Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects both children and adults. It is caused by inflammation and blockage of airways in the lungs which makes it harder to breathe. It is more prevalent in children. The World Health Organization has estimated that around 300 million children suffer from asthma worldwide. In India, 1 in 10 children suffer from it.
Despite the advancements in medicine, asthma is still underdiagnosed and undertreated. Many children with asthma go undiagnosed for years which may result in an increased risk of long-term asthma. Even when children display symptoms of asthma, it is often overlooked to the point of care. When childhood asthma is not treated, it leads to chronic conditions in adults.
Symptoms and signs
The most common symptoms are as follows
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Tight chest
- Coughing
Signs include:
- Constant wheezing, coughing and chest tightness
- Breathlessness while eating, speaking or sleeping
- Breathing faster
- Heart palpitations
- Drowsiness, confusion, exhaustion or dizziness
- Fainting
Causes
- Family history of asthma
- Environmental factors
- Allergy-related condition
- Exposure to smoke as a child
- Occupational asthma
- Exercise-induced asthma
Timely diagnosis and early intervention
Although asthma is a chronic and serious condition, it can be managed, if treated early. Early detection allows doctors to understand the disease better and develop an individualized treatment plan. Timely intervention stops the progression of the disease further. It helps prevent or minimize long-term lung impairment and can reduce the prevalence of symptoms and improve quality of life. It also enables individuals to manage the disease effectively without the risk of asthmatic attacks and other complications.
What happens if it is left untreated?
Untreated asthma can cause irreversible damage to the lungs and increases the risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Ignoring the early symptoms like cough, chest tightness, and wheezing can escalate asthmatic attacks which can be life-threatening. People with untreated asthma are more prone to respiratory infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. Hence it is important to treat it as early as possible to prevent more damage to the lungs.
Popular Diagnostic Tests for Asthma
Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs): It is the most common breathing test for detection. The patient takes a deep breath and breathes out in a tube connected to a spirometer which reveals how much air your lungs can breathe in and out.
FeNO: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide test measures the amount of nitric oxide in your breath and increased amounts of nitric oxide are a sign of inflamed lungs.
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) tests: This test is done with a small handheld device to measure how fast you can blow out air with maximum effort.
Other lab tests taken to rule out asthma
- X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) imaging of the chest
- CT Paranasal sinuses
- MRI Paranasal sinuses
- Blood tests
- Gastroesophageal reflux assessment
- Examination of the phlegm in the lungs for signs of a viral or bacterial infection
Challenges in Asthma diagnosis
Diagnosing the cause of breathing problems is a bit of a challenge. Given that, with conventional diagnostic tools, it’s difficult to differentiate asthma from other conditions, especially in young children. Besides, it often overlaps with other lung conditions which complicates diagnosis.
Generally, bronchoscopy with biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage is done to measure airway inflammation. However, it’s considered to be far too invasive on children. The analysis of biomarkers in exhaled breath is a non-invasive technique to check for inflammation especially in children. This technique particularly helps in the early diagnosis and monitoring of the disease.
Treatment
The most common method of treating the disease is the use of inhalers. There are two types of inhalers such as
- Bronchodilators act by opening the air passages in the lungs relieving asthmatic symptoms; and
- Steroids help reduce inflammation in the air passage to improve asthmatic symptoms and hence lower the risk of severe asthmatic attacks.
For individuals with severe asthma, administering injections of medicines called biologic therapies every few weeks can help. These injections can assist in controlling asthma significantly.
In severe cases, a procedure called Bronchial thermoplasty is performed.
In addition to medications, breathing exercises can alleviate symptoms and also regulates breathing pattern.
Early detection of the condition not only controls the risk of severe complications. It also decreases airway inflammation and improves lung function over time. In essence, strictly adhering to the medication prescribed, keeping track of your asthma symptoms, avoiding any triggers and working closely with your doctor can empower you to lead a life free from the limitations of asthma.
To keep your lung health in check, book an appointment or visit the nearest Center of Aarthi Scans and Labs.
