What Are Common Asthma Attack Triggers
An asthma attack happens when someone comes in contact with substances that irritate them. Healthcare providers call these substances triggers. Knowing what triggers your asthma makes it easier to avoid asthma attacks.
For some people, a trigger can bring on an attack right away. Sometimes, an attack may start hours or days later.
Triggers can be different for each person. But some common triggers include:
- Air pollution: Many things outside can cause an asthma attack. Air pollution includes factory emissions, car exhaust, wildfire smoke and more.
- Dust mites: You cant see these bugs, but they are in many homes. If you have a dust mite allergy, they can cause an asthma attack.
- Exercise: For some people, exercising can cause an attack.
- Mold: Damp places can spawn mold. It can cause problems for people with asthma. You dont even have to be allergic to mold to have an attack.
- Pests: Cockroaches, mice and other household pests can cause asthma attacks.
- Pets: Your pets can cause asthma attacks. If youre allergic to pet dander , breathing in the dander can irritate your airways.
- Tobacco smoke: If you or someone in your home smokes, you have a higher risk of developing asthma. The best solution is to quit smoking.
- Strong chemicals or smells.
With asthma, you may not have all of these symptoms. You may have different signs at different times. And symptoms can change between asthma attacks.
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You can develop asthma at any time in your life. Its possible not to have asthma as a child and develop it later as an adult. Its also possible to have long periods where asthma is inactive, and then have symptoms return later in life.
Keep A Diary Of Your Childs Symptoms
Keep a diary of symptoms to discuss with your doctor. The diary could include:
- a video or audio recording of the wheezing you could use your mobile phone
- when the symptoms occur such as during the day or worse at night
- how bad the symptoms are and how often they happen
- how long the symptoms remain and whether they change with time
- whether the symptoms are worse after exercise, playing or after an infection
- whether the symptoms are worse after exposure to animals, pollens or mould.
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Can You Develop Asthma And Will It Go Away
Did you know its possible for individuals to outgrow asthma, and for non-affected children to develop asthma as an adult? According to the CDC, asthma affects more than 25 million people in the United States and the prevalence of asthma has been increasing since the early 1980s. As of 2020, about 1 in 13 people have asthma meaning it affects about 8% of the total population.
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Did you know its possible for individuals to outgrow asthma, and for non-affected children to develop asthma as an adult?
According to the CDC, asthma affects more than 25 million people in the United States and the prevalence of asthma has been increasing since the early 1980s. As of 2020, about 1 in 13 people have asthma meaning it affects about 8% of the total population.
Its important to understand that childhood asthma is different than adult-onset asthma. In this overview, well explain everything you need to know about all the types of asthma such as how you can develop asthma and if it can go away.
What Can I Do To Reduce Asthma Symptoms
- Learn your childs triggers.
- Allergens like dust mites, pets, pests, molds and pollen can play a role in some childrens asthma. Discuss with your health care provider whether an evaluation by an allergist may be helpful.
- Follow your asthma management plan and give the medicines prescribed by your childs doctor.
- Avoid smoking near your child.
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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.
Why Do More Boys Outgrow Asthma Than Girls
Although a recent study found that boys were more likely than girls to outgrow asthma, Rachelefsky says there isnât enough research to make any conclusions about gender and the progression of asthma.
Panettieri says more girls develop asthma after the onset of puberty boys develop it before.
âItâs not that boys outgrow it, but now there are more women with it,â he says.
Some studies have suggested that hormonal differences may factor in to a higher prevalence of adult asthma in women.
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Do Children Outgrow Asthma
How asthma will affect a child throughout his or her lifetime varies.
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Many infants and toddlers may wheeze when sick with a viral illness, such as cold or flu. But most of these children don’t get asthma later in life.
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Some children with persistent wheezing and asthma get better during the teen years.
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About half of the children who have asthma at a young age seem to outgrow it. But asthma symptoms may come back later in life.
Would You Prioritize People With Asthma For Vaccine Purposes
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the lungs. People with moderate to severe asthma can be put into the category of living with a chronic health condition. This is because of the relative risk of worse outcomes given that COVID-19 also affects the lungs.
I think that deciding which conditions are given vaccine priority is very difficult.
There are certain conditions that, when people with these conditions also have COVID-19, are very likely to lead to poor outcomes. These conditions include obesity, diabetes, and COPD. Asthma isnt one of these conditions.
Were not necessarily seeing higher numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in people with asthma. The study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine showed that.
At the end of the day, if you have severe and difficult to manage asthma and your lungs are inflamed at baseline, then you may theoretically not have a very good outcome with COVID-19. Thats especially true if your lungs are affected.
Unfortunately, we dont have national guidelines for this. In New York State, moderate to severe asthma is on the vaccine priority list. So, not for the people who have mild asthma.
Its for the people who have moderate to severe asthma, which means that theyre likely on a controller medication.
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How Is Asthma Diagnosed In Infants And Toddlers
It is hard to diagnose asthma in infants and toddlers. Since they are not able to talk well, they cannot describe how they are feeling. A fussy baby could mean many things. Toddlers and preschoolers are often active, even with chest tightness or trouble breathing.Parents should give the following information to their childs doctor:
- Family history of asthma or allergies
- The childs behavior
- Breathing symptom patterns
- Potential triggers and responses to foods or possible allergy triggers
Lung function tests often used to make a complete asthma diagnosis are hard to do with young children. Instead, the doctor may see how the child responds to medications to improve breathing. The doctor may order blood tests, allergy testing and X-rays to get more information.Using this information, the doctor can make the best diagnosis. Parents may need to take their child to a pediatric allergist or pulmonologist for special testing or treatment.
It Is Highly Treatable But It Cannot Be Cured
A cure hasnt been found yet, but the asthma symptoms can be treated. The available treatment options will allow the person to live a full, productive, and enjoyable life.
There is more than one treatment option available, as well. Some treatments may not work as well for one person as they do for another, so it may take some trial and error to get it right.
Once the correct treatment option is in place, the disease shouldnt flare up as often as before. With treatment and the avoidance of triggers, it shouldnt interfere with everyday life anymore.
8. Physical activity is still an option.
It is true that those with this disease have to be more careful than others, but that doesnt mean they cannot participate in physical activity at all. With the right medication, asthmatic sufferers can live a normal life, including being active. Moderation is also important but, as long as the asthmatic person is aware of their limits, it isnt an issue.
The asthmatic person will be able to participate in all the sports they love, and exercise just as often as a person who does not have the disease.
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How Can I Stop My Asthma Getting Worse Over Time
The best way to stop your asthma getting worse over time is to stick to a good routine of taking your preventer medicines as prescribed.
And if you notice your symptoms are getting worse, see your GP or asthma nurse as soon as possible so they can review your treatment.
You can also cut your risk of frequent asthma attacks, and your asthma getting worse, by stopping smoking.
Having an asthma review at least once a year, gives you a chance to talk through any symptoms or new triggers. You can check youre on the right medicine and that youre using your inhaler in the right way to get the most benefits.
You can also talk to your GP or asthma nurse about whether you need a higher dose or an add-on treatment to help with symptoms.
When To See A Gp
See a GP if you think you or your child may have asthma.
Several conditions can cause similar symptoms, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and correct treatment.
The GP will usually be able to diagnose asthma by asking about symptoms and carrying out some simple tests.
Find out more about how asthma is diagnosed.
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What Should I Do If I Want Asthma To Go Away
In response to the question does asthma go away, it seems that the correct answer is a wholehearted maybe. It is important to be mindful of asthma as ignoring it is wrought with risk. However, if you or your child have experienced a significant improvement in symptoms you may want to talk with your doctor about decreasing or stopping medication.
Vaping And Lung Damage
- Talk with your teen about the dangers of vaping.
- Vaping can cause severe lung damage. It can become permanent.
- Vaping can even cause death .
- Vaping tobacco also causes nicotine addiction.
- For these reasons, the legal age to purchase vaping products is 21 in the US.
- Encourage your teen to not start vaping or to give it up.
- Warning: home-made or street-purchased vaping solutions are the most dangerous.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma In Children
The symptoms of asthma in children include
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing, which causes a whistling sound when they breathe out
- Trouble eating or sucking
These symptoms can range from mild to severe. They may happen often or only once in a while.
When children have an asthma attack, their symptoms get much worse. The attacks may come on gradually or suddenly. Sometimes they can be life-threatening. Warning signs of a severe attack include severe coughing, serious breathing problems, and turning very pale or blue in the face, lips and/or fingernails. If your child has those symptoms, get medical help right away.
What To Expect When You Visit The Doctor
Your doctor may ask whether you have any family history of asthma, eczema or hay fever.
In children, doctors assess the severity of the asthma based on the pattern and frequency of the symptoms.
Lung function tests are difficult to perform in children younger than 5 years and so are usually only used to diagnose and assess severity in children 5 years and older.
It is recommended that a paediatrician or paediatric respiratory specialist diagnose and manage asthma in infants under 12 months. If your infant is wheezing your doctor should refer to you one of these specialists.
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What Is The Best Way To Live With Asthma
The key to good living with asthma is developing a strong partnership between patients, caregivers, and physicians. Practical steps include the following:
Make an asthma care management plan with your physician. An asthma management plan helps you understand what to do when specific situations arise. Each time you visit the physician, talk about your plan, and make any necessary changes.
Educate yourself. Stay informed about the latest developments in asthma and allergy care and treatment. Ask your physician about new medications or research findings that may relate to your care.
Get regular medical care. If you have asthma, you should see your physician at least once a year, even if your symptoms are under control. When you become sick, or if you have significant changes in your health, you should also talk with your physician about how your asthma could be affected.
Take your medicine. Your asthma medications will make you feel better and sometimes people think thats the time to stop. Its not! Use your medications as prescribed.
With good management, asthma symptoms can be controlled. Most people who develop adult onset asthma are able to lead normal lives. Expect success!
Keep Taking Prescribed Medications
Long-term controller medications may also help treat your asthma and prevent symptoms from returning. Its important not to stop taking your prescribed medications even if your symptoms are better.
If you stop taking your medications as prescribed, this could cause your symptoms to return at a higher severity, leading to an over-reliance on fast-acting inhalers and other rescue medications.
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Why Did My Asthma Go Away
Even if there were, they were 1-2 days long at most. This is your chance to stop it coming on. It took 6 months of doctors visits before my son was officially diagnosed with asthma. Mayo Clinic Healthy Living, why did my asthma go away the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Not taking preventer inhalers or medicines Preventer medicines reduce swelling by soothing inflammation in your airways, when you take them as prescribed. Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UKs Clinical Lead and in-house GP. What are the best types of exercise for asthma?
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Controlling Asthma Through The Years
Be honest with your child about asthma. Remember, as your child grows, that independence is an important goal. Children with asthma don’t want to be different. But they need guidance and supervision.
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Toddlers. This age group relies completely on the parents. These children understand little about asthma. The most important factor with this age group is to try to make medicine time fun. But you must also stress the importance of taking the medicines. Let children help in any way possible.
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School-age. These children are more able to understand asthma. They should be taught about their medicines and how to stay away from their triggers. They should begin to watch their own symptoms.
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Teens. Often, teens resist taking long-term medicines. They also don’t like restrictions and don’t want to be different. Involve teens in every part of asthma management. They should help with goal setting and help decide which medicines work best. An asthma care contract can be used. It should allow for teen self-care while allowing overall parental supervision.
Having asthma doesn’t mean having less fun than other teens. It is important for your teen to tell his or her friends about their triggers.
Always talk with your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has questions or concerns.
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Which Children Are At Risk For Asthma
Certain factors raise the risk of asthma in children:
- Being exposed to secondhand smoke when their mother is pregnant with them or when they are small children
- Genetics and family history. Children are more likely to have asthma if one of their parents has it, especially if its the mother.
- Race or ethnicity. Black and African Americans and Puerto Ricans are at higher risk of asthma than people of other races or ethnicities.
- Having other medical conditions such as allergies and obesity
- Often having viral respiratory infections as young children
- Sex. In children, asthma is more common in boys. In teens, it is more common in girls.
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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