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Learn about asthma

Asthma is a chronic medical condition that makes your lungs hypersensitive. Triggers like allergens, illness, and even exercise can cause flares of symptoms that include wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Asthma can be mild, moderate, or severe, and often runs in families. Asthma is usually diagnosed during childhood but can also show up in adulthood. Different types of asthma can overlap one another, or be stand alone as the primary type of asthma.

Types of asthma may include:

• Allergic asthma

• Nonallergic asthma

• Occupational asthma

• Exercise-induced asthma

Allergic asthma is caused by things in the environment that cause allergic reactions. Allergic asthma attacks are caused by "triggers." Examples of allergic asthma triggers include:

• Pollen from trees, grass, and weeds

• Mold

• Dust mites

• Cats and dogs (animal saliva, urine, and dander)

• Mice (fur, dander, and droppings)

• Tobacco smoke or secondhand smoke

Nonallergic asthma is a type of asthma not related to allergies such as pollen or dust. Nonallergic asthma is less understood, but usually occurs in adulthood and is associated with more severe asthma symptoms and illness. Infections typically exacerbate nonallergic asthma.

Examples of nonallergic asthma triggers include:

• Sinus infections

• Viral infections

• Nasal polyps

• Common colds (Rhinovirus)

Occupational asthma, also known as work-aggravated asthma, is caused by substances in the workplace. These substances, called irritants, cause inflammation in the lungs and trigger asthma symptoms. Occupational asthma involves hands-on professions that deal with animals or harsh chemicals.

Irritants that trigger occupational asthma include:

• Chemical compounds (paint hardeners, paint thinners, various glues, and insulation)

• Gases, smoke, fumes, and aerosols

• Farm and lab animals (fur, saliva, feces, and dander)

• Fish and shellfish (crab and shrimp exposure and processing)

• Flour proteins (food processors, bakers, dock workers)

• Diisocyanate chemicals (plastic production, spray paint, adhesives, and sealants)

• Foam coating manufacturing

• Acrylates (nail salon workers, dental hygienists, auto body repair shops, and assembly workers)

• Metals for welding (chromium, cobalt, nickel, platinum, and zinc).

Exercise-induced asthma, as the name suggests, is triggered by exercise. This can lead people to feel chest tightness and wheezing during times of aerobic effort that require harder breathing efforts.

How to treat asthma

Asthma is a sometimes life-threatening illness but can be managed with prescription medications, lifestyle, and diet. Prescription medications are used for symptom prevention, quick relief during sudden symptoms, and long-term control.

A healthy lifestyle is crucial for overall health. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying aerobically fit with exercise, eating healthily, sleeping well, and managing stress may all help reduce asthma symptoms.

The right nutrients can help you breathe easier and minimize symptoms. Foods with sulfites, salicylates, and gas-inducing foods should be avoided. Foods that cause bloating should be avoided since it is more difficult to breathe when bloated.

Asthma action plans are treatment plans used to prevent asthma attacks. According to the American Lung Association, asthma management is supported by an asthma action plan. Asthma action plans provide medical education for people diagnosed with asthma so that they understand which steps to take in order to keep asthma symptoms under control. Your PlushCare doctor can create an asthma action plan for you which may include quick-relief medication and long-term asthma medication.

How to prevent asthma

The best way to prevent an asthma attack is to avoid asthma triggers and to use your medications as prescribed. An asthma trigger is anything that makes asthma symptoms worse. Triggers can cause an increase in lung inflammation, prompt an asthma attack, or require the use of a rescue inhaler.

Common asthma triggers may include:

• Dust mites

• Pet dander

• Cold air

• Air pollution

• Cigarette smoke

• Stress

• Infections like the common cold, flu, or sinus infection

• Strong scents like perfume or cleaning supplies

• Exercise

• Very dry air

• Aspirin

The best thing to do is to stay away from triggers in order to maintain control. Prevent asthma attacks by being aware of triggers and improve your symptoms by being aware of common signs of asthma flare-ups.