Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the bronchi that causes episodes of shortness of breath (dyspnea), difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing (whistling sounds while breathing). Sometimes, patients report a feeling of chest tightness. People with bronchial asthma experience reversible airway obstruction that occurs occasionally. Treatments focus on preventing this obstruction from becoming permanent.

Some people only experience mild breathing discomfort, while for others, the disease significantly interferes with daily activities.
Depending on its severity, asthma is classified into three types:

• Mild asthma: Symptoms appear more than twice a week but not daily. Nocturnal attacks are limited to three or four per month.
• Moderate asthma: Symptoms occur daily and interfere with daily activities. Additionally, they appear at night at least once a week.
• Severe asthma: Attacks cause a significant limitation in daily activities and occur every day, including at night.

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms can vary in severity and presentation depending on the individual and the type of disease. The main signs of this condition appear as sudden attacks that can last from a few minutes to several days. The most significant symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
• Persistent dry cough.
• Wheezing when exhaling.
• Chest pain and tightness.
• Difficulty sleeping.

Causes

Bronchial asthma can have various causes. Based on its origin, there are five types:

• Allergic or extrinsic asthma: Triggered by exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or tobacco smoke.
• Non-allergic or intrinsic asthma: Occurs without the intervention of an allergen. Its development is due to genetic and environmental factors.
• Seasonal asthma: Appears only at certain times of the year, usually alongside allergic asthma.
• Occupational asthma: Mainly manifests in the workplace and is usually linked to exposure to specific substances.
• Exercise-induced asthma: Symptoms appear during or after physical activity.

Risk Factors

Although asthma often begins in childhood, typically due to an allergic reaction, it can affect people of all ages. Some factors that increase the likelihood of developing asthma include:

• Family history of asthma.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke at an early age.
• Being a smoker.
• Having sinusitis and nasal polyps.
• Working with materials such as plastic resins, metals, chemicals, or wood dust.

Complications

One of the main complications of asthma is the inability to lead a normal life, especially when it interferes with sleep and work activities. When the bronchi become excessively narrowed, breathing quality deteriorates.

Prevention

Currently, there is no known way to prevent asthma. However, certain habits can help reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of attacks, such as:

• Avoiding known triggers whenever possible.
• Learning to control breathing.
• Getting vaccinated against flu and pneumonia.
• Following the prescribed medication regimen.

Which Doctor Treats Asthma?

Asthma is diagnosed and treated by pulmonologists, pediatricians, and family physicians. Depending on the cause of the disease and the patient’s condition, allergists may also be involved in the treatment.