially at night, during exercise or when laughing? Did you ever consider you might have asthma? Symptoms of Asthma can vary from person to person but it can also vary over time, with few or no symptoms when asthma is well-controlled.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by temporary narrowing of the airways, which have the role of allowing oxygen to enter the lungs.
The reason it takes years to diagnose asthma or allergies is that they are confused with colds. Patients often confuse the symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis with colds.
Asthma symptoms may persist, be constant, but may also be episodic, occurring occasionally with exposure to certain triggers. Spring and autumn, especially worsens asthma symptoms in patients suffering from seasonal allergies caused by pollen or mold. Asthma symptoms may worsen during certain activities or over time.
Most common asthma symptoms:
- Hard breathing (wheezing) – Shortness of breath, or wheezing, is a common symptom among asthmatics. This symptom occurs as a result of inflammation of the airways, which causes them to narrow.
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) – Dyspnoea, which is shortness of breath, can occur as a symptom of asthma, especially during an asthma attack.
- Dry cough – Asthmatic patients often have an unproductive dry cough.
- Chest pressure – Due to inflammation and narrowing of the airways, the asthmatic patient may feel pressure in the chest area.
- A cold that does not go away or that comes back often can be the first sign of an allergic rhinitis or asthma. The diagnosis can be based on mild symptoms: sneezing, itchy nose, eyes, persistent cough or suffocation. But, often, the diagnosis is made after a severe episode of asthma.
Risk factors for asthma attacks
- Allergenic factors such as: pollen, mold, animal hair
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Cigarette smoke
- Inhalation of cold, dry air
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Stress
Symptoms of Asthma – How can you test yourself for asthma?
Some of the most common techniques used to diagnose asthma include:
Spirometry – this simple breathing test estimates the amount of inhaled and exhaled air, thus managing to discover the narrowing of the airways.
Peak-expiratory flow test – this test can measure how quickly air is removed from the lungs, while assessing the degree of obstruction of the bronchi.
But for this, you need to see a doctor!
Be well, my friend!
Backed by science!
https://www.webmd.com/asthma/what-is-asthma
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653
