Asthma what does it affect

Other things can trigger asthma flare-ups too: Some girls find their asthma gets worse just before their periods. Even laughing, crying, and yelling can sometimes make the airways tighten. Many people with asthma compare a flare-up to the feeling of trying to breathe through a straw — it feels very hard to get air in and out of their lungs. An asthma flare-up can last for several hours or longer if a person doesn't use asthma medicine. When a flare-up is over, the person usually feels better.

Between flare-ups, breathing can seem completely normal, although some people may cough or feel as if they are always short of breath. To diagnose asthma, a doctor will do a physical exam and ask about the person's medical history, including whether anyone else in the family has asthma. The doctor might do tests like spirometry pronounced: spye-RAH-muh-tree or peak flow meter tests. These involve blowing into devices that can measure how well the lungs are working. Allergy tests or exercise tests can tell doctors if asthma is brought on by allergens or physical activity.

Doctors may use X-rays to rule out other problems. There's no cure for asthma, but it can be managed to prevent flare-ups. Asthma treatment involves two important components: avoiding triggers and taking medicine. People with asthma need to avoid the things that might cause flare-ups. Of course, some triggers can't be completely avoided like catching a cold. But exposure to other triggers, such as pet dander , can be controlled. Keep your environment clear of potential allergens, like dust or secondhand smoke.

Don't smoke or quit if you do. Pay attention to the weather and stay indoors or limit your exercise to indoor activities when you know weather or air pollution may affect you.

Doctors help people with exercise-induced asthma manage physical activity, not avoid it. Exercise can help people stay healthier overall. Doctors can help people find treatments that allow them to them participate in their sports — in fact, many professional athletes have asthma. Most asthma medicines are breathed directly into the lungs inhaled , but some are pills or liquids.

There two types of medicines are:. Some people with asthma only need quick-relief medicine; others need both kinds of medicine to keep their asthma in check.

It's similar to how your skin becomes red, irritated and sensitive after a sunburn. This hypersensitive state makes the airways react to things that you are exposed to every day, or asthma "triggers. Learn more about how the air we breathe plays a role in our health. When you experience a trigger, the insides of your airways swell even more. This narrows the space for air to move in and out of the lungs. The muscles that wrap around your airways also can tighten, making breathing even harder.

When that happens, it's called an asthma flare-up, asthma episode or asthma "attack. After an asthma flare-up, you probably will feel tired. You're also at greater risk of having another flare-up for several days after an episode. For the days following a flare-up, be sure to:.

Poor asthma management can lead to airway remodeling. Airway remodeling is a serious condition that happens when asthma is untreated or poorly managed. Providing safe, high-quality and cost-effective care for our patients is our foremost responsibility. The care of our patients and their families will always be at the heart of our mission.

Our Mission. Having asthma can affect a person in many ways. Physical effects can range from the somewhat annoying an occasional cough all the way to the life-threatening not being able to breathe.

The frequency and seriousness of asthma symptoms depends on the overall severity of the asthma and how well it is controlled. Whether your asthma causes mild or severe symptoms, it's essential to have an asthma management plan in place. The asthma doctors at UI Health can help. We'll take the time to understand your symptoms and gauge the severity of your asthma. Then we'll work with you to put together a plan that will address the physical effects asthma is having on your body.

Asthma symptoms and severity vary substantially from person to person. Most people with asthma do not have symptoms constantly. Bothersome asthma symptoms can mean that asthma is not controlled sufficiently or that an acute asthma episode may be starting.