Monitor asthma closely
Asthma is a condition in which your airways become inflamed and swell. This makes the airways (the passageways that allow air to enter and leave the lungs) narrow and they produce extra mucus.
If you frequently experience shortness of breath or you hear a whistling or wheezy sound in your chest when you breathe, you may have asthma.
For some people, asthma is just a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
Asthma can't be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Asthma often changes over time, so it is important that you and your doctor regularly evaluate your signs and symptoms and adjust your treatment as needed.
Signs and symptoms include
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or pain
- Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
- A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children)
- Coughing or wheezing attacks worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.
When to see a doctor
Asthma symptoms are serious and can become deadly if left untreated. Treating asthma early may prevent long-term lung damage and help keep the condition from worsening over time. See your doctor:
- If you think you have asthma or if you have any of the signs or symptoms above.
- To monitor your asthma after diagnosis, work with your doctor to keep it under control. Good long-term control helps you feel better and can prevent a life-threatening asthma attack.
- If your asthma symptoms get worse, contact your doctor right away if your medicine doesn't seem to ease your symptoms or if you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often.
- Asthma often changes over time, so you might have to make adjustments to your treatment from time to time.
When to get emergency treatment
Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor to determine what to do when your signs and symptoms worsen — and when you need emergency treatment. Signs of an asthma emergency include:
- Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
- No improvement, even after using your prescribed quick-relief inhaler
- Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity
References
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/basics/definition/con-2002699 http://acaai.org/asthmahttp://acaai.org/asthma