Asthma affects approximately 20 million people in the United States and over 60% of people with asthma also have allergies. If well controlled, people with asthma can lead normal fully productive lives. Despite this, asthma results in over 14.5 million lost work days and over 5000 deaths every year.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease caused by inflammation, swelling and excessive mucus in the lungs. The lungs become over-reactive to things that are often harmless to others. For people who have asthma, exposure to these triggers cause difficulty breathing, wheeze, cough and chest tightness.
Could you have asthma? Ask yourself these questions:
- Is there a family history of asthma or allergies?
- Are you constantly short of breath and wheezing?
- Do your symptoms get worse in the spring, fall or around animals?
- How about when you are exercising or even just in a rush?
- Is coughing and wheezing keeping you up at night?
- Do you suffer from recurrent or lingering chest colds or bronchitis?
If you are experiencing these symptoms and they are keeping you from work, school or normal activities, you may have asthma.
What do you do if you have asthma?
Asthma requires continuous management to keep it under good control. Every person has their own triggers. Identifying and avoiding your specific triggers is the first and most important step.
Common triggers that can provoke asthma symptoms include:
- Allergens such as pollens, animal dander, dust mites and molds.
- Infections such as colds, sinusitis or pneumonia.
- Exercise, particularly in cold or dry air.
- Air pollutants such as smoke, airborne chemicals and ozone.
- Strong odors including perfumes, household cleaners and paints.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn).
- Strong emotions or anxiety.
Medications can also decrease inflammation and prevent the lungs from overreacting. Because every person responds differently to medications, each person’s medication regimen must be individualized. The key to controlling asthma is to understand your condition so that you can properly manage your symptoms and avoid a severe reaction.
Optimal control of asthma will help you with the following:
- Increase energy levels.
- Participate fully in daily activities and not miss work or school.
- No limitations on exercise due to asthma.
- Sleep through the night.
- No need for “as needed” rescue medications.
- Avoid severe symptoms, emergency room visits or hospitalizations.
- Attain normal lung function.
When to see an allergist
If you are having problems with your breathing, you should see an allergist. You can find out if you have asthma, understand exactly what is triggering your difficulty breathing and come up with an individualized plan to get better. This includes a full evaluation of allergies, home and work environments and lung function. If your asthma is caused by allergies, you may even be able to cure it with immunotherapy, otherwise known as allergy shots.
