Understanding Asthma
Asthma is a disease affecting the airways. Three factors affect the airways, leading them to narrow :
INFLAMMATION (SWELLING)
The airway walls become red and swollen. Decreasing and controlling this swelling is the key to managing asthma. Chronic swelling is thought to lead to more frequent asthma attacks and long-term damage.
MUCOUS (PHLEGM)
Excessive and sometimes sticky secretions can block up the airways.
AIRWAY NARROWING
Small muscles around the airways tighten more easily, leading to narrowing of the airways. This leads to a drop in the amount of air that can be inhaled and can sometimes lead to wheezing.
Asthma & Your Airways
The factors above can lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing. Approximately 1 in 10 Malaysians are affected by asthma. Unfortunately, only 40% of Malaysian adults with asthma believe their symptoms are well-controlled.
Do you think yours is well-controlled? Complete the Asthma Control Test to find out. Although asthma is not curable, with the right treatment and management, asthma can be very well controlled.
What Causes An Asthma Attack ?
There are many different expressions and experiences when an ‘asthma attack’ occurs. Below are a few examples.
It’s a terrifying experience. I struggled to draw in full breaths.
It feels like I'm drowning.
It feels like there is something heavy on my chest.
It feels like there's a cloud in my lungs.
Expressions vary, but they tend to be linked to the symptoms and signs of asthma. During an attack, inhalers do not seem to help and symptoms worsen despite repeated use.
Symptoms may include:
Tightness in Chest
Wheezing
Coughing
Breathing Difficulties
Want to Know
More About Asthma Attack ?
During an attack, the airways are more swollen, leading to greater obstruction. This makes it difficult for oxygen to enter the lungs and for carbon dioxide to be removed. The situation is worsened by muscles that press on the airways and increasing phlegm, leading to even narrower passages.
A mild attack will only last a few minutes and resolve either spontaneously or with a reliever. Severe attacks will progress even with inhaler use, and will require prompt assessment by a doctor. As the situation worsens, the patient may become more breathless to the point of having difficulty speaking or carrying out normal physical activities. Without adequate treatment, it will lead to respiratory failure and collapse.