Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition of the lungs. In asthma, the lungs are inflamed. It can occur in both children and adults. Because of the inflammation, people with asthma have difficulty breathing. Symptoms can also worsen during an asthma attack.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a condition in which small inflammations are always present in the lungs. Because of these inflammations, the lungs are extra sensitive to triggers such as smoke, house dust mites, exhaust fumes, chemicals, or pets. These triggers can worsen asthma symptoms. Asthma does not have to cause symptoms every day. Often the symptoms occur in asthma attacks. This is a temporary worsening of the symptoms.

When the airways are irritated, various things happen. The mucous membranes in the nose, throat, and lungs swell. As a result, they produce more mucus and fluid. The muscles around the airways cramp because of the irritation. The airways become narrower, which makes breathing more difficult. Because of all these reactions, breathing in and out is much harder.

What is the difference between asthma and pneumonia?

In pneumonia, the lungs are inflamed due to an infection or bacteria. This can be treated well with medication, so pneumonia is only temporary. In asthma, the lungs are chronically, and thus permanently, inflamed. The inflammation in asthma is a reaction to triggers and not to an infection or bacteria. The symptoms can be completely absent temporarily. It may then seem that asthma has been cured, but it has not.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma causes a number of well-known symptoms such as:

• Chest tightness. This is the best-known symptom; during an attack it can even feel like choking.
• Wheezing. This is caused by the narrowing of the airways.
• Shortness of breath. This means being out of breath quickly and feeling like you need to gasp for air.
• Coughing. This is because the mucous membranes are irritated. By coughing, the body wants to loosen the mucus.
• Lack of energy. Because breathing takes more effort, fatigue can occur.

What are the different types of asthma?

There are different types of asthma. People often have a combination of several types:

• Allergic asthma. Symptoms occur due to inhaling substances to which someone is allergic.
• Non-allergic asthma. Symptoms are not due to an allergic reaction. They can be caused by smoky rooms, cold air, or for example perfume.
• Exercise-induced asthma. This is asthma that arises due to exertion, especially during sports. Symptoms occur when getting moving too quickly. Starting exercise gradually already prevents many symptoms.
• Severe asthma. This is a form of asthma that is difficult to control. All of the above types can also be severe asthma.

What is the treatment for asthma?

Treatment depends on the symptoms and the person. Asthma cannot yet be cured, but medication can reduce the symptoms. Medication that can be prescribed includes bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories.

Bronchodilators help open the airways, which reduces breathlessness. The medication can be taken with an inhaler or as a pill. An inhaler is also called a 'puffer'. Inhaling via an inhaler delivers the medication directly into the lungs.

Anti-inflammatories reduce the inflammation, which decreases the symptoms. When asthma is due to an allergy, medication for that allergy can also be given.

What can you do yourself if you have asthma?

There are various things you can do yourself to reduce symptoms:

• Do not smoke. And ask friends/family not to smoke around you.
• Maintain an active lifestyle. Exercise trains the lungs.
• For allergic asthma, try to avoid allergic triggers. For example, do not keep a pet and use fabrics that attract fewer dust mites.
• Choose a good vacation destination. Clean air is important; this can be in the mountains or at the sea. Try to avoid busy cities because of exhaust fumes and fine particulate matter.

What is the difference between asthma and COPD?

People often think that COPD and asthma are the same, but they are not. Asthma and COPD are both respiratory diseases, but there are a number of differences. In COPD, the airways are narrowed as a result of damage, such as from smoking. 

Unfortunately, a true single cause for asthma has not yet been identified. Symptoms in asthma are intermittent, while in COPD they are continuous. The treatment and course of asthma are often better, and patients can, on average, live longer with it. In COPD, symptoms often gradually get worse, and life expectancy is shorter.

If you have lung symptoms, contact a specialized pulmonary physical therapist.