Asthma can be triggered by one or more factors. These various factors play a role to varying degrees in different people. Even in the same person, the proportion of these factors can vary depending on the course of the asthma.
- Family history and genetic predisposition: It is common for one or more members of a family to suffer from asthma. This predisposition corresponds to hypersensitivity of the bronchi to one or more allergens, such as pollen or animals, or to factors such as recurrent viral infections. Active and passive smoking. Cold, dry air.
- Stress: Stress and anxiety are important triggers for asthma attacks. Many asthmatics report attacks occurring when they experience difficulties at work or in their family life. However, asthma should not be attributed solely to stress. This carries the risk that patients will use stress as an excuse to avoid fundamental treatment.
- Non-specific irritants: Paints, solvents, aerosols, deodorants. Air pollution.
Asthma and rhinitis
The link between allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma has been known for many years. The walls of the bronchi and nose react similarly to allergens. Asthma and allergic rhinitis are symptoms of inflammation of the airways.
Approximately 42% of people with allergic rhinitis develop asthma within the following years.
Many asthmatics also show symptoms of allergic rhinitis. 78% of asthma patients suffer from allergic rhinitis. If left untreated, allergic rhinitis can worsen asthma symptoms.
Asthmatics should always be tested for allergic rhinitis and receive treatment. Similarly, people with allergic rhinitis should be tested for asthma.
Early treatment of allergic rhinitis can prevent the onset of asthma. Unfortunately, many people suffer from rhinitis without knowing that it is an allergic condition.
If rhinitis persists for several months and worsens from year to year, regular allergy testing by an allergist is necessary.
Respiratory tests such as lung function tests and airway function tests are routinely performed on people with allergic rhinitis to detect asthma, which is often overlooked.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Asthma is a disease of the bronchial tubes. During an asthma attack, the bronchial tubes become inflamed and constricted, preventing air from circulating normally in the lungs. This makes breathing difficult. It is estimated that one in eight children and one in twenty-two adults suffer from asthma.
Asthma attacks can be triggered by allergic reactions, colds, environmental pollution, strong emotions, or smoking.
Characteristics of asthma:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Risk groups:
- People with a family history of asthma
- People with allergies (this is called allergic asthma)
How is asthma diagnosed?
The doctor listens to the patient’s chest and checks for signs of breathing difficulties. If you have had an asthma attack, consult your doctor to determine whether treatment is necessary.
The doctor may also assess respiratory function with a breathing test as spirometry. This involves taking a deep breath and then blowing as much air as possible into a small device.
The doctor may order a chest X-ray to rule out other respiratory conditions or perform allergy tests to determine if allergies are the cause.
How can you recognize an asthma cough?
Coughing is a symptom of all types of asthma.
While asthma is often associated with shortness of breath and characteristic wheezing, coughing occurs in all asthma patients.
In most cases, it is a dry cough without phlegm that occurs at night or after physical exertion. In allergic asthma, the cough occurs after contact with the allergen.
Chronic coughing is a warning sign of asthma.
While the cough associated with asthma usually occurs as an attack, chronic coughing can also be related to asthma. In fact, there is a form of asthma that is characterized by prolonged coughing.
Since this may be the patient’s only symptom, it is very often misdiagnosed as bronchitis.
Asthma treatment and cough prevention
Although there are many medications available to treat asthma, the most important approach is prevention.
Identifying the substances that cause the asthmatic cough can help prevent future attacks. This can be achieved by isolating the patient from allergens or restricting physical activity.