Many individuals all over the world suffer from asthma. This is a disease that affects the lungs in varying degrees of severity. Even though many individuals with asthma develop it during childhood, it is not always the case. Always bear in mind that adult-onset asthma can develop at any age and usually triggers persistent symptoms among adults instead of the intermittent attack that occurs among children. Asthma is known to cause substantial despair among those who develop one, particularly for those who end up with severe symptoms.
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What are the causes of asthma?
There is no conclusive cause of asthma. In most cases, a genetic predisposition to allergies seems to make some individuals prone to asthma. Some of the potential allergens including mold, perfume and feathers can be upsetting for those who have asthma.
Some individuals evidently end up with abrupt sensitivity to the substances that they have consumed harmlessly in food and beverages for years. The particulates in the air that can trigger asthma attacks include cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, industrial pollution and animal dander.
Low birth weight or obesity can also increase the risk for contracting the disease. Remember that asthma can manifest in adults for the first time in the wake of a heavy cold or flu. Other triggers include cold air, strenuous exercise, stress, anti-inflammatory medications, acid reflux and food preservatives.
Special considerations for women
Women are more likely than men to end up with asthma after 20 years old. Some women also develop adult-onset asthma during or after pregnancy or menopause. Always bear in mind that women who use estrogen supplements for 10 or more years are more likely to end up with asthma. In addition, menstruation is also another trigger for asthma.
Moderate symptoms of asthma
Not all individuals who suffer from asthma can experience severe symptoms. The usual symptoms triggered by the airway obstruction include coughing, shortness of breath during exercise, chest tightness, increased mucus, wheezing and chest cold that lasts for more than a week. Those who have non-severe asthma, they usually suffer symptom-free periods in between the asthma attacks.
Severe asthma symptoms
Individuals who suffer from severe adult-onset asthma are those who end up with symptoms that are continuous on most days and also during night time. The severe asthma attacks include shortness of breath not linked to heavy exertion, fast and evident worsening of breathing difficulty and inability of bronchodilators such as inhalers to improve the condition.
Those who have these severe symptoms require emergency medical care right away since continuous worsening of the breathing issues can bring on unconsciousness and puts the individual in a life-threatening situation.
Diagnosis
Asthma has similar symptoms with other conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and early congestive heart failure. When diagnosing this condition, the doctor might ask questions regarding the overall health of the individual, allergies, medical history, lifestyle and habits.
In most cases, a physical examination is carried out and lung function tests are performed. Prescription medications and inhalers can be given. In addition, specific recommendations for lifestyle changes and allergen-reducing measures can be recommended.