Asthma is a major non-communicable disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person. If someone has it, it is not very difficult to diagnose it.
WHO estimates that 235 million people currently suffer from asthma! Asthma is the most common non-communicable disease among children. Most deaths occur in older adults.
While there are numerous factors responsible for asthma, some of major identified ones are genetics, history of viral infections, hygiene hypothesis and early allergen exposure.
Chest physician Dr. Ravi Dosi in his observational study has also found that asthma is more likely to be passed on from mother to son and father to daughters. Further, one must understand that asthma does not only refer to severe condition where one needs rescue inhalers or nebulizers. Following are some common types of asthma:
Adult-Onset Asthma
In most cases, people develop asthma during childhood, though it can arise at any age. It cannot be entirely certain, but exposure to chemicals or irritants in the workplace can cause adult-onset asthma. Common allergens include cigarette smoke, some chemicals, dust, pollen and mould.
Allergic Asthma
Allergies are about your body’s immune system to defend germs such as bacteria and virus. Some people suffer from allergic asthma, where a person’s asthma symptoms with coughing, sneezing, runny rose, etc. are triggered by certain allergens.
Asthma-COPD Overlap
This happens when you have symptoms of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You usually get asthma because of allergies. COPD is mainly caused by breathing fumes that irritate your lungs.
Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)
If you start wheezing or coughing during exercise, or if physical exertion makes it difficult for you to breathe, you may have exercise-induced asthma.
Non-allergic Asthma
This is an immune response asthma. It tends to start later in life, is more common in females, and is typically more severe. Some possible triggers for non-allergic asthma include weather changes, cold air, exercise, indoor pollutants (household cleaners and chemicals cigarette smoke, perfumes), outdoor pollutants (ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide) and strong odours (perfumes, scented sprays, fresh pain, moth balls).
Occupational Asthma
If you experience wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath at work, you may have occupational asthma.
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