Asthma is the condition of the respiratory tract in which constriction of the bronchioles occurs, causing difficulty in breathing. The airways narrow down, and excessive mucus is produced. The severity of asthma differs from person to person. If not treated on time, it can lead be life-threatening. If you have a complaint of shortness of breath, you must visit the best pulmonologist in Lahore.
To prevent asthma, you must avoid exposure to the allergens that trigger it. Asthmatic people may feel completely normal on some days, whereas sometimes asthma may affect their lives hastily.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma?
The signs and symptoms of asthma vary according to the exposure to the allergen, and from person to person. One person may be highly hypersensitive to a certain allergen, whereas the other person may not be. It also depends on other health conditions. If you have an active respiratory tract infection, it may become worse than normal.
The signs and symptoms of asthma are:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- A whistling sound on breathing
- Trouble sleeping due to difficulty in breathing
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Postnasal drip
Asthma may worsen if you have a respiratory tract infection such as cold or flu. Factors that can help indicate worsening of asthma are:
The signs and symptoms of asthma become more frequent and bothersome
A low score on peak flow meter- a device used to check how well your lungs are working
More need to take a reliever inhaler
When You Should Visit Your Doctor?
If you have asthma you may need to visit the doctor frequently for checkups. You can visit your doctor apart from the scheduled appointment.
If you think you have an acute asthma attack that is not getting any better with already prescribed medications. Delaying the visit to the doctor can make the condition complicated. Therefore you must visit the healthcare provider soon.
When you are diagnosed with asthma, you need to get it monitored. You need to work with your healthcare provider to keep it under control. They will hear your chest sounds through a stethoscope and tell the progress of your asthma. According to it, they will prescribe the medications. Regular checkups with the doctor can help lower the long-term severity of asthma. It will also help in reducing life-threatening asthma attacks.
If your asthma is not responding well to already prescribed medications, you must visit your healthcare provider. Do not increase the dose on your own, as they have their adverse effects too. Therefore you must visit the healthcare provider as soon as possible. Do not take your asthma symptoms lightly. If you keep prolonging them, it can result in a life-threatening condition.
What Are The Triggers For Asthma?
Asthma worsens when an asthmatic person is exposed to allergens. Its triggers may differ from person to person. One may be highly sensitive to a certain allergen, whereas another person may not be.
The asthma triggers can be described as:
- Airborne particles such as dust mites, pollens, pet danders, mold spores, and waste of cockroaches
- Physical activity, especially in cold weather
- Respiratory tract infections such as cold and flu
- Expsoure to cold air and air pollutants
- Smoke
- Stress and strong emotions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD- a condition in which the stomach acid regurgitates backward to your esophagus from the stomach.
- Use of certain medications such as aspirin, beta-blockers, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs. Your healthcare provider will prescribe them after calculating about health versus benefit ratio.
The Bottom Line
Asthma needs to be managed well. If you are feeling better, do not leave medications on your own. Instead, you must visit your doctor, so they tell you about it. You must attend the follow-up visits with your healthcare provider. If you have asthma, you can visit the best pulmonologist in Karachi.
