Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out and shortness of breath.
Asthma can’t be cured, but the symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms and adjust your treatment as needed.
Symptoms
Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times — such as when exercising — or have symptoms all the time. Patients have different triggers for their symptoms. Identifying the allergic agent becomes important for management for some patients.
Cough
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Seasonal variation and nocturnal variation of symptoms
Diagnosis
Spirometry and pulmonary function testing often used to diagnose asthma.
In some patients a regular breathometer or peak flow meter is used for regular monitoring.
To identify the triggers at times allergy testing (discussed elsewhere) is done.
Advice for patients
Inhalers are the safest and the best treatment to control your symptoms of coughing / wheezing and breathlessness.
The dose and content and type of inhaler (bronchodilator +/- anti inflammatory drugs) is prescribed based on doctors assesment.
It is better to take regular inhalers to become symptom free and then step down the treatment rather than taking intermittent inhalers.
Carry the inhalers to confirm the technique during every visit.
For severe asthma, bioplogic therapy (discussed elsewhere) is advised which help control symptoms and reduce the dependence on oral steroids for the same.