Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. It affects over 18 million people in the US and is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Symptoms of asthma are the most common cough, chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
There are several triggers for asthma that cause airway irritation and lead to an increase in asthma symptoms. These include:
- Indoor and outdoor allergens
- Respiratory infections
- Air pollution
- Weather changes
- Exercise
- Smoking/exposure to smoke
- Strong odors/perfumes
- Certain foods/ food additives
- Acid reflux
- Medications
Asthma symptoms can range from mild to severe and interfere with daily life. Depending on the severity of your asthma, any of these factors can lead to an asthma attack. Asthma attacks can begin abruptly, or asthma symptoms may get increasingly worse over a few days.
Thankfully, there are several ways to manage asthma and asthma attacks. Your doctor may start by identifying triggers through activity logs and allergy tests so the triggers can be avoided. Then, a medication regimen may be prescribed to control your symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
Speak to your doctor about the best way to manage your asthma symptoms. For tips on how to reduce exposure to allergens, check out our blog post about allergies!
