Asthma develops at any age, but children are more prone to the disease than adults. Once it sets, the condition is long lasting, affecting the airways and lungs, with the person suffering different degrees of coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing. Doctors believe that asthma is hereditary and for many years, people are able to manage the condition fairly well. Many do not look at asthma as a serious chronic disease. But because over 235 million people in the world suffer from asthma attacks, it's still a very glaring health concern. In extreme cases, especially if the condition is not given proper care and treatment, an asthma attack may result to death.
Nature of asthma
Symptoms of asthma vary with each attack for every person who has it. Some experience occasional triggers, while others struggle with the condition almost every day. Some children overcome this and won't suffer from attacks for many years. Medical experts cannot exactly pinpoint the real cause of asthma, nor have they found the best treatment for the condition. At best, the triggers are mostly just "controlled" than "cured" and there are plenty of medication and tools for this. People who suffer from asthma have airways that are very sensitive and the attacks can be triggered by anything, including:
- Allergens like cat hair, scents and smokes
- Cold air or very warm weathers
- Some food variants
- Too much physical activity
- Obesity
- Stress
Difference between childhood asthma and adult asthma
The causes and symptoms for childhood asthma and adult asthma have little difference, but it would not be very easy to detect and diagnose the condition in children. A cough can be quickly disregarded as part of any other sickness a child experiences now and then. Asthma symptoms may often mimic other types of illnesses. Consult a doctor, however if the condition:
- Develops into a hard and ratty cough that affects breathing
- Progresses into pneumonia or bronchitis
- Includes shortness of breath
- Affects the child's disposition and leads to irritability and discomfort
A physician should also check children who complain about breathing difficulties at night, or after rough playing. These are usually hidden symptoms of asthma. Unlike childhood asthma attacks, which often come and go, adults suffering from this condition manifest persistent and lingering symptoms. Hence, maintenance medication may be needed to keep triggers under control. If an adult experiences frequent asthma attacks in middle age, lung function may slowly diminish that leaving it untreated could lead to fatal consequences.
How to best manage asthma
Controlling or reducing asthma attacks is possible with knowing what the triggers are, first and foremost. If you’re aware of these, then take the necessary steps:
- If the triggers are caused by allergens, make your house allergy-proof.
- If triggers are caused by food, then avoid eating the ones that can contribute to the symptoms.
- If triggers are from the environment, adjust your activities so that you will not have to deal with debilitating attacks later.
Religiously take your prescribed medicines and don’t make any changes to this, unless told by the doctor. Be aware of the changes in your lungs, and don’t hesitate to visit your physician, should you notice any abnormalities.
