According to WHO, “About 235 million people are living with Asthma and over 80% of the asthma-related deaths occur in low-and lower-middle income countries.”
Asthma is chronic sickness which inflames airways to the lungs. It is also the most common chronic disease among children worldwide. This means that the inflammation caused due to asthma is long-lasting and needs proper management. An asthma episode can happen at any time and last for a few minutes, while the acute symptoms can last for hours or even days. Asthma makes breathing difficult, which in turn can make some physical activities difficult or even impossible.
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What is Asthma?
Normally when you breathe, the air passes through your nose and then down to the throat and into the airways. This ultimately reaches the lungs. There is a lot of small air passages present in the lungs that helps transport oxygen from the air to the bloodstream. When you suffer from Asthma, the linings of your airways inflame and the muscles stiffen. Mucus then blocks up the airways, allowing only a reduced amount of air to pass through. This causes the asthma Attack.
What Are The Common Signs Of Asthma?
Patients with asthma usually have the following symptoms when their airways are swollen, or loaded with mucus –
- Persistent coughing, especially during nights or when the temperature turns cold
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Wheezing
Not every patient exhibits similar symptoms for asthma every time, it might vary from one person to another or from one incident to the next. Some people might get asthma symptoms while exercising or when they are subjected to some allergens. Some might get an attack when they experience any infections in the respiratory tract. It is imperative to recognise and get it treated by the experts at Bowral street medical practice to help prevent severe episodes and keep asthma in better control.
What are the delayed or severe symptoms of asthma?
If the symptoms of asthma turn out to be severe, you will not be able to perform even your routine activities. If you don’t follow the emergency instructions for Asthma care you might encounter the following severe symptoms. In those circumstances you must get medical help from the Bowral medical centre right away.
- Severe wheezing when breathing in and out
- Persistent cough
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty in talking
- Chest pain
- Unable to exhale fully
- Panic attacks/Anxiety
- Lips, face or fingernails will turn blue in colour
- Pale face
- Ribs or stomach moving in and out deeply and fast
Can Asthma be Prevented and Treated?
There is no cure for Asthma. It can only be controlled by taking appropriate medicines and avoiding situations that trigger asthma. With proper treatment from the Bowral community health centre, and a precise asthma management plan, you can minimise the symptoms and better your quality of life.
Talk to your Bowral doctors about your asthma signs & symptoms and make sure to review any changes in your asthma management.
