Allergy & Asthma

Asthma - Columbus, OH

Allergy & Asthma

Asthma - Columbus, OH

If you frequently experience shortness of breath, coughing, or you hear a whistling or wheezy sound in your chest when you breathe, you may have asthma — a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, the passageways that allow air to enter and leave the lungs. If people with asthma are exposed to a substance to which they are sensitive or a situation that changes their regular breathing patterns, the symptoms can become more severe.

Asthma symptoms affect an estimated 26 million Americans — 19 million adults and 7 million children — and are among the leading causes of absences from work and school. According to the World Health Organization, asthma often runs in families; about half the cases are due to genetic susceptibility, and half result from environmental factors. Although there is no cure for asthma, effective treatments are available. Asthma can be best managed by seeing an allergist.

There are two types of asthma: allergic (caused by exposure to an allergen) and non-allergic (caused by stress, exercise, illnesses like a cold or the flu, exposure to extreme weather, irritants in the air, or some medications). Many patients have both allergic and non-allergic asthma.

Asthma Symptoms

  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness
  • Wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound in your chest when you breathe, especially when exhaling)

Asthma Triggers

  • Outdoor allergens, such as pollens from grass, trees, and weeds
  • Indoor allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites, and mold
  • Certain drugs and food additives
  • Irritants in the air, such as smoke, chemical fumes, and strong odors
  • Colds, the flu, or other illnesses – especially sinusitis
  • Exercise (although people with asthma can benefit from some exercise)
  • Stress
  • Weather conditions, such as cold air or extremely dry, wet, or windy weather

Asthma Management and Treatment

Prevention of symptoms is the best strategy. A person with asthma should know what situations trigger an attack and avoid them whenever possible. If asthma attacks are severe, unpredictable, or flare up more than twice a week, consultation with an allergist can help determine their cause and provide long-term treatment that controls or eliminates the symptoms.

Asthma Facts & Figures
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