Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus.
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Asthma is often categorized into different types based on the triggers identified by the doctor and the patient that cause breathing problems and make asthma symptoms worse. They include:
The exact causes of asthma are unknown, although it can be associated with hereditary and environmental factors:
Certain circumstances may trigger your asthma. Understanding these can be really important to limiting and managing your symptoms.
The symptoms of your asthma can get worse within a short space of time, usually when triggered by something and this is known as a flare-up or a asthma attack. Some common triggers are listen below, although these will vary depending on the individual
When your asthma is not well controlled, symptoms can include the following:
Your doctor at OneWelbeck will start by evaluating your symptoms and ask for your health history. They may also conduct a physical exam and carry out certain tests. Your doctor will identify which type of asthma you have (see About Asthma, above) and tailor your diagnosis according to this.
There are a variety of tests that your doctor can perform – the most common of which is the lung function test is called spirometry. Using a device called a spirometer, your doctor will measure the amount and speed of the air you blow out. This will help your doctor to determine how well your lungs are working.
Other tests could include:
Other lung diseases may cause some of the same symptoms as asthma – if this is the case, your doctor may carry out other tests to help determine the cause of your symptoms.
Allergy plays an essential role in asthma as one of the significant factors associated with the cause and persistence of asthma. Around 80% of people with asthma have positive allergy test results, meaning that allergens–like dust mites, mould, animal dander and pollen - worsen asthma symptoms. There are three main ways in which allergy plays an essential role in asthma:
However, there are other asthma triggers, including respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, smoke, and strong odours. And these triggers can affect people with both allergic and non-allergic asthma.
The only way to determine whether you have allergic asthma is through allergy skin prick tests and blood tests.
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