Both inhaler a pill may be needed to tackle asthma

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Asthma can be passed down to you from your parents through their genes or you may have no history of asthma in your family

Asthma is a chronic disease that makes it hard to get air into and out of your lungs. the most common symptoms are shortness of breath wheezing chest tightness and cough explains dr sherif mohamed fekry pulmonary disease specialist internal medicine zulekha hospital dubai.

Asthma can be passed down to you from your parents through their genes or you may have no history of asthma in your family.

If you have asthma your airways are more sensitive than normal. your airways can get irritated and tighten very easily by a variety of things called “triggers.”

If you have allergies you may also be more likely to have asthma. this type of asthma often begins in children but can happen in adults as well. common things that cause allergies are pollen from weeds trees and grass mold cockroaches dander from cats or dogs and dust mites. frequent lung or sinus infections can also cause asthma. infections can trigger longer episodes of wheezing or shortness of breath than those from allergies. in fact respiratory viruses are the most common cause of asthma attacks that are bad enough to keep you home from school or work.

Irritants that can also cause asthma are: exhaust fumes from cars chemicals like garden sprays molds and dust odours from paint perfumes colognes hair spray deodorants and cleaning products tobacco smoke temperature or weather changes stress or exercise medications including some heart or blood pressure medicine and sulfites in foods such as dried fruits wine and beer.

Asthma cannot be diagnosed without a breathing test. sometimes a breathing test called a pulmonary function test is also done. blood tests for allergies or for detecting problems with your immune system may also be ordered. medications will be prescribed that keep your airways open and reduce swelling so air can move in and out of your lungs more easily. you will be given an inhaler but you may also be given a pill as well as an inhaler. the most important thing about controlling your asthma is that you must take the medicine exactly as instructed.

>reliever or rescue bronchodilators relax the muscles around your airways.

>controllers include inhaled corticosteroids alone or in combination with long-acting bronchodilators. these medications must be taken on a regular basis and are designed to keep your airways open over time. inhaled corticosteroids decrease the swelling in your airways so that they are less likely to be irritated by triggers. pills may also be prescribed. it is not usually as effective as corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators.

>eat nutritious foods and get regular exercise. avoid people who smoke and those that may have an infection. get a yearly flu shot and a vaccine for pneumonia. try to cope with stress.

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