Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition in which your lungs become inflamed and swollen, and produce a heavy volume of mucus, making it difficult for you to breathe. Asthma can change over time and it can’t be cured, so it’s vital to understand the symptoms so you can manage them well.

Asthma symptoms include:

• Excessive coughing
• Wheezing attacks
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Whistling sound while exhaling

Because asthma can change, pay attention if your symptoms become more frequent, or you need to use your inhaler more often.

What causes asthma?

While it isn’t exactly clear what causes asthma, it’s attributed to genetics and environmental factors. Asthma can have specific triggers. It can be triggered through exercise, which may worsen in cold or dry air. You may have allergy-induced asthma where air pollutants and irritants such as mold or pollen make your symptoms flare up.

Besides potential asthma triggers, your chances of developing asthma can increase if you’re overweight, smoke, or become exposed to occupational hazards such as chemical fumes or dust.

How do I manage my asthma?

Asthma cannot be prevented, but it’s possible to regain control of your life and prevent asthma attacks by identifying and avoiding your asthma triggers along with always carrying your inhaler. With care and attention, you can prevent your asthma from worsening.

How is asthma diagnosed?

To diagnose asthma, one of NAG Clinics doctors performs a physical exam and discusses your medical history to understand where your asthma symptoms and causes may originate. During the physical exam, your doctor performs a lung function test to determine how much air you can inhale and exhale along with how fast you can exhale.

A spirometry test is a common one where you take a deep breath and blow the air out as fast and hard as you can. Depending on how well the doctor determines your lung function is, they may give you a bronchodilator that opens your airways. They then ask you to perform the test again to see if your lung function improved. This helps in making the most accurate diagnosis.

For comprehensive asthma diagnosis and treatment, call NAG Clinics today or schedule your appointment online.