Asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airway. Someone with asthma knows it can be scary at times and might begin to look for causes in hopes of being able to avoid an attack. Unfortunately, there are no actual known causes of asthma, though there are some triggers to watch out for. When someone is exposed to these triggers, their airways become narrow and inflamed and begin to fill with mucus. The individual then experiences a hard time breathing and speaking.
Common Triggers
Learning what your triggers are is one of the best ways you can work toward avoiding an attack. Your allergist may be able to help you determine these triggers by completing a few quick tests. Some common known triggers include:
- Allergies – Pollen, grass, mold and dust allergies could all be considered triggers.
- Exercise – Symptoms typically begin about 10 minutes into a workout and remain until 20 minutes post-exercise.
- Food and Additives – These can be life-threatening and include allergic reactions to nuts, wheat, fish, fruit and eggs.
- Heartburn – When the acids from your stomach are backed up into your esophagus, it irritates the airway, which can trigger the attack.
- Medication – This includes medications someone has an already diagnosed allergy to, as well as others that may not be known already.
- Sinusitis – The airways can become inflamed when you have sinusitis, and mucus may be produced more than usual as well, which will trigger an attack.
- Smoke – This includes both smoke from a fire, as well as cigarette smoke.
- Weather – Humidity, cold air and a simple change in temperature can trigger an asthma attack.
Why Triggers Make the Problem Worse
In someone who has already been diagnosed with asthma, his or her airways are always inflamed. They are sensitive to anything that passes by. When one of the triggers passes through the airway, the already sensitive airway begins to react by tightening up and becoming inflamed. In some sufferers, the attack doesn’t start immediately, so it’s important everyone knows what their triggers are and what signs to look out for during the onset of an attack.
Getting Professional Help
If you have asthma, it’s important you get professional help. An allergist can diagnose your issue, help you determine the type of asthma you have, teach you about triggers and assist you in getting the treatment you deserve. There’s no reason you have to try to do this on your own. Contact an allergist, like an allergist in Manassas, VA from Black & Kletz Allergy, today to learn more or to schedule an appointment so you can get your asthma under control.
