Asthma

 

What is Asthma?

 

Asthma affects the airways; they are the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates the airway, (asthma trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airway tighten, which narrow the airway and the lining of the airway becomes inflamed and begins to swell. The overall effect is that it makes it difficult for the person to breath. Currently there are over 5 million people in the UK receiving treatment for asthma.

 

Causes of asthma

 

• It is caused by environmental and genetic factors.
• Asthma is more likely in people if there is family history of asthma, eczema and allergies.
• Smoking in pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of asthma developing in the child.
• Children whose parents smoke are more likely to develop asthma.
• Adult onset of asthma may result after a viral infection.
• Irritants found in the work place can trigger asthma, (Occupational asthma)
• Environmental pollution can make asthma worse and may play a role in developing asthma
• Stress has been linked to cause asthma in some individuals and certainly exacerbating the condition if one already has it.

 

Asthma triggers

 

There are many triggers that can irritate the airways and thus cause an asthma attack. The important thing is to identify them and then avoid them as much as possible to help control your asthma. These include, dust, hose mites, animals, air pollutants, cold and virus infections and smoking, this list is not exhaustive.

 

Risk factors

 

The commonest risk factor for developing asthma is a family history of atopic disease such as atopic eczema. It is characterised by a tendency to be “hyperallergic”.

 

Symptoms

 

Coughing

Wheezing

Shortness of breath

Tightness of the chest

 

Treatments

 

There are various prescription medications such as reliever inhalers and preventive inhalers. The former inhalers act immediately to relieve breathing difficulties by opening up the airways. The latter are usually steroid based and can help to prevent an asthma attack from occurring.

 

Avoiding known triggers will help to control the asthma. Gentle exercise and breathing exercises help improve the condition as well.

 

Completmentary Therapy Treatments

 

Complementary therapies such as acupuncture can also help in adjunct to medication.

 

Read how acupuncture can help with asthma here.

 

 

If you'd like further information please contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page or call us on 02476 691100.