In an asthmatic attack, your airways narrow and swell. They produce extra mucus and breathing becomes difficult. These changes occur because the airways show an exaggerated response to substances that irritate it. An asthmatic attack can be life-threatening and can literally take your breath away. Do seek professional help whenever you have attacks.

Asthma may present at any age and is loosely classified as allergic or non-allergic. “Allergic” asthma develops in childhood and the child may also have other allergic conditions such as hay fever or eczema. Pollen, drugs, feathers and animal fur may precipitate an attack. Though asthma may improve during adolescence and with age, the condition may recur. “Nonallergic” asthma normally occurs in older people (adult onset asthma) and precipitating factors include; exercise drugs such as aspirin, chemicals, atmospheric pollution, chronic sinusitis and viral infection.

TELL-TALE SIGNS OF ASTHMA

• Bouts of coughing worse at night and early mornings
• Audible whistling or wheezing sound when breathing out
• Shortness of breath

Other symptoms may occur

• Chest tightness
• Fast breathing

TIMES WHEN ASTHMA MAY FLARE UP

• Exercise Induced Asthma – may occur during exercises and quite often when the air is cold and dry
• Occupational Asthma – caused or worsened by a workplace irritant such as chemical fumes, dust or gases
• Allergy Induced Asthma – triggered by particular allergens that may even include cockroaches and pollen

DIAGNOSING ASTHMA

• Your doctor or health professional will ask you questions taking into account your lifestyle, asthmatics in the family, known allergies and related conditions such as eczema in children
• Physical examination will include looking at the shape of the chest, signs of coughing, wheezing
• Breathing tests (lung function test), using peak-flow metres and spirometres, measure the volume and force with which air is breathed out.

WHO ARE THOSE AT RISK

• Having a blood relative with asthma
• Having an allergic  condition such as hay fever
• Being a smoker or inhaling secondary smoke often
• Being overweight
• Having a mother who smoked while pregnant
• Exposure to exhaust fumes or other types of pollutants
• Exposure to occupational triggers such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing and manufacturing
• Low birth weight

MANAGING ASTHMA

Asthma has no specific cure so treatment is targeted at the symptoms

• Drugs – two main groups. One for immediate relief and those that target long-term control
• Identification and avoidance of asthma triggers (can be a very difficult task)
  • Ensure your living/work area is as dust-free as possible and replace or clean carpets whenever necessary
  • Replace pillows stuffed with feathers
• Exercise often but pace should be relaxed since it could also trigger an attack. Intensive bouts of exercise should not exceed 5 minutes per bout. Strengthen your chest with regular breathing exercise.

WATCH THESE POSSIBLE ASTHMA TRIGGERS

• Pollutants
• Plant pollen
• Respiratory tract infection
• Emotional distress
• Exercise/physical activity
• Food additives/preservatives
• Certain foods such as peanuts, shellfish
• Smoke
• Certain medicines
• Extremes of weather/cold
• Chemicals such paint
• Menses in some women

• Certain reflux diseases

Asthma may be life threatening and it can be baffling how people manage to stay at home all night when they have an attack. Get urgent medical attention. Even in the hands of a skilled professional certain attacks may be difficult to control.

If you are an asthmatic and the attacks affect your daily life including work then you will need help to fine tune your medications and identify and avoid the trigger factors.

Having exercise induced asthma is no reason to avoid exercising, you could seek professional help to improve your health. Generally one will need to avoid exercising in crowded and enclosed areas.

I hope that you are now in a position to CONTROL your asthma and that of those you care about.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd/St Andrews Clinic

(www.healthessentialsgh.com)

*Dr. Kojo Essel is a Medical Doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition & Corrective Exercise.

 Thought for the week – “Love is not what takes you by surprise and leaves you totally breathless; it’s called ASTHMA” – author UNKNOWN

References:

1. www.mayoclinic.com
2. Mosby’s Ace the Boards
3. Fitness Therapy – Dr Karl Knopf
4. AstraZeneca Patient Education leaflets