Can You Have Asthma Without Wheezing

Are There Any Special Considerations For Adults Who Develop Asthma

People with multiple medical conditions need to be aware of how their illnesses and the medications they use may affect one another.

If you take more than one medication, talk with your physician about ways to simplify your medication program. Explore the possibility of combining medications or using alternate ones that will have the same desired effect. Be sure to discuss potential drug interactions with anything you take including vitamins or herbal supplements.

S To Survive An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler

Most experience an asthma attack without realising theyre suffering from it and are not prepared for what follows

Munnazzah RazaKARACHI:Chest tightening, wheezing, gasping for air if youve ever experienced an asthma attack youll know what the feeling is like. While most people know the drill, some experience these symptoms without even realising that theyre suffering from this condition and are usually not prepared for what follows.Triggers:1. Move away from the trigger2. Breathing techniqueThe NY Times3. Stay calm4. Drink coffee or non-herbal tea5. Seek medical help

And Heres What You Can Expect With Treatment Which Is Generally Either Long

One of the most important ways to treat asthma is to avoid being exposed to your triggers, Dr. Wilgus says. Of course, that can feel impossible if your trigger is something thats seemingly everywhere, like dust or pollen. Though you can definitely take steps to reduce your exposure to those, avoiding them entirely is tough. Luckily, there are medications that can help when youve done everything you can trigger-wise.

Asthma medications generally fall into two categories: long-term preventive medications and fast-acting drugs that can help when youre having an asthma attack or on your way to one. Long-term preventive medications like allergy medications and inhaled anti-inflammatory corticosteroids are designed to help control your asthma so youre less likely to have an asthma attack in the first place, the Mayo Clinic says. Quick-relief medications , like short-acting beta agonists that you use via an inhaler, can help relax your airways when theyre acting up enough that your asthma is noticeably worse.

Whatever you do, dont resign yourself to living with asthma symptoms like trouble breathing and coughing all the time. Asthma is a very controllable illness as long as the signs and symptoms are not ignored, Dr. Parikh says.

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Q: Can A Child Have Asthma Without Wheezing My Child Coughs A Lot When He’s Running Around Playing Sports

A: Good question! It is possible for a child to have asthma even if he doesn’t wheeze consistently. Sometimes asthma can take the form of a hacking cough whenever a kid exerts himself too hard. Other symptoms may include chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Talk to your pediatrician about your son’s symptoms. She’ll probably have some questions about his medical history, since certain factors — like family history or having seasonal allergies — make kids more prone to the condition. The doctor may also want to perform a painless test on your son to check for any airway narrowing . During the test, your child will breathe into a machine called a spirometer, or a device called a peak flow reader to determine how well he’s breathing.

If your child is diagnosed with asthma, your doctor may not put him on a daily medication right away until she has a better idea of how often the coughing episodes happen. She may suggest you carry a rescue inhaler in your purse for when sudden symptoms crop up. If your son attends school or daycare, you should also give an inhaler to his teacher or school nurse in case he has an episode there.

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So What Are The Symptoms You Should Watch Out For

Which signs of asthma you might experience differs from person to person and some are more common than others, Raymond Casciari, M.D., a pulmonologist at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California, tells SELF. Its possible that youll have such a mild reaction to one of your personal asthma triggers that you dont take much note of it. But if the effects get worse, they can turn into an asthma attack, which is a potentially life-threatening exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Thats why its so important to know the common signs of asthma, including the more subtle ones.

These are classic asthma signs you should know:

Some people may have these less common signs of asthma:

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What Does Asthma Feel Like

Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Common asthma symptoms include:

• Coughing, especially at night
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

Still, not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your asthma symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.

Some people with asthma may go for extended periods without having any symptoms, interrupted by periodic worsening of their symptoms called asthma attacks. Others might have asthma symptoms every day. In addition, some people may only have asthma during exercise, or asthma with viral infections like colds.

Mild asthma attacks are generally more common. Usually, the airways open up within a few minutes to a few hours. Severe attacks are less common but last longer and require immediate medical help. It is important to recognize and treat even mild asthma symptoms to help you prevent severe episodes and keep asthma under better control.

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What If I Have Asthma And Coronavirus

Though asthma does not in itself put you at greater risk to contract coronavirus, those individuals with some forms of asthma may be at risk for complications and may get sicker from coronavirus. The Surgeon General of the United States, recently brought this to the attention of the American public. However, according to the CDC, this concern applies only to individuals with persistent moderate to severe asthma though there is no published data that actually supports this assertion at this time. Fortunately, the vast majority of individuals with asthma have intermittent asthma meaning they have infrequent symptoms and use a rescue inhaler less than 2x/week not including preventative use before exercise. Individuals with moderate persistent asthma are usually on a maintenance inhaler which contains moderate to high doses of inhaled steroids with or without long acting bronchodilators. Individuals with severe persistent asthma are on higher doses of inhaled steroids with or without biologic therapy and have significant limitations in lung function.

Since coronavirus can infect your respiratory tract , the COVID-19 respiratory virus, like other respiratory viruses like influenza, can precipitate an asthma attack and possibly lead to a viral pneumonia and in the worse case acute respiratory failure from ARDS .

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There Are Many Different Types Of Asthma Brought On By Many Different Triggers

If youre struggling with asthma symptoms trouble breathing, a persistent cough or tightness in the chest an allergist can help you take control by providing a diagnosis and identifying the underlying causes.

Learn about the triggers and treatment for allergic asthma and how an allergist can help you manage allergy and asthma symptoms.

What Kind Of Physician Treats Adult Onset Asthma

Many older patients are treated for asthma by their internist or family physician however, if your asthma symptoms are not under control within three to six months, or if you have severe persistent asthma, or if you are having asthma episodes that need emergency treatment, it may be time to see an asthma specialist. Allergists/Immunologists or pulmonologists are specialists who treat asthma. Those who have completed training in those specialties are usually called board-certified or board-eligible.

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Difference Between Bronchospasm And Asthma

As far as our general health and wellness are concerned, in order to ensure we remain as fit and healthy as we possibly can, its important that we take care of ourselves on the inside, as well as on the outside.

With more and more people suffering from breathing disorders and difficulties every single day, its important that we understand how some common, yet avoidable, breathing-related conditions work.In todays article, were going to be looking at Bronchospasms and Asthma, placing more of an emphasis on Bronchospasms today.

Below youll find a detailed breakdown of what Bronchospasms actually are, what causes the condition, symptoms, natural treatments, and how they differ from Asthma.

So, if youre ready, well now learn more about Bronchospasms and Asthma

In This Article …

• How To Treat Bronchospasm Naturally At Home?

How To Control An Asthma Attack When Caught Without An Inhaler

Breathing is so automatic for most people that we hardly ever give it a second thought. If you have asthma, or if your child has asthma, though, you never take breathing for granted.

When you suffer from , your airways narrow and swell and can even produce extra mucus, all of which make breathing difficult. Asthma can also cause lots of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

This is especially true if you experience a full-blown asthma attack. Most people with asthma try to keep a rescue inhaler with them so they can have quick access to medicine such as albuterol, which can control their symptoms.

But what if you have an asthma attack while you dont have your inhaler with you? This can be a dangerous situation, but at Sulkowski Family Medicine, weve learned a few tips over the years that can help you out. Heres what we recommend:

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Environmental Factors And Asthma

Indoor air pollution such as cigarette smoke, mold, and noxious fumes from household cleaners and paints can cause allergic reactions and asthma. Environmental factors such as pollution, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone, cold temperatures, and high humidity are all known to trigger asthma in susceptible individuals. In fact, asthma symptoms and hospital admissions are greatly increased during periods of heavy air pollution. Ozone is the major destructive ingredient in smog. It causes coughing, shortness of breath, and even chest pain — and can boost the susceptibility to infection. Sulfur dioxide, another component of smog, also irritates the airways and constricts the air passages, resulting in asthma attacks.

Gas stoves are the primary source of indoor nitrogen dioxide, a common indoor pollutant. Studies show that people who cook with gas are more likely to have wheezing, breathlessness, asthma attacks, and hay fever than those who cook with other methods. It is estimated that more than half of the households in the U.S. use gas stoves.

Weather changes can also result in asthma attacks in some people. For instance, cold air causes airway congestion and an increase in mucus production. Increases in humidity may also cause breathing difficulty in a certain population.

Does Steam Or Vaporizer Reduce Chances Of An Asthma Attack At Night

Generally, steam or vaporizer can liquefy mucus when breathing problems are caused by an allergy or cold. This can help a person feel better. On the other hand, asthma is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Steam or vaporizer can cause irritations and worsen breathing problems.

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When Should I Go To The Emergency Room

If your skin, mouth or nails are turning blue, then you arent getting enough air into your lungs. This is a medical emergency and you should have a family member or friend take you to the nearest urgent care or emergency room. If youre alone, call 911 and describe your breathing.

If you suddenly start wheezing after a bee sting, after you take a new medication or eat a new food, that could indicate an allergic reaction and you should go to the emergency room immediately.

Whatever the cause of your wheezing, there are things you can do to get relief. Follow your healthcare providers directions, dont smoke, take all medications as prescribed and run a vaporizer or humidifier to moisten the air. Doing all of these things will help you breathe easier.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/24/2020.

References

How Is Asthma Treated

Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you and stay away from things that can trigger an attack to control your asthma.

Everyone with asthma does not take the same medicine.

You can breathe in some medicines and take other medicines as a pill. Asthma medicines come in two typesquick-relief and long-term control. Quick-relief medicines control the symptoms of an asthma attack. If you need to use your quick-relief medicines more and more, visit your doctor to see if you need a different medicine. Long-term control medicines help you have fewer and milder attacks, but they dont help you while you are having an asthma attack.

Asthma medicines can have side effects, but most side effects are mild and soon go away. Ask your doctor about the side effects of your medicines.

Remember you can control your asthma. With your doctors help, make your own asthma action plan. Decide who should have a copy of your plan and where he or she should keep it. Take your long-term control medicine even when you dont have symptoms.

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Do I Have Greater Risk For Getting Coronavirus If I Have Asthma

In a time when asthma symptoms may be flaring due to weather changes and seasonal spring pollens, people with asthma may worry whether their asthma may put them at risk for getting coronavirus . It can be confusing because both asthma and coronavirus share symptoms of cough and shortness of breath. The good news that the chance of getting coronavirus for anyone with asthma is really no different than for someone without asthma. Getting coronavirus comes down to an individuals exposure to suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus or to symptomatic carrier of SARS-CoV-2 virus . Therefore, to reduce your risk of getting coronavirus whether you have asthma or not, practice the social distancing, hand washing, mask and glove protection, and surface disinfection that has been promoted by the CDC and public health and infectious disease experts .

Signs Of Asthma Absolutely Everyone Should Know

You might think you know the signs of asthma because hey, it seems like one of those health conditions that is absolutely unmistakable. Its kind of obvious if you justcant really breathe, right? Sure, but asthma symptoms can present with a lot more complexity and subtlety than that. Many people do not realize they have asthma and deal with daily symptoms, Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network, tells SELF. Because of that, you should be aware of the signs of asthma so you dont write them off for months or even years without realizing you have this persistentand ultimately treatablehealth condition.

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Yoga And Practising Mindfulness

The benefits of yoga are manifold. If you want to get relief from your asthma symptoms, make sure you do yoga every single day. Yoga incorporates breathing and stretching exercises. It will help to increase your flexibility and also boost your overall fitness. Some yoga poses that can help open your throat and chest are the bound angle pose, bow pose, bridge pose, camel pose, cat pose, cobra pose, cow pose, and cat pose among many others. Meditate every day and increase focus on your mind and body. The focus on breath and stress control from yoga and meditation will help you a lot in breathing easily.

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Diagnosing The Cause Of Wheezing

Your doctor will ask you questions like:

• How long have you been wheezing?
• Does it happen when you exercise?
• Do you wheeze all the time?
• Do you wheeze more during the day, or at night?
• Does rest help control it?
• Do you wheeze when you breathe in, or out, or both in and out?
• Do you smoke?
• Do certain foods seem to cause your wheezing?

Theyâll listen to your breathing and the sounds your lungs make. They might do tests like:

• X-rays to get a picture of your lungs
• Lung function tests to see how well theyâre working
• Blood test to check your oxygen levels.

If your child is wheezing, their doctor might check to see if theyâve swallowed or inhaled something small.

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Tips To Sleep Better With Severe Asthma At Night

Nocturnal asthma is associated with poor sleep quality. This condition of sleeplessness and its effects are worse for children. The average total sleep quality score of children affected by asthma is 51, which is above the clinical cut off of 41, but it indicates the pervasive sleep disturbances among this population.

Here are a few tips that can help you sleep better with asthma at night: