Uncovering Asthma, a "little monster" lurking around us｜Things about Asthma①

After the National Day, autumn has gradually deepened across the country. Compared with summer, the air temperature and humidity in autumn are significantly different. Coupled with autumn-specific allergens such as pollen, weeds, dust mites, mold, etc. , the number of asthma patients seeking medical treatment in autumn has increased significantly.

We often hear about the disease "asthma", but some of our friends may not know much about it.

What are the symptoms of asthma? What are the factors that easily cause asthma?

After reading the following popular science, you will understand everything!

To understand asthma, pay attention to these symptoms!

Asthma is the abbreviation of bronchial asthma. It is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease, characterized by recurrent symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or coughing.

Many clinical phenotypes of asthma have been discovered. Today we will first learn about two of the most common types.

Allergic asthma

Allergic asthma is the most recognizable asthma phenotype, with onset in childhood and associated with a history of allergic disease such as past and/or familial eczema, allergic rhinitis, food or drug allergies. Induced sputum is obtained in these patients before treatment, which usually reveals eosinophilic airway inflammation.

If you have suspected symptoms but are afraid to confirm, please listen to the advice of Dr. Hu Qiurong from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ️️️Non-allergic asthma

Including smoking, air pollution, obesity, respiratory infections and mental factors.

Active smoking and passive smoking increase the risk of asthma;

Women who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy are risk factors for asthma in their offspring.

Early exposure to air pollution increases a child’s risk of developing asthma;

The prevalence of asthma increases in obese children, and the more severe the obesity, the higher the risk of asthma.

How to distinguish between asthma and acute infection?

Many symptoms of asthma can be easily confused with acute infections, especially in the fall.

Infection is an acute symptom and does not recur frequently, while asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways, so it recurs.

If a cough persists for more than two months without relief, especially if the cough is more severe at night and may be triggered by cold air or other irritants, you should be alert to the possibility of asthma.

At the same time, it is also important to note that asthma and allergic rhinitis are often concomitant diseases, like twin brothers. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing when exposed to cold air or other irritating odors or substances. The symptoms are similar to those of upper respiratory tract infection, but their triggering factors are completely different.

Therefore, when coughing and chest tightness are accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, you also need to be alert to asthma!

What can we do to prevent asthma?

● Avoid contact with allergens as much as possible, especially outdoors;

● Keep the indoor environment clean;

● Improve immunity and reduce the probability of respiratory infections;

● Eat a healthy diet and avoid foods that can trigger asthma attacks and foods containing nitrites.

Exercises for people with asthma include:

●Physical exercise: Suitable activities include jogging, swimming, mountain climbing, cycling, etc. Tai Chi and Ba Duan Jin are recommended, as these exercises help with psychological adjustment and limb exercise.

● Breathing exercises: mainly through pursed lip exhalation and abdominal breathing. Abdominal breathing helps to strengthen the diaphragm and improve the function of respiratory muscles.

References Sources:

Global strategy for asthma management and prevention

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University