People who are diagnosed with asthma suffer from symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. However, every case of asthma isn’t similar to the other, i.e. each person has different kind of issues to deal with. A lot of times, people may suffer from asthma but they write it off it being a regular cough or cold so knowing what asthma is can really help.
Asthma is much more common in children than it is in adults. In India alone, 5-10% of children between the ages of 5-11 years are diagnosed with asthma. If you feel your child is exhibiting any symptoms of asthma, it is best to consult your general physician first. Some common indicators would be wheezing, a slight whistling sound when your child inhales or exhales, a frequent dry sounding cough, tightness in the chest and a deep chest cold, constant fatigue and inability to run or walk for long distances, shortness of breath. These are just a few indicators, and if you find your child any of these, consult a doctor immediately. Younger children, toddlers and infants cannot tell what is wrong with them, so do keep a sharp eye out for any situations.
Asthma is usually triggered by various factors. While it is difficult to pinpoint what exactly are the causes of asthma, there is a broad range of possible reasons which include: dust, pollen (especially during seasonal changes), mites, animal fur, pollution, cigarette smoke, genetic factors and environmental factors such as heavy industrial pollutants and chemicals. If you have been properly diagnosed with asthma by a specialist, you need to take measures to avoid such triggers.
Asthma in children, especially in those children who are below the age of 5, can be reversible and most children grow out of asthma. In adults, asthma when dealt with the proper treatment, without skipping medication or regular doctor visits, can be bought under control and make sure that having a condition like asthma doesn’t hinder your daily life. Since having asthma can make your immune system a little susceptible to asthma attacks, always keep an inhaler on you so that you can stop an attack before it becomes something much more serious.
Now the fact that there is no permanent asthma cure shouldn’t dishearten you. Millions of people around the world live healthy, full-filling and carefree lives, while having asthma, and all they need to do is take a few steps and measure to ensure their health. By using the long term medication, you reduce the swelling or inflammation in your airways and respiratory system. This makes sure that you are less prone to frequent attacks. The short term relief comes in the form of inhalers that help you while you are getting or are in the midst of an attack. Using a balanced system ensures that your asthma is under control and you can breathe freely.
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