asthma symptoms in adults
Causes
Asthma is caused by inflammation (swelling) of the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles that surround the airways are stressed and their lining becomes inflamed. This reduces the amount of air that can pass through these.
In people with sensitive airways, asthma symptoms can be triggered by inhaling substances called allergens or triggers.
Common triggers of asthma
Common triggers of asthma include:
Animals (pet hair or dandruff)
Dust mites
Certain medications (acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin and other NSAIDs)
Changes in climate (more often cold weather)
Chemicals in the air or in food
Exercise
Mold
Pollen
Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
Strong emotions (stress)
Smoke of the tabacco
Substances found in some workplaces can also trigger asthma symptoms, leading to occupational asthma. The most common triggers are wood dust, grain dust, animal dander, fungi or chemicals.
Many people with asthma have a personal or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. Others do not have such a background.
symptom
Most people with asthma have separate attacks for asymptomatic periods. Some people have prolonged difficulty breathing with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Wheezing or a cough may be the main symptom.
Asthma attacks can last from minutes to days. They can become dangerous if the air flow is severely restricted.
Asthma symptoms include:
Cough with or without sputum production (phlegm)
Retraction or pulling of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retraction)
Difficulty breathing that gets worse with exercise or activity
Wheezing
Emergency symptoms that need timely medical attention include:
Lips and face bluish
Decreased level of alertness, such as intense drowsiness or confusion, during an asthma attack
Extreme respiratory distress
Fast pulse
Severe anxiety due to difficulty breathing
Sweating
Other symptoms that may occur:
Pattern of abnormal breathing - in which exhalation takes more than twice as long as inspiration
Transient respiratory arrest
Chest pain
Chest tightness
Tests and exams
The health care provider will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs. You can hear wheezing or other sounds related to asthma.
Tests that can be ordered include:
Allergy tests - Blood or skin test to see if a person with asthma is allergic to certain substances
Arterial blood gas (usually done only with patients who are suffering from a severe asthma attack)
Chest x-ray
Pulmonary function tests, including peak flow measurements
Treatment
The objectives of the treatment are:
Control inflammation of the respiratory tract
Avoid substances that trigger symptoms
Help you to do normal activities without asthma symptoms
You and your doctor must work together as a team to manage asthma. Follow the doctor's instructions regarding taking medications, eliminating asthma triggers and monitoring symptoms.
MEDICATIONS FOR ASTHMA
There are two classes of medications for the treatment of asthma:
Control medications to help prevent attacks
Rapid relief (rescue) medications for use during attacks
PROLONGED ACTION MEDICINES
They are also called maintenance or control medications. They are used to prevent symptoms in people with moderate to severe asthma. You must take them every day for them to take effect. Take them even when you feel well.
Some of these medications are inhaled such as steroids and long-acting beta-agonists. Others are taken by mouth (orally). The doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication.
FAST RELIEF MEDICATIONSThey are also called rescue medications. They are taken:
Lungs
Lungs - Lungs Lungs - Spirometry Lungs - Asthma Lungs - Peak expiratory flow meter Lungs - Asthmatic bronchiole and normal bronchiole Lungs - Common triggers of asthma Lungs - Exercise-induced asthma Lungs - Respiratory system The lungs - Use of the spacer - Series The lungs - Use of the metered dose inhaler - Medical procedures The lungs - Use of the nebulizer - Series The lungs - Use of the maximum expiratory flow meter - Series
A.D.A.M.
Lungs Spirometry Asthma Peak expiratory flow meter Bronchiole asthmatic and normal bronchiole Common triggers of asthma Exercise-induced asthma Respiratory system Use of the spacer - Series Use of the metered dose inhaler - Medical procedures Use of the nebulizer - Series Use of the flow meter Maximum expiratory - series
When you are coughing, panting, having trouble breathing, or experiencing an asthma attack
Just before exercising to help prevent asthma symptoms that are caused by this activity
Tell your doctor if you are using quick-relief medications twice a week or more. If this is the case, it is possible that asthma is not controlled and that your doctor needs to change the daily dose of the control medications.
Quick relief medications include:
Short-acting bronchodilators (inhalers)
Oral steroids (corticosteroids) when you have an asthma attack that does not get better
A severe asthma attack requires a medical checkup. You may also need hospitalization. There you will probably be given oxygen, respiratory assistance and intravenous (IV) medications.
CARING FOR ASTHMA AT HOME
Know the symptoms of asthma that should be taken care of.
Learn how to take the reading of your peak flow and what it means.
Know which triggers make asthma worse and what to do when this happens.
Learn how to take care of your asthma when exercising.
Asthma action plans are written documents to manage this disease. An action plan for this disease should include:
Instructions for taking medications when stable
A list of asthma triggers and how to avoid them
How to recognize when asthma is getting worse and when to call your provider
A spirometer is a simple device to measure how quickly you can remove air from the lungs.
It can help you know if an attack is approaching, sometimes, even before any symptoms appear. Maximum flow measurements can help show when the medication is needed or if it is necessary to take another measure.
Maximum flow values of 50% to 80% of the best results are a sign of a moderate asthma attack. While the values below 50% are a sign of a serious attack.
Expectations (prognosis)
There is no cure for asthma, although the symptoms sometimes diminish over time. Most people can lead a normal life with self-management and appropriate medical treatment.
Possible complications
The complications of asthma can be severe. Some are:
Death
Decreased ability to exercise and take part in other activities
Lack of sleep due to nocturnal symptoms
Permanent changes in lung function
Persistent cough
Difficulty breathing that requires breathing assistance (respirator)
When to contact a medical professionalRequest an appointment with your provider if symptoms of asthma occur.
Call your provider or go to the emergency room if:
An attack requires more medication than recommended.
Symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment.
There is breathing difficulty when talking.
The maximum flow measurement is 50 to 80% of the best personal measurement.
Go to the emergency room if the following symptoms occur:
Drowsiness or confusion
Severe difficulty breathing at rest
Maximum flow measurement less than 50% of the best personal measurement.
Intense chest pain
Bluish coloration of the lips and face
Extreme respiratory distress
Fast pulse
Severe anxiety due to respiratory distress
Prevention
Asthma symptoms can be reduced by avoiding triggers and substances that irritate the respiratory tract.
Cover beds with "allergy-proof" covers to reduce exposure to dust mites.
Remove the carpets from the bedrooms and vacuum regularly.
Use only fragrance-free detergents and cleaning materials in the home.
Keep humidity levels low and fix leaks to reduce the proliferation of organisms such as mold.
Keep the house clean and keep the food in containers and outside the bedrooms. This helps reduce the likelihood of cockroaches. The body parts of cockroaches, as well as their bowel movements can trigger asthma attacks in some people.
If a person is allergic to an animal that can not be removed from the house, it must be kept out of the bedroom. At the heating exits, place a filter material to catch the animal dander. Change filters in heaters and air conditioners often.
Remove tobacco smoke from the house. This is the most important measure a family can take to help someone who has asthma. Smoking outside the house is not enough. Family members and visitors who smoke outside carry residues of tobacco smoke in their clothes and hair. This can trigger asthma symptoms. If you smoke, this is a good time to quit.
Avoid air pollution, industrial dust and other irritating vapors as much as possible.
POINTS OF ATTENTION
Asthma in adults - what to ask the doctor
Control drugs for asthma
How to use a nebulizer
Rapid relief drugs for asthma
Asthma and school
Asthma induced by exercise
Exercise and asthma at school
How to use an inhaler without a spacer
How to use an inhaler with a spacer
How to use your spirometer
Make maximum flow measurement a habit
Signs of an asthma attack
Avoid asthma triggers
Traveling with respiratory problems
References
Cydulka RK, Bates CG. Asthma. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013: chap 48.
Durrani SR, Busse WW. Management of asthma in adolescents and adults. In: Adkinson NF, Bochner BS, Burks AW, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014: chap 55.
Lugogo N, Who LG, Gilstrap DL, Kraft M. Asthma: clinical diagnosis and management. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016: chap 42.
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.Rockville, MD. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2007. NIH publication08-4051. Updated 2012. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/guidelines/asthgdln.pdf. Accessed April 29, 2015.
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