Asthma

Asthma has affected many people and in many different ways. Asthma causes inflammation in your lungs and airways and for them to swell. During asthma attacks airways tighten and become narrower, making it difficult for air to pass through and making it difficult to breathe. Another name for asthma attacks is an exacerbation. Asthma affects people in different ways. Some people experience asthma attacks due to allergies, or when they breathe in cold air, or during periods of exercise. Not only do asthma attacks affect a person while it’s happening, but if they are not treated, the swelling and inflammation in the person’s airways can lead to permanent damage to your airways and lungs. There are a few causing factors of asthma. Many times a person has asthma because it runs in the family. Also, asthma is very common in people who have allergies. However, everyone with allergies does not have asthma and everyone with asthma does not have allergies.
There are many symptoms of asthma. One symptom is wheezing and short breaths. Another symptom is the feeling of tightness in your chest. Having trouble sleeping due to coughing or having a hard time breathing are both symptoms as well. One common symptom of asthma is when you get tired quickly during exercise.
Asthma is diagnosed in a few different ways. Doctors use a test called spirometry to diagnose and keep track of a person’s asthma. The test measures how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs as well as how much air you move. Another test is the peak expiratory flow test. This test shows how fast you can breathe out when you are trying your hardest. Doctors also do exercise tests, chest x-rays, and allergy tests if they think your symptoms may be caused by allergies.
Although asthma is a lifelong disease, treatment can control it and aid a person in living a healthy and active life.