If you are someone who suffers from asthma or knows someone who does, then you might want to read this guide on the symptoms, causes and treatment to get clued up on the condition.
Shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness and wheezing are some of the common symptoms. Did you know that there is an estimated 3.9 million South Africans suffering from asthma?
Let’s get into the facts on the disease.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It is a long-term condition affecting the lungs, which explains the associated breathing issues.
What happens when someone has asthma is that the airways in their lungs become inflamed, fill up with mucus and restrict proper airflow. Some patients have said that asthma makes you feel like you are breathing through a straw.
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With the right medication and healthcare plan, this condition does not have to affect your life or slow you down.
What causes asthma?
No one really knows what the exact cause of asthma is. Some experts believe it is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Asthma triggers
When someone has asthma, it does not mean they struggle to breathe all the time, their breathing issue tends to flare up when they are exposed to specific triggers. These triggers can be in the form of substances or irritants that trigger allergies.
When asthma is triggered, then the airways become irritated and swell up, making breathing extremely difficult. This is also known as an asthma attack or flare-up.
The triggers for asthma vary from person to person and often include:
- Substances in the air such as mould spores, pet dander, dust mites, pollen or particles of cockroach waste (gross!)
- Respiratory infections (the common cold is an example of this)
- Physical activity (this is known as exercise-induced asthma)
- Cold air
- Pollutants and irritants in the air (smoke is an example of this)
- Certain medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- Emotional trauma such as stress or anxiety
- Food and drinks containing preservatives and sulphites (this includes beer, wine, dried fruit and shrimp)
- GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) which is a condition that causes stomach acid to flow back into the throat
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor might perform a lung functioning test known as spirometry. This is used to assess how well your lungs perform by measuring how much air you are able to inhale, and how much air you exhale and how quickly you are able to exhale.
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How is it treated?
Caring for asthma is done by avoiding triggers that cause flare-ups and taking prescription medications.
Medications
There are different kinds of medications used to treat asthma. One of them is known as quick-relief-medication which works by opening the airways to help you breathe again and the other is long-term control medication which helps prevent flare-ups.
It’s best to chat with your doctor to find out what he or she thinks best suits your case. If you do not treat asthma, it can get worse and you could land up in the hospital. Your doctor will help put together a specialised plan to help you treat and live with your condition.
Inhalers
A number of people use an inhaler, this helps get medicine into the lungs. Basically, this device has a plastic tube inside of it that contains medicine that goes straight into your lungs to help relax the muscles surrounding the airways, helping you to breathe again.
Will my asthma ever go away?
If you have asthma as a kid then you might grow out of it as you get older. Some doctors think that the reason for this is that your airways grow wider as your body grows and you become an adult, allowing you to breathe easier.
A number of adults suffer from asthma, but as mentioned, with the right medication and a health insurance plan (the affordable alternative to medical aid), then you can easily get the private medical attention and treatment needed to help you live and healthy and happy life.
What is health insurance?
Health insurance gives you instant access to private healthcare and for a fraction of the cost of medical aid. If you have Oneplan Health Insurance, we even front you with the cash you need BEFORE you see the doctor and let you go to any doctor of your choice.
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What’s more is that our health insurance includes cover for specialists (Executive Plan only) and day-to-day healthcare expenses such as dentist and doctor visits. Get a no-strings-attached quote right now and get the cover you need to help you and your family lead long, healthy and happy lives.
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