Asthma is a condition characterised by inflammation that narrows the airways, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing or producing a whistling sound while breathing.
According to Dr Lim Eu Jack, consultant physician from a medical centre in Sunway City, asthma is not a congenital disease but, rather, one that could develop later on in life. It is not a contagious disease.
“While asthma attacks can occur in children or teenagers, it can also happen in adulthood. Individuals with a family history of the condition, or who have allergic rhinitis or eczema, are at higher risk of developing asthma in their lifetime – yes, even as grownups,” he said.
When exposed to certain trigger factors, a person may show the above-mentioned symptoms and, in extreme cases, altered mental consciousness. These trigger factors may include:
- allergies, for example to pollen or animal dander;
- environmental factors such as extreme cold weather or air pollution;
- occupational factors like prolonged exposure to inhaled irritants at
- the workplace, such as smoke, chemicals, debris or sawdust;
- physical activity that is too strenuous;
- respiratory infections; and/or
- complications of pregnancy.
A respiratory specialist can identify asthma using a spirometry test, which assesses lung function and determines the condition of a patient’s airways.
Avoiding triggers
According to Lim, an asthma attack might last from several minutes to hours – or even days. The severity of the attack, ranging from mild to severe, depends on the extent of exposure to triggers.
“If the patient remains in an environment that can trigger symptoms, such as a construction site where there is a lot of dust, then the symptoms will persist or may become more severe,” he noted.
As such, the first step in treating asthma is to avoid the factors that trigger an attack. For instance, if the patient smokes or vapes, they should stop.
Guidelines by the Global Initiative for Asthma indicate that the condition cannot be cured, but symptoms can be managed with proper treatment and prevention.
For example, patients can use two types of inhalers: one for ongoing asthma control, which needs to be taken consistently according to a schedule even if there are no symptoms; and another that is used when an attack occurs to relieve symptoms.
An untreated or poorly controlled asthma attack might pose a serious risk to the patient’s life, especially if they experience “status asthmaticus”, which results in insufficient airflow and respiratory failure. This, in turn, could also lead to hypoxemia: lack of oxygen in the blood.
While asthma does not directly weaken the immune system, left uncontrolled, it might lead to impaired lung function that could increase the risk of infection.
Good lifestyle choices
To improve one’s quality of life, Lim advises adopting a healthy lifestyle and avoiding trigger factors. “There is a misconception that asthma patients cannot exercise. This is wrong: in fact, they are highly encouraged to exercise, provided it is done properly,” he said.
“Exercise can strengthen respiratory muscles, improve cardiovascular endurance, and help maintain an ideal body weight. Most importantly, always warm up with stretches prior to any workout.
“Also stick to a balanced diet and consume foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamin D, and omega-3 oils such as salmon, chia seeds or flaxseeds, to improve overall health,” Lim concluded.
