Asthma: general information

Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs’ air passages called bronchial tubes. The condition inflames and narrows them to the extent that it complicates breathing. Your airways may swell and produce more mucus. The reason why some people have asthma and others don’t is not that clear, however, it is associated with inherited genetic factors or air pollution. 

People suffering from asthma are in a risk group for COVID-19 and for the majority of other respiratory diseases. 

Some facts about asthma

Let’s have a closer look at some facts about that condition.

• Asthma is one of the major non-contagious respiratory diseases.

• Sadly, it is common among children, and in 2016 339 million people globally suffered from asthma. 

• Not everyone has access to adequate asthma treatment. The majority of deaths caused by asthma occur in low- and middle-income countries.

• People who have allergic reactions caused by the use of various substances are more likely to develop asthma. 

• Asthma is non-treatable but you can have a good quality of life by controlling it with medication & avoiding triggers.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016, almost 420 000 people died from asthma. The same year asthma was responsible for 24.8 million DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Year).

Asthma symptoms

The main symptoms are:

• a feeling of choking,
• lack of air,
• wheezing, especially while exhaling,
• tension in the chest, tightness,
• cough which occurs mainly during the night or in the morning, 

The symptoms can appear in heavy or light forms and last from a couple of hours to several days. 

Symptoms of asthma getting worse

You need to monitor asthma closely. Here are some signs of your asthma getting worse:

• The asthma attacks and other signs become more frequent.
• If you monitor your lungs  with a peak flow meter and the results are getting worse. The peak flow meter is a pocket-size easy-to-use device to take daily measurements of  your lungs’ capability & asthma progression.
• If you use your quick-relief inhaler more often, your asthma is probably progressing.

Please note that asthma can get worse when you exercise or due to workplace irritants, gases, chemicals. The asthma attacks can be provoked by mold spores, cockroach waste, various airborne particles.

Asthma diagnostics

Conventional tests

Asthma is a life-threatening condition. If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, seek medical help.

The healthcare professional will carry out various tests in order to identify asthma and its severity. Also, he will perform physical exams to rule out other possible diseases that have similar symptoms (respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.).

The asthma diagnostic will include the test to measure your lung function:

• Spirometry. To perform the test the patient will breathe into a small machine, a so-called spirometer. That device measures how much air your lungs inhale & exhale and how quickly you breathe out.
• Peak flow. That mechanism will measure how hard you can breathe out. 

Normally, these tests are performed two times – before and after using a medication called bronchodilator (albuterol). It helps the lungs to open up. If your lungs function better after the medication you probably have asthma.

Additional testing

In order to understand better the causes of asthma, its severity and to choose a more suitable medication, the healthcare professional may perform additional testing. Which may include:

• Methacholine challenge test. Methacholine is a trigger that slightly narrows your airways. If your first lung testing was normal, the doctor may use a methacholine challenge test to cross-check. If your lungs react to it you’re likely to suffer from asthma.
• X-Ray. May show abnormalities or infections.
• Allergy testing. These tests will identify if you have any type of allergy reactions. 
• Nitric oxide test. This test is not very common, but it measures the level of nitric oxide in your breath. The elevated levels of it may indicate lung inflammation.
• Sputum eosinophils. This test calculates the number of white blood cells (eosinophils) in a mixture of your saliva and mucus (sputum). The results will allow the healthcare professional to judge the severity of your asthma.
• Testing for cold-induced asthma and exercises. The lungs’ obstruction is measured before and after the exercise or inhalation of cold air.

These tests will help to identify specific triggers of asthma and its severity. The appropriate treatment is recommended afterward.

Asthma treatment

There is no universal medication for asthma, it requires an individual approach. After a consultation with your GP, it is necessary to choose a relevant medication. However, one can contribute to treatment by maintaining a healthier lifestyle, avoiding allergens, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and choosing a suitable physical activity. 

One of the non-drug ways of treatment could be Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). Such procedures must be conducted by a pulmonologist only. In the case of a RANKEL Smart Life LLLT device, a patient would need to undergo 10 to 15 daily sessions and can repeat therapy 3-4 times per year for preventive purposes.