Asthma; What is it?

Asthma is typically a lung ailment that makes it difficult to breathe, by causing narrowing and inflammation of the airways. It can sometimes run in families.

What is Asthma like?

Symptoms of asthma vary from person to person. They can be mild or severe. There could be sudden outbursts of symptoms. The most common symptoms of asthma are:

• Dyspnoea or difficult breathing
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Persistent coughing, more commonly at night. Most commonly cough with mucus orphlegm

It may also manifest as an “Asthma Attack”; with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. It can not only cause you to have shortness of breath, but can also produce noisy breathing/wheezing, coughing, or a feeling of chest tightness. During an Asthma attack, the patient presents below symptoms:

• Very low blood pressure
• Abnormally rapid breathing
• Wheezing sounds may accompany both inspiration and expiration or expiration alone

Would I need any testing for Asthma?

If your symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of Asthma, the doctor may proceed with a breathing test to assess how well the lungs are working. Additional blood and skin tests may also be required if an allergic predisposition is thought to be aggravating the Asthma.

Treating Asthma:

Treatment for Asthma includes different medicines either in inhalational or liquid forms or in the form of pills. In consultation with your doctor, you should know how and when to take them. Quick-relief medicines are used for rapid relief of symptoms. Long-term controller medicines lessen the chances of future attacks. 

There are other medicines that work both as a controller medicine and a quick-relief medicine. Adherence to the prescribed medications is important. Your doctor and nurse will assist you in using your inhalers the right way.

Sudden worsening of the symptoms should prompt you to use your quick-relief medicine. A visit to the hospital for emergency treatment might be warranted. For increased frequency or severity of symptoms, you together with your doctor would chalk out an Asthma Action Plan

regarding the use of medicines, and when to call out for emergency help. You would also be taught to use a peak flow metre; to assess the working of your lungs, from time to time.

Prevention:

Avoiding triggers (dust, air pollution, cold dry air, strenuous exercise, stress, dogs, cats, pollen, and cigarette smoke) is the key. Certain medications like NSAIDs may aggravate Asthma, consult your doctor if they are to be avoided. Additionally, asthma may worsen if affected by the flu; an early flu shot, may thus, help. Vaccination against pneumonia in certain cases might be needed, as guided by your doctor.

How frequently do I need to visit my doctor?

A follow-up visit to the doctor, at least once every 06 months, is merited if you need asthma medications every day. This would typically include a discussion about your symptoms, and future treatment goals. A breathing test to evaluate the working condition of your lungs may also be needed.

Planning a pregnancy:

Prior to planning a pregnancy, it is important to have a formal discussion with your doctor. It would focus around an effective control of symptoms, ensuring optimum outcomes for you and your baby.

How would Asthma affect my pregnancy?

Depending upon individual variability, during pregnancy; the symptoms may improve, worsen, or may not change at all. 

Are my usual Asthma medicines safe during pregnancy?

While most of the Asthma medications are safe to consume in pregnancy, your doctor would chalk out a comprehensive plan which benefits an individual’s symptoms, the most. Adherence to the prescribed medications is important, the lack of which can lead to an aggravation in the symptoms and potential health hazards for the baby. 

What can I do to prevent Asthma attacks? 

Avoiding triggers, and having a flu shot administered, are both important in the same way as for non-pregnant individuals. With effective management of Asthma symptoms during pregnancy, the outcomes for both the mother and the baby are favourable. 

The Baby’s Health?

If your asthma is well controlled during pregnancy, chances are good that your asthma will not hurt your baby.

What about Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is nearly always safe with most Asthma medications. However, a consultation with a doctor is important to ensure that the medications being taken are completely safe.