People with asthma have an increased risk of respiratory infections. These infections can trigger a flare-up of symptoms and cause wheezing.

Doctors can diagnose asthma based on symptoms, medical history and a physical exam. They may also perform a lung function test called spirometry. Keeping a log of your symptoms and possible triggers can help doctors reach an accurate diagnosis.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways, which are the pathways that carry air to and from the lungs. It causes coughing, wheezing and chest tightness that make it hard to breathe. Asthma symptoms can range from mild to severe and life-threatening.

There is no cure for asthma, but proper treatment can help control it. Many people with asthma live normal lives, even if they have a mild to moderate form of the condition. Asthma can start at any age, but it is most common during childhood. It is caused by an overactive immune system that causes inflammation of the lungs, tightening of muscles around the airways and the release of mucus in the lungs. It is not known exactly why some people get asthma and others don’t, but it may be a result of genetic and environmental factors.

The most common type of asthma is allergic asthma. It is triggered by pollen, mold, pet dander, cigarette smoke and other allergens. It can also be triggered by infections, such as colds, flu and sinus infections. Other triggers include exercise, being too hot or being too cold, and medications, including Green Asthma Inhaler. People with this type of asthma may have a worsening of their symptoms at night, called nocturnal asthma.

Some people have nonallergic asthma, which flares up during certain seasons, such as summer or winter. Other types of asthma are occupational asthma, which occurs in people who work around chemical fumes or dust; and eosinophilic asthma, which is characterized by high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils.

Asthma is a chronic disease, but it can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. People with this disease should create an asthma action plan with their doctor to learn more about how to manage it. This will give them an idea of how to treat the disease daily and what to do when the symptoms are bad, which is also known as an asthma attack or exacerbation. They can also get an idea of how to prevent an asthma attack by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

What are Asthma Triggers?

The triggers for asthma are things that make your symptoms worse or cause an attack. These may be allergens or irritants, air pollution and other environmental pollutants, certain medications, cold air, exercise, physical activity, some foods (like potatoes, dried fruits and beer), chemical fumes or strong emotions. Each person has different triggers. It is important to find and avoid these triggers.

Allergens are the most common triggers for asthma. They can include animal dander, tobacco smoke, dust mites, mold, pollen, smog and chemicals used in cleaning products and perfumes. People with asthma can also be sensitive to food additives like sulfites, found in many frozen foods, beers and wines. It is less common for medicines to be triggers, but some can. For example, some aspirin-containing medicines can trigger asthma.

Some asthma triggers are not allergens, but rather irritants that affect the way your lungs work. These include cigarette smoke, cold air, some medicines, and other irritants that can increase inflammation in the lungs.

Other causes of asthma triggers can be environmental, such as outdoor pollution and ozone (smog) or indoor factors like dust, smoke, moulds and fungus. In addition, some people are sensitive to certain weather conditions that can trigger asthma. For example, thunderstorms can exacerbate asthma because they cause pollen grains to burst and release their pollen, which can then trigger allergic reactions in the lungs.

The factors that trigger asthma can be different for each person, which is why it is important to identify and keep a record of your triggers. Once you have identified your triggers, it is easier to avoid them and prevent asthma attacks. The maxim that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies to asthma. The sooner you know your triggers and can avoid them, the better. This will improve your quality of life and help you manage your condition.

How to Prevent Asthma Attacks

Asthma attacks are unpredictable, but proper treatment can help to prevent a person from experiencing them. There are several steps that a person can take to help reduce their risk of having an asthma attack, such as taking any medications prescribed by a doctor and following a detailed asthma action plan. Keeping track of when and why an asthma attack occurs can also help to identify possible triggers.

If a person notices that their symptoms are getting worse, they should make an appointment with their GP or asthma nurse as soon as possible. This is especially important if they have been to hospital for an asthma attack or have recently left hospital and their symptoms are not improving. They should bring their medication list with them to the appointment.

A person should read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use if provided by their pharmacist before starting to use an inhaler and each time they get a refill. They should follow the illustrated directions for using the purple inhaler round correctly and should always shake well before each use. They should use the inhaler away from their face so that they do not get medication in their eyes. They should also ask their doctor or pharmacist if they need to prime the inhaler for the first time, if they have not used it in more than 7 days or if the inhaler has been dropped.

When they have a symptom flare-up, it is important to try and stay calm. It can be very difficult to breathe during an asthma attack, which can feel like trying to breath through a straw. People may want to try and distract themselves with things such as watching TV or listening to music to help them relax. It is also a good idea to avoid anything that can trigger an asthma attack, such as physical exercise; smoke from cigarettes or cigars; some medicines; bad weather such as thunderstorms; or certain foods and fragrances.

If a person is having a severe asthma attack, they should call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance to be sent. They should also continue to use their rescue inhaler as directed, and they should take details of their medication with them to hospital if they are going to be treated in hospital.

How to Treat Asthma

For most people, the most effective treatment is daily preventer medicine inhaled using a device called an inhaler. The device is a little like a nebulizer machine that turns liquid medicine into a mist that you breathe in through a mask or mouthpiece. Almost everyone with asthma also has a rescue inhaler that contains fast-acting medicines that help open the airways to relieve symptoms quickly. Cheapest Inhaler For Asthma are usually blue, and may contain a quick-acting medication called a bronchodilator, such as salbutamol or terbutaline.

Your doctor will give you a personal asthma action plan that tells you how to take your medicines and what to do when you have symptoms, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing. You should read this carefully and follow the instructions. The plan will help you keep track of your progress, so bring it with you when you go to see your doctor or nurse.

The plan is divided into zones to show how well you’re doing. The green zone means you’re doing fine and your symptoms are in control. The yellow zone is when you might need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often, and the red zone is if your symptoms are getting worse.

You should carry your inhaler at all times and use it as instructed. Always shake the inhaler before each use to get a full dose of the medicine. If you’re not sure how to use the inhaler, ask your doctor or nurse to show you. If your inhaler is a MDI (metered-dose inhaler), you should use a spacer or holding chamber with it to make it easier to inhale. You can also talk to your doctor about a DPI (breath-actuated inhaler), which doesn’t spray the medicine but delivers it directly into your lungs.

If you’re having a severe asthma attack, call 999 and get emergency care. This may include going to hospital, or a same-day appointment with your GP or asthma nurse. You should take your written asthma action plan with you to the appointment.

Your doctor will review your asthma action plan and may change the type or dosage of your medicines. They will also look at your triggers, such as exercise or allergies. They might recommend a breathing test with a peak flow meter, which measures how well your lungs are working.

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