Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs where your airways narrow, inflate, and you get breathing difficulties. You get asthma symptoms when your airways swell, and the muscles around them stiffen. Additionally, mucus fills the airways reducing the amount of air passing through causing breathing difficulties. These issues lead to coughing, tightness in the chest, and wheezing. An extreme asthma attack can be life-threatening and requires quick medical attention. If you have asthma in El Centro, you may have difficulties talking or engaging in physical activities. There are many types of asthma based on causes and severity, and here are some.
Pediatric asthma
Pediatric asthma, also known as childhood asthma, begins in children below five years. Infants and toddlers can have this type of asthma. You can discuss with your specialist if your child needs an inhaler in case of an asthma attack. With time, your child may outgrow asthma. Your doctor can advise you on how to manage symptoms in your child.
Persistent asthma
Persistent asthma is where you experience symptoms most of the time. Symptoms may range from mild, moderate to severe. Doctors will vary the severity of asthma based on how often you get symptoms. Specialists will also consider your ability to engage in activities during an attack.
Exercise-induced asthma
Exercise-induced asthma, also called exercise-induced bronchospasm, is a kind of asthma initiated by exercise. You experience it when you engage in physical activity. It occurs when you breathe in the air drier than in your body, leading to narrowing of your airways. You may notice symptoms a short time after you start exercising. Symptoms can last between ten to fifteen minutes after you stop physical activity.
Occupational asthma
You experience occupational asthma when you expose yourself to allergens or irritants in your workplace. It mainly affects you if you are working around dust, chemical fumes, or other irritants in the air. One out of 6 adult asthma patients starts at work. Study shows that about twenty-one percent of working patients with asthma worsen at work. Exposure to asthma triggers in indoor and outdoor workplaces can prompt the disease.
Aspirin-induced asthma
Aspirin-induced asthma (AIA), also known as aspirin-exacerbated asthma, is a severe respiratory infection. Aspirin or other NSAIDs like naproxen or ibuprofen will trigger this type of asthma. You can have symptoms minutes or hours after taking these drugs. You can also experience nasal polyps. People between twenty and fifty years can suddenly develop AIA.
Nocturnal asthma
Nocturnal asthma is where your symptoms become worse at night. Heartburn, pet dander, and dust mites can trigger this type of asthma. Altering your sleeping pattern can also trigger nocturnal asthma.
Seasonal asthma
Seasonal asthma is triggered by irritants in the air not related to allergies. These irritants are present in the environment in specific periods of the year like winter, summer, or spring. Cold air, air pollution, burning wood or perfumes can lead to seasonal asthma. You will not experience symptoms throughout the year if you have seasonal asthma.
It would be best if you visited your specialist to discuss how you can manage asthma symptoms to prevent severe effects. Call Dr. Singh to schedule an appointment to learn more and get asthma treatment.