First stage: intermittent asthma.
Chest tightness or pain. Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children. Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing. Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.
There are two phases of an asthma exacerbation, which include the early phase and late phase. The early phase is initiated by IgE antibodies that are sensitized and released by plasma cells. These antibodies respond to certain triggers in the environment, such as the risk factors listed above.
Hence, it is further classified into four stages – intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent.
The most common symptoms of asthma are: wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing) breathlessness. a tight chest – it may feel like a band is tightening around it.
Symptoms of an asthma attack
your symptoms are getting worse (cough, breathlessness, wheezing or tight chest) your reliever inhaler (usually blue) is not helping. you're too breathless to speak, eat or sleep. your breathing is getting faster and it feels like you cannot catch your breath.
However, when asthma is not treated or poorly controlled this can lead to problems, such as feeling tired, stress, anxiety or depression, lung infections and delays in growth or puberty in children. Poorly controlled asthma can also lead to severe asthma attacks which can be life threatening (4).
Sinus infections, allergies, pollen, breathing in some chemicals, and acid reflux can also trigger attacks. Physical exercise; some medicines; bad weather, such as thunderstorms or high humidity; breathing in cold, dry air; and some foods, food additives, and fragrances can also trigger an asthma attack.
The answer is yes—well, sometimes. While children are more likely to outgrow their symptoms, adults may also see their symptoms disappear and go on to lead asthma-free lives. But outgrowing asthma is not true for everyone. Sometimes symptoms can come back on their own—even many years later.
Changes in aging lungs can also make asthma worse. Other age-related health issues that can be confused with asthma, such as: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Other lung diseases.
Testing for Asthma
The most common lung function test is called spirometry. This lung function test uses a device called, a spirometer, to measure the amount and speed of the air you blow out. This helps your healthcare provider see how well your lungs are working.
Prevention and long-term control are key to stopping asthma attacks before they start. Treatment usually involves learning to recognize your triggers, taking steps to avoid triggers and tracking your breathing to make sure your medications are keeping symptoms under control.
About half of adults who have asthma also have allergies. Adult-onset asthma also may be the result of commonplace irritants in the workplace (called occupational asthma) or home environments, and the asthma symptoms come on suddenly.
The sooner asthma is diagnosed, the faster the treatment process can begin. Even though asthma cannot be cured, symptoms can be controlled with appropriate care. A trained professional can work with you to identify potential triggers that make your asthma worse. Then, you can develop a lifestyle plan to avoid them.
Everyone who has asthma needs to carry a quick-relief medicine –usually an inhaler but sometimes from a nebulizer – to stop symptoms before they get worse.
As stated before, silent asthma has the absence of coughing or wheezing. One reason why you may not experience coughing or wheezing is that your airways haven't tightened enough to restrict airflow through your bronchioles.
Chest X-ray, which creates a picture of your lungs and ribs to determine whether your airways are blocked. An X-ray is often used to rule out other causes of asthma-like symptoms, such as pneumonia, heart failure, lung cancer, and tuberculosis. IgE blood test, which detects your levels of immunoglobulin E.
What is an asthma cough sound? Most people with asthma have a dry cough, one that does not produce mucous. This happens when the airways constrict in response to an irritant and is a feature of asthma. As well as the cough there is often a high-pitched wheeze sound that is also caused by the constricted airway.
A doctor will typically recommend inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy as a first-line treatment for mild persistent asthma. ICS therapy works by reducing inflammation in the airways and is effective at preventing flare-ups. People usually administer it using an inhaler.
Asthma Throat Symptoms
Throat tightness can be associated with asthma-related inflammation and narrowing of the airways, says Dr. Sikka. “When the airways become inflamed and constricted, it can create a sensation of discomfort in the throat, like the feeling of having something lodged in there,” he adds.
Adults and Children: one or two puffs, repeated four-hourly as required. Initial doses in the elderly may be lower than the recommended adult dose. Your doctor may tell you to take extra puffs of your VENTOLIN puffer if your chest condition suddenly gets worse.
Strong emotions and stress are well known triggers of asthma. There is evidence of a link between asthma, anxiety, and depression, though the outcomes are sometimes not consistent. Anxiety and depression may be associated with poor asthma control.
Rule of 3's
Needing a bronchodilator more than 3 times a week on a consistent basis means that asthma is unstable and the risk for a serve, acute episode of bronchospasm is high.