What to know about asthma

Asthma attacks are usually periodic and increased hospital visits are observed during the very cold seasons, according to medical experts. It is a common long-term lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways, and also causes occasional breathing difficulties.  “Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements […]

Asthma attacks are usually periodic and increased hospital visits are observed during the very cold seasons, according to medical experts. It is a common long-term lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways, and also causes occasional breathing difficulties. 

“Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role,” said Dr. Ezie Patrick C. “The chronic inflammation is associated with a form of airway hyper responsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing particularly at night and in the morning.”

Patrick added that the socio-economic impact is enormous resulting in lost days from school, or work, unscheduled health care and hospital visits.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) said asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood.  

The institute said young children who often wheeze and have respiratory infections as well as certain other risk factors were at highest risk of developing asthma that continues beyond six years of age. 

The other risk factors include having allergies, eczema (an allergic skin condition), or parents who have asthma.

“Among children, more boys have asthma than girls. But among adults, more women have the disease than men. It’s not clear whether or how sex and sex hormones play a role in causing asthma. Most, but not all, people who have asthma have allergies.

“Some people develop asthma because of contact with certain chemical irritants or industrial dusts in the workplace. This type of asthma is called occupational asthma.” The institute said.

Dr. Patrick who is also the publicity secretary, Nigerian Medical Association Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, said asthma is usually caused by certain triggers particular to each individual sufferer which could be aerosols, pollen, dust, cold even some exposure to cats, other pets, and moulds. 

The doctor said asthma is usually diagnosed in the hospital using a combination of investigations which include:

-Spirometry which checks the ability of the lungs to expire inhaled air by blowing through a peak flow meter

-Measurement of allergic status of an individual by using skin prick tests

-Chest X-ray is also used to identify abnormal patterns in lung presentation

-Other high technique assessment which involves assessment of the eosinophils, a type of white blood cells in the airway.

The disease can be prevented by avoiding the triggers and aggravating factors, avoiding smoking, and lifestyle modifications such as avoiding sweeping, cooking and working in places where the sufferers are exposed to those triggers.

It can also be prevented through the use of inhalers and other medications prescribed by your doctors appropriately.

On treatment, the physician said asthma attacks usually present in the hospitals as emergencies as the individual suddenly but progressively find it increasingly difficult to breath.

He said: “The goal of treatment to ensure immediate relief of the individual during such attacks by using nebulizers to ensure that the airways are dilated and halting the excessive narrowing. This usually involves the inhalation of medications to bring about this relief.

“Other medications such as antibiotics and mast cell stabilizers are administered to ensure that infections are taken care of and repeat episodes are halted.”

However, the medical expert added that the mainstay in the management of asthma is the avoidance of the triggers and regular use of inhalers to prevent recurrent attacks.

While asthma can normally be kept under control, it’s still a serious condition that can cause a number of complications. So it is important to follow your treatment plan and not ignore your symptoms if they are getting worse. 

Badly controlled asthma can cause persistent tiredness, absence from work or school, psychological problems, lung infections like pneumonia, and also cause delays in puberty or growth in children. 

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute advised people living with the disease to partner with their doctor to develop an asthma action plan. “This plan will help you know when and how to take your medicines. The plan also will help you identify your asthma triggers and manage your disease if asthma symptoms worsen,” it said.