Asthma is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes leading to the production of mucus in the lungs.
People with Asthma experience the symptoms only when the airways get blocked, tighten, and inflamed. Some of the most common symptoms associated with this condition are wheezing, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath. However, not everybody shows the same symptoms all the time. Here are a few other symptoms that may appear with this condition -
A chronic and persistent cough – A cough is probably the least surprising symptom of Asthma. By coughing the body’s immune system is trying to expel all the mucus that has been deposited in the lungs and is causing a blockage. A cough may be a symptom for Asthma as well as other respiratory disorder such as an obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so the doctor may carry out several tests before deciding that a cough is due to Asthma or any other medical issue.
Constant Bronchitis – Bronchitis is a condition described by inflammation of the bronchioles (the passageways that transport oxygen to the lungs). When this happens a lot of mucus is deposited in the lungs, making it difficult for a person to breathe. The body tries to emit the mucus with the mechanism of coughing. In case a person has frequently suffered from Bronchitis since childhood, there is a huge possibility that he/she may end up having Asthma as they grow old.
Irritation in the throat – The throat and nasal cavity are lined with mucus membrane, and therefore when they get infected a lot of mucus is produced. This infection may be a sign of Asthma and is characterized by the constant need to clear the throat. If this irritation persists for a very long time, consult your doctor as it may be a sign of Asthma.
Frequent coughs at night – The people suffering from Asthma usually cough more at night. This happens because the airways tend to naturally become a bit narrower at night. With the infection, these airways are already narrower making it more difficult for a person to breathe. This eventually increases the intensity of a cough at night
Fatigued body – Feeling low on energy is another symptom of Asthma. Because of the infection, people have to work harder to breathe making them feel tired. Also, a lot of people suffering from Asthma have reported that they instantly feel tired even after a little exercise. If a person has already been diagnosed with Asthma, tiredness may also result as a side effect of medication. Tiredness is a Montair LC side effect, the medicine is usually prescribed to find the symptoms of allergy in asthmatic patients.
Difficulty in Sleeping – Since the intensity of cough increases at night, a person may find it difficult to sleep properly. Being sleep deprived for a very long time tends to have a bad impact on the overall health of the patient. Therefore, it is recommended that if there have been a lot of sleepless nights due to a cough, ask your doctor to give you a medicine that may help to combat the situation.
Retractions – Due to infection, the intercostal muscles are unable to do their job and cause difficulty while breathing. If retractions are very frequent then, this may be a sign of Asthma.
Indigestion - Acid reflux happens when the content of your stomach backs up into the esophagus. This condition may also trigger the symptoms of Asthma, like irritating the respiratory pathways. Avoiding a certain type of food and taking medication may prevent the condition.
Bouts of shortness of breath – If you are an exercise freak or have that love for jogging, you might have experienced the shortness of breath. Yes, it is usual, but if you get frequent bouts of breath shortness, Asthma may be the culprit behind it. The infection causes the bronchioles to get narrowed and hence makes it difficult for the patients to breathe.
What can be done?
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory disorders and affects both children and adults. The condition may vary from mild to chronic and may affect every individual differently. Asthma not only limits a person’s day to day activity but also prevents them from enjoying simple activities like a walk in the park. Therefore, if you or any of your dear ones face the above-mentioned symptoms, taking proper medical assistance is a mandate. The doctor may put the person on some medication and ask him/her to follow a certain diet.
