What is asthma?
When the air pathways of your lungs swell and produce excess mucus, there’s only so much room for air. When too little air gets through, you have an asthma attack, with breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, and an overall shortness of breath. Depending on your particular case, it may be a minor inconvenience, or it could be a life-threatening incident. Not only is asthma incurable, its nature often changes through the stages of your life. Effective treatment for asthma now may not be enough in the future.
The cause of asthma isn’t fully understood, though combinations of genetic and environmental factors are suspected to cause the condition in those who are affected. Most sufferers have one or more triggers that contribute to asthma symptoms, and these vary from patient to patient.
What are some of the symptoms and triggers of asthma?
Every asthma patient experiences the condition differently, whether it’s the combination of symptoms or the number of triggers. Common asthma symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing and/or coughing
- Feelings of tightness or pain in your chest
- Respiratory problems that are aggravated by cold or flu
- Respiratory symptoms that interfere with your daily life, including sleep
Some of the triggers that may cause an asthma attack are:
- Exercise, particularly in cold and dry air
- Allergies to airborne substances like pollen, ragweed, mold, and pet dander
- Chemical fumes or particles present in the workplace
- Respiratory infections, such as cold and flu
- Smoke and other air pollutants
- Reaction to some medications
- Sulfites and other food preservatives
- Stress and experiencing extreme emotions
Is asthma considered a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Yes, it can be. Refractory asthma, that is, asthma that is chronic and doesn’t reverse itself is often placed in the same class as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and some forms of bronchiectasis, a condition where the bronchial tubes suffer permanent damage.
There are also differences. COPD is most often used as a diagnosis for those with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or a combination of both. It’s often first diagnosed later in life, age 40 or older, and often smoking is a factor. Asthma is usually diagnosed in childhood and its origins are often unknown.
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