Asthma can cause a person to suffer from shortness of breath, constant coughing, and wheezing. It is significant for the individuals who exhibit the symptoms to visit the pulmonologist in Lahore for diagnosis and opt for the most suitable treatment plan. Additionally, the specialist would help in understanding the trigger. It allows the person to manage the symptoms and change the lifestyle accordingly.
Asthma and its Symptoms
Asthma is a lung diseasae that affects the tubes; responsible for carrying the air in the lungs. The airways narrow down and get inflamed, which results in shortness of breath, wheezing and constant coughing. The indications of bronchial asthma include:
- The person suffers from dyspnea.
- Patient experiences tightness in the chest.
- Individuals suffer from constant coughing at night.
- During a bronchial asthma attack, the blood pressure decreases.
- In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure; the skin and mucus of the individuals become blue, oxygen saturation gets to ninety percent, and blood pressure decreases, which may cause a heart attack.
Causes of Bronchial Symptoms
- Environmental Triggers: Dust, pollen, and cigarette residues can trigger asthma attacks.
- Use of Certain Medications: The use of NSAIDs and beta-blockers can cause asthma attacks as a side-effect.
- Correlating Conditions: Gastroesophageal reflux disease and sinusitis can also cause asthma attacks.
- Other Factors: People with the habit of smoking can cause asthma. Additionally, overweight individuals are at a higher risk of suffering from asthma.
Complications of Bronchial Asthma
The complications of asthma include
- Physical weakness
- Mental exhaustion
- The functioning of the lungs deteriorates.
- The airways of the lungs become inflamed.
- In severe cases, the person may require immediate medical attention because of respiratory failure.
Prevention
People diagnosed with asthma should keep an inhale while traveling, monitor their breathing regularly, and identify the environmental triggers or the use of medications that causes the attack. Moreover, if the person is unable to deal with the attacks, then it is best to consult a specialist.
Tests that Assist in Diagnosing Bronchial Asthma
- Allergy Blood Test: The tests help confirm the trigger causing the attack. The triggers include; dust, smoke fumes, smog, and exposure to specific chemicals.
- Spirometry: The test verifies the airway obstruction. It helps to evaluate the functioning of the lungs.
- Peak Flow Rate: The tests help evaluate the measure of the air out of the lungs. The patients with asthma have obstructed tubes that cause less flow of oxygen.
Effective Treatment Options
The patients can change their lifestyle or take medications as advised by the specialist. The treatment includes:
Medications and Procedure
- Inhaling Steroids: In severe cases, it is best to carry an inhaler, which helps to reduce the inflammation in the airways.
- Leukotriene-modifying agents: The medication helps dilate the airway and reduce the inflammation to manage the symptoms.
- Use of Xanthine: Medication helps dilate the airway and is prescribed for patients that have recurrent episodes of shortness of breath.
- Inhaled short-acting beta-2-agonists: For chronic patients, the specialist prescribes the medication. It helps in dilating the airways.
Change in Lifestyle
- The patient should quit smoking and should avoid visiting places with air pollution.
- Exposure to strong smells should be avoided; such as perfumes.
- The patient should keep their body warm in winters to reduce the chances of an asthma attack.
- Avoid food items with high sulfite content.
- Avoid the use of fish and preservative food items.
- Include the use of olive and cod liver oil in the diet
- Intake of Vitamin A and C enriched food
The individuals who exhibit the symptoms of asthma should consult a pulmonologist in Taj Consultants Clinics. The specialist can help conduct various tests that assist in diagnosis.