Have you ever felt like you just can’t catch your breath, like something is squeezing your chest or making it hard to breathe in? If so, you might be familiar with what an asthma attack feels like. If not, it’s still important to understand ‘what is asthma’. According to the World Health Organisation, asthma affected over 262 million peopsle worldwide.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic and long-lasting health problems. It can show up at any age, though it often begins in childhood. Though it is not curable, the good news is that with the right treatment and knowledge, you can live well with asthma.
What Is Asthma?
Let’s start with the basics.
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your lungs. More specifically, it causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs.
When you breathe normally, air moves freely through your airways. But if you have asthma, your airways are often inflamed and overly sensitive. That means they can react strongly to certain triggers like allergens, smoke, or cold air by:
- Becoming swollen and tight
- Producing extra mucus
- Making it harder for air to move in and out
The symptoms of asthma may vary from person to person. The common symptoms of asthma include:
- Shortness of breath, breathing difficulty
- Wheezing while exhaling or inhaling
- Coughing, especially at night or in the early morning
- Chest tightness or pressure, making it difficult to breath
Sometimes, these symptoms are mild, but they can worsen and become more serious. This condition is known as an asthma attack.
What Causes Asthma?
The exact cause of asthma is still not fully understood. But it is believed to be usually caused by a mix of genetics and environmental factors.
If asthma runs in your family, say your parents or siblings have it, you’re more likely to develop it. But even if no one in your family has it, certain things in your environment can trigger asthma or make it worse.
Common asthma triggers include:
- Allergens like pollen, pet dander, mold, and dust mites
- Irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, perfumes, or cleaning chemicals
- Respiratory infections like the common cold or flu
- Exercise, especially in cold or dry air
- Changes in weather, especially cold temperatures
- Strong emotions or stress, which can affect your breathing
- Certain medications, such as aspirin or beta-blockers (consult your doctor before taking any medicine)
Everyone’s asthma is different. One person might get triggered by pets, while another is fine around animals but can’t tolerate smoke or heavy exercise.
Is Asthma Dangerous?
Asthma can be serious, but here’s the important part: it’s manageable. Most people with asthma, even those with severe symptoms, can live full, active lives with the right care and precautions.
However, untreated or poorly managed asthma can lead to:
- Frequent visits to the emergency room
- Long-term damage to the lungs
- Life-threatening asthma attacks
That’s why recognising your symptoms, identifying your triggers, and following your treatment plan is so important.
How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
If you think you might have asthma, or if you’re having trouble breathing regularly, it’s important to talk to a doctor. They’ll usually ask about your symptoms and your medical history and perform a few tests.
The most common test is spirometry, which measures how much air you can breathe in and out and how fast you can blow it out. It helps doctors see how well your lungs are working.
Sometimes, other tests like peak flow measurements, allergy testing, or even chest X-rays are used to rule out other conditions.
How Is Asthma Treated?
There’s no cure for asthma yet, but you can definitely control it. Asthma treatment usually involves a mix of medications and lifestyle changes.
1. Quick-relief medications
These are used when you’re having symptoms or during an asthma attack. However, it is always advisable to consult your doctor when looking for medication.
2. Long-term control medications
These are taken daily to reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms. Your doctor will help you choose the right plan based on how often you have symptoms and how severe they are.
How to Manage Asthma?
Managing asthma means being proactive about your health. Here’s how you can take control:
Know Your Triggers: Keep a diary or note when your symptoms of asthma flare up. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns.
Take Your Medication As Prescribed: Even if you feel fine, it’s important to stick with your long-term treatment. Skipping medications can lead to more flare-ups.
Use a Peak Flow Meter: This handheld device helps you track how well your lungs are working day-to-day. It can alert you when a flare-up is coming, even before you feel symptoms
Create an Asthma Action Plan: Work with your doctor to build a simple, written plan that tells you:
What medications to take daily
What to do if symptoms start
When to call your doctor or go to the ER
Avoid Smoke: If you smoke, quitting can dramatically improve your lung health. Even secondhand smoke can be a powerful trigger for asthma.
Stay Active: Exercise is good for your lungs and overall health. Just be sure to warm up, avoid triggers, and use your inhaler before workouts if needed.
When Should You Get Help?
Call your doctor or seek emergency help if:
- You’re using your rescue inhaler more than twice a week
- Your symptoms suddenly get worse or don’t improve with medication
- You have trouble speaking or walking due to shortness of breath
- Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray
Don’t wait. Asthma attacks can become life-threatening very quickly.
Conclusion
Asthma is a lifelong condition, but you can live a healthy, normal life with it. Millions of people, including athletes, celebrities, and kids, manage asthma every day. You can too.
Understanding ‘what is asthma’, knowing your triggers, taking the right medications, and keeping a plan in place can make a big difference.
The more you learn, the more confident you’ll feel and the more control you’ll have over your breathing and your health.
See Also: What Is High Blood Pressure: Diagnosis, Treatment, And Control
Dr. Ravi Bharathi
Dr. Ravi is a practising physician at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, with extensive clinical experience in patient care and hospital medicine. As the Founder & CEO of HealTether, he applies his medical expertise and insight into healthcare systems to lead the development of innovative solutions that enhance care delivery, accessibility, and patient outcomes.
Dr. Ravi Bharathi
Dr. Ravi is a practising physician at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, with extensive clinical experience in patient care and hospital medicine. As the Founder & CEO of HealTether, he applies his medical expertise and insight into healthcare systems to lead the development of innovative solutions that enhance care delivery, accessibility, and patient outcomes.
