What is Asthma?

You might think there would be less exposure to allergens and irritants in the bedroom at nighttime. Truth is, the bedroom can be full of potential allergens. There could be dust mites in the bedding, or maybe there’s a pet sleeping in the bedroom at night. Often people with asthma have increased issues at night.

If you experience disrupted sleep due to nighttime symptoms, or you are frequently using your quick-relief albuterol inhaler at night, it may mean that your asthma is getting worse. Schedule an appointment with your asthma specialist and ask to update your Asthma Action Plan.

Gestational asthma is asthma that occurs during pregnancy. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can affect a woman’s existing asthma. Some women actually experience improved symptoms during pregnancy while others may have worsened symptoms. Maintaining disease control prior to and during pregnancy is essential to preventing complications. It’s important to note that pregnancy does not cause asthma.

There is no doubt that asthma tends to run in families. More than 100 genes have been found to be associated with asthma. Those genes are not a predictor of who will develop asthma and who won’t. Rather, genetics appears to play one part in who develops asthma. Environmental factors do as well.

People can inherit genes that may put them at greater risk for developing asthma. But genetics alone are not a sole predictor. The environment in which we live often plays a large role in asthma. When you see a family with multiple people with asthma, it may be a combination of genetics and the environment. Maybe they were already genetically predisposed, but perhaps living in an area with a lot of air pollution or residing in an older house with indoor mold exacerbated it. So the environment and exposure to allergens and irritants may play a role in the disease.

During an asthma episode or asthma attack, the airways become inflamed and swollen, and mucus production increases. The airways spasm to cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. People may experience short rapid breathing and feel they can’t take in a deep breath.

Unfortunately, yes. Asthma is a life-threatening condition. In fact, more than 3,500 Americans die from asthma every year. Many of these deaths occur in people over the age of 65. Most asthma deaths are preventable. It is vital for everyone with asthma to carry a quick-relief inhaler to relieve symptoms in the event of an asthma attack.

People with asthma are not immunocompromised in the way most of us think, such as a person whose immune system is suppressed after undergoing chemotherapy. However, people with asthma are more prone to respiratory infections. Some may have a weakened immune system or reduced lung function due to asthma or another respiratory illness. It is important for people with asthma to be especially careful to prevent respiratory infections that may worsen symptoms. Getting the annual flu vaccines is a good way to start.

People with occupational asthma develop asthma as a result of their daily exposures through their occupation. It occurs primarily in adults. Some workplaces may have poor air quality due to presence of mold, a proximity to highways or ongoing construction. Other workplaces may use cleaning products that contain harmful irritants from chemicals. These can trigger asthma symptoms in some people.

The inflammation and the swelling cause airways to narrow and then spasm. This causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Wheezing is a a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. The sound is the result of air moving through the inflamed and swollen bronchial tubes. Sometimes wheezing is heard easily. Other times you need a stethoscope.

There is no specific diet for asthma patients, but there are certain foods that may reduce the risk of airway inflammation. People with asthma should focus on eating a healthy, well-balanced diet consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables. These foods, along with fish containing Omega 3 fatty acids, have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Foods with vitamin D may also help reduce the risk of asthma symptoms.

Asthma cannot be cured. It can be controlled. Work together with your healthcare provider to achieve asthma control. This can be done through medication and, if needed, lifestyle changes. If you have allergic asthma, consider allergen immunotherapy (also called allergy shots or tablets). Immunotherapy can help build your tolerance to an allergen, with the goal of reducing or even eliminating symptoms.

There is a lot you can do at home to make your home asthma friendly!

• Quit smoking – until you or your family members quit smoking, make sure they only smoke outside
• Avoid dust mites – use dust-proof covers on pillows and mattresses and wash bedding in hot water weekly.
• Breathe healthy air – watch the air quality index daily. If air quality is poor, keep windows closed.
• Keep it fresh – dust and vacuum regularly to avoid buildup of dust and other triggers.
• Limit pets – skin, urine and saliva of pets can trigger allergies, so limit where pets can go inside. Keep them out of the bedroom.
• Clean up food right away – don’t invite critters such as cockroaches by leaving food out.
• Avoid sprays – sprays used to control pests can trigger asthma. Use baits or traps instead.
• Keep mold at bay – mold is a major asthma trigger, so clean regularly to avoid buildup of moisture. Fix leaks quickly to prevent mold. Get rid of any moldy items such as carpets, insulation, or walls. Use fans to keep air circulating.

Asthma doctors, or asthma specialists, are allergists/immunologists or pulmonologists. These doctors have specialized medical education in the treatment of asthma, allergies and related diseases.

It is rare for children to outgrow asthma. Even if symptoms are well controlled for years, the disease often persists into adulthood. If symptoms diminish as a child grows, it could be the result of the child’s lungs or immune system adapting and improving over time. Or the child gradually learned to avoid asthma triggers, such as allergens. But it is rare for asthma to go away for good. Some adults have reported their asthma symptoms, first diagnosed in childhood, reappeared after many years.

People with moderate to severe asthma require strong medications to keep symptoms under control. These medications may include:

• high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta2-agonists and/or additional controller medications;
• oral corticosteroids.

If moderate to severe asthma remains uncontrolled despite treatment and symptoms impact your ability to perform daily activities, then talk with your doctor about the next tier of medications: biologics.

Severe persistent asthma is the diagnosis when people experience symptoms at least twice a week and need to frequently use their quick-relief inhaler. They may also wake up at night one or more times per week with asthma symptoms. Severe persistent asthma may significantly impair a person’s daily life.