On a cold winter night, Zhang Min sat at his desk, intently flipping through a medical manual. She wasn't in a calm mood because her mother had just experienced a severe asthma attack. This incident made her realize that it is important to understand and cope with asthma. Zhang Min's mother has always been a strong person, but whenever asthma hits, she always seems helpless and afraid.
"Mom, are you okay?" Zhang Min asked with concern, her fingers gently flipping the pages of the book, looking for information about asthma.
"I'm better, thank you darling." The mother smiled, her voice slightly hoarse. She looked weak but determined, as if she was still struggling to drive away the fear she had just had.
Zhang Min recalls that when she was a child, her mother had been rushed to the hospital for asthma attacks many times. Every time she saw her mother struggling with breathlessness, she felt extremely helpless. She was determined to learn more about asthma and learn how to better help her mother and others facing similar problems.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of the airways and airway hyperresponsiveness. The disease is very prevalent worldwide, especially affecting middle-aged and elderly people. Its main features include symptoms such as breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing, especially during asthma attacks, which can be significantly worse and even life-threatening.
The etiology of asthma is complex and includes the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Allergens are one of the main triggers of asthma attacks, such as dust mites, pollen, pet fur, and pollutants in the air. In addition, climate change, infections, emotional stress, and certain medications can also trigger asthma attacks.
The pathophysiology of asthma is mainly related to airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Airway inflammation leads to swelling of the airway wall, increased mucus secretion, and airway hyperresponsiveness makes the airway unusually sensitive to multiple stimuli. As a result, even mild irritation can cause the airways to constrict and spasm, which in turn can trigger an asthma attack.
Early diagnosis and effective treatment are essential in asthma management. Depending on the condition, asthma can be classified as mild, moderate, severe, and severe. For middle-aged and elderly people, asthma management and treatment are particularly important because their physical health may not be as good as that of younger people.
The diversity of clinical manifestations makes the diagnosis of asthma sometimes difficult, especially if the disease is mild or infrequent. Typical symptoms include frequent coughing, especially at night or early in the morning, shortness of breath, and a feeling of urgency or pressure in the chest. These symptoms often affect the quality of daily life of patients, so it is important to seek medical attention promptly and manage them effectively.
A common trigger for asthma attacks
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by a variety of complex factors, and its acute exacerbations are often caused by specific triggers. Understanding and avoiding these triggers is essential for people with asthma to help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
Air pollutants and allergens
Airborne pollutants and allergens are one of the main triggers for asthma attacks. These include, but are not limited to:
Pollen and mold spores: Prone to asthma attacks, especially during pollen season and in humid environments.
Airborne chemicals, such as car exhaust, industrial emissions, and chemical vapours from household cleaners, can all contribute to asthma.
Indoor air pollution: including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from perfumes, air fresheners, home improvement materials, etc.
Climate change and temperature extremes
Sudden changes in climate change and temperature can trigger acute exacerbations in people with asthma:
Cold air: Cold air during the winter or cold season irritates the respiratory tract, causing contractions and spasms.
High heat and humidity: Hot and humid weather may increase the risk of asthma attacks, especially in environments that are prone to triggering allergic reactions.
Emotional stress and mental stress
The effects of emotional stress and stress on asthma should not be overlooked:
Anxiety and nervousness: Mood swings can cause the body to release hormones that can affect spasms and allergic reactions in the airways.
Mood changes: Changes in emotional states, such as excitement, agitation, or frustration, can trigger an asthma attack.
Exercise and physical activity
Exercise-induced asthma is a specific type, but people with asthma may experience asthma symptoms after strenuous exercise:
Exercise-induced asthma: Especially in cold, dry environments, rapid breathing during exercise and inhalation of cold air can lead to asthma attacks.
Other potential triggers
In addition to the main factors mentioned above, there are a few other possible triggers:
Medications: such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, β-blockers, etc., may have negative effects on people with asthma.
Infections: Respiratory infections, particularly viral infections, can trigger or worsen asthma attacks.
Food allergies: Certain foods, such as dairy, nuts or seafood, can trigger allergic reactions in some people with asthma.
Understanding and managing these common asthma triggers can help prevent and reduce asthma attacks, which can improve quality of life and health.
Coping with asthma
Seizure steps
An asthma attack is an emergency, and having the right steps to deal with it can help patients get through the crisis safely, reducing possible complications and the risk of hospitalization.
1. Stay calm and adjust your posture
When an asthma attack occurs, the first thing you need to do is stay calm and adopt the correct posture:
Sitting: Sitting upright and avoiding lying on your back or stomach can help reduce the occurrence of breathlessness and bronchospasm.
2. Use asthma rescue medication
Asthma rescue medication is the primary tool for managing an asthma attack, including:
Inhaled short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists, such as albuterol (Ventolin), provide rapid relief of asthma symptoms by dilating bronchial smooth muscle.
Inhaled steroids: Used under medical guidance to help reduce inflammation and control asthma attacks.
3. Gradually relax your breathing and control
After the use of rescue medication, the patient should gradually relax his breathing and control his emotional state:
Take a deep breath: Inhale slowly and exhale as long as possible to help relieve breathlessness.
Avoid over-agitation: Emotional stability is essential to control asthma attacks, avoid over-agitation or panic.
4. Seek medical support
After managing an acute asthma attack, it is important to seek prompt medical support:
Doctor's advice: Adjust your medication regimen according to your doctor's advice to prevent future attacks.
Long-term management: Regular follow-up visits and monitoring to maintain a stable state of asthma and quality of life.
5. Others help and coping skills
If the asthma attack is severe or the person is unable to take care of themselves, others should learn the following coping skills:
Emergency contact: Maintain contact information and medical rescue knowledge, and be able to quickly take necessary rescue measures.
First aid training: Family members or co-workers can learn asthma first aid skills and improve their response through first aid training.
Mastering the above steps and skills to cope with asthma attacks can effectively improve the ability of asthma patients to cope with crises and reduce unnecessary health risks and emergencies.