Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways. It causes wheezing and can make it hard to breathe. Some triggers include exposure to an allergen or irritant, viruses, exercise, and emotional stress.
Asthma causes the inside walls of the airways, or the bronchial tubes, to become swollen and inflamed.
During an asthma attack, the airways swell, the sorrounding muscles tighten, and it becomes difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs.
In 2019, around 7.8%Trusted Source of people in the United States had asthma. There are many types of this condition, and several factors can cause it or trigger an acute attack.
This article looks at the types, causes, and triggers of asthma, as well as how a doctor diagnoses it.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition affecting the airways. It involves inflammation and narrowing inside the lungs, which restricts air supply.
A person living with asthma may experience:
- Tightness in the chest
- Wheezing
- Breathlessness
- Coughing
- Increased mucus production
An asthma attack occurs when the symptoms become severe. Attacks can begin suddenly and range from mild to life-threatening.
In some cases, swelling in the airways can prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs. This means that oxygen cannot enter the bloodstream or reach vital organs. Therefore, people who experience severe symptoms need urgent medical attention.
A doctor can prescribe suitable treatments and advise a person on the best ways to manage their asthma symptoms.
Types of Asthma:
Asthma can develop in many ways and for many reasons, but the triggers are often the same. They can include several broad categories, such as:
- Allergens, including dander and pollen
- Irritants, such as smoke and chemicals
- Exercise
- Other health conditions
- Weather
- Certain medications
- Strong emotions
Causes and triggers:
Health experts do not know exactly what causes asthma, but genetic and environmental factors both seem to play a significant role.
Some factors, such as sensitization to an allergen, can be both a cause and a trigger. The sections below list some other causes and triggers:
Pregnancy
According to a 2020 study, smoking during pregnancy appears to increase the risk of the fetus developing asthma later in life. Some people also experience an aggravation of asthma symptoms while pregnant.
Obesity
According to a 2018 study Trusted Source, obesity is both a risk factor for and a disease modifier of asthma in both children and adults.
A person with obesity may experience more frequent and severe symptoms and a decreased quality of life. They may also not respond to medications as well.
Allergies
Allergies develop when a person’s body becomes sensitized to a specific substance. Once the sensitization has developed, the person will be susceptible to an allergic reaction each time they come into contact with the substance.
Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma. Inhaling an allergen typically causes a person’s asthma symptoms to occur.
Smoking tobacco
According to the ALA, smoking cigarettes can trigger asthma symptoms.
Moreover, secondhand smoke can cause damage to the lungs as well. This can reduce a person’s response to treatment and decrease airflow in the lungs.
Environmental factors
Air pollution, both at one’s home and outdoors, can affect the development and triggers of asthma.
Some allergens inside the house include:
- mold
- dust
- animal hair and dander
- fumes from household cleaners and paints
- cockroaches
- feathers
- Stress
Stress can give rise to asthma symptoms, but so can several other emotions. Joy, anger, excitement, laughter, crying, and other emotional reactions can all trigger an asthma attack.
Some evidence Trusted Source suggests that asthma may share a link with certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Other research Trusted Source has shown that long-term stress may lead to epigenetic changes that result in chronic asthma.
Genetic factors
According to the ALA, a genetic component may play a role in whether an individual will develop cancer during their lifetime.
A person who has one or both parents living with asthma is more likely than others to develop the condition.
Hormonal factors
Around 6.1%Trusted Source of males and 9.8% of females are living with asthma. In addition, symptoms may vary Trusted Source depending on an individual’s menstrual cycle and when going through changes such as menopause.
For instance, during reproductive years, a person’s symptoms may worsen during menstruation compared with other times of the month due to a decrease in progesterone and estrogen levels. Doctors call this perimenstrual asthma.
The relationship between hormones and asthma is complex, and it varies from person to person. Dropping hormone levels associated with menopause may make asthma symptoms worse or cause some people to develop asthma. Other individuals, on the other hand, may notice their asthma symptoms improve after menopause.
Hormonal activity may also impact immune activity, resulting in hypersensitivity in the airways. People with intermittent asthma may also have symptoms some time.
To discover more evidence-based information and resources for asthma & allergies, visit our dedicated hub.
Diagnosis
A doctor will often take into account a person’s symptoms, family and personal medical history, and test results.
When the doctor makes their diagnosis, they will also note the type of asthma a person has based on their triggers.
It can be helpful for a person to keep a log of their symptoms and possible triggers to help the doctor reach an accurate diagnosis. This should include information about potential irritants in the home, school, or workplace.
The sections below discuss some other tests a doctor may conduct to help diagnose asthma:
Physical examination
The doctor will likely focus on the upper respiratory tract, the chest, and the skin. They will likely listen for signs of wheezing, which can indicate an obstructed airway and asthma.
They may also check for:
- a runny nose
- swollen nasal passages
- any growths on the inside of the nose
- They will also check the skin for signs of eczema or hives.
Asthma tests:
The doctor may carry out a lung function test to assess how well the lungs are working.
A spirometry test is the most common type of lung function test healthcare professionals use to diagnose asthma.
A person will need to breathe in deeply and then breathe out forcefully into a tube. The tube links up to a machine called a spirometer, which shows the speed at which they expel the air from their lungs.
Other tests
Other tests for diagnosis include:
Challenge test: This test allows a doctor to assess how triggers such as cold air, exercise, or inhaled medications affect a person’s breathing.
Allergy testing: A doctor may use a skin or blood test to check for a response.
Blood test: A doctor may recommend a blood test to check for elevated eosinophils and immunoglobulin E, which is an antibody the immune system generates in people with allergic asthma.
A doctor may also order a FeNo test, as well as additional tests to rule out other conditions.
Treatment:
Treatment options for asthma are increasing and improving. The goal of treatment is to:
- help a person breathe better
- reduce the number of attacks
- increase the number of activities they can engage in
A person should work with a healthcare professional to develop the most suitable treatment plan for them. Some current options for treatment include quick-relief medication and long-term control medications.
Quick-relief medications help alleviate symptoms, while long-term control medication reduces the number of attacks if a person takes it daily.
Asthma medications currently include:
long- and short-term bronchodilators that relax muscles around the airways
antibiotics for a bacterial pneumonia or bronchitis
anti-inflammatory medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, for long-term maintenance, or oral steroids for an acute attack
a combination of bronchodilators and corticosteroids
Summary:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes swelling in the airways. It can affect people of any age, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.
In most cases, effective treatment can help a person with asthma live a full and active life.
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