Asthma is a lung condition that impacts millions of people in the United States. This chronic, incurable disease leads to the narrowing and inflammation of the airway, decreasing airflow and making it hard for the sufferer to breathe. Although asthma symptoms can vary, many of those who experience asthma attacks may need immediate medical attention.
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Common Causes of Asthma
The exact cause of asthma is still unknown. But, there is a genetic component that may factor in. Respiratory infections to your child’s immune system during early childhood may also play a role.
However, asthma in Bellmawr occurs because of the allergic response of the body. Common triggers include pollen, dust, cigarette smoke, cold air, animals, exercise, and cold symptoms. If a person with allergic sensitivity breathes in some allergens, their airways can become inflamed, making the muscles surrounding the airways swell and tighten. Usually, the issue becomes worse as more mucus is produced than normal in response. With such reactions, getting air into the lungs will be hard.
Common Symptoms of Asthma
An asthma attack usually leaves a person experiencing breathing issues. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, and airway restrictions. The symptoms a person experiences vary in intensity depending on the response of their airways to the allergens encountered.
Asthma Prevention and Management
While there is no cure for asthma, medications and treatment options are available to help sufferers manage their disease. Proper asthma management is the key to living with asthma with only a few symptoms.
Those who experience symptoms of asthma can check with medical professionals at urgent care facilities. Although these facilities may not be operating 24/7, they usually operate for longer hours than primary care facilities. They can give immediate care to help patients adhere to their physicians’ action plans and manage their symptoms.
Seeking Medical Help for Asthma Reactions
People with asthma can experience mild to severe attacks. This variation has to do with the way the body responds to various allergens. While mild symptoms and asthma attacks don’t require immediate medical attention, severe symptoms must be dealt with urgently. Sometimes, the sufferer may need to be sent to the ER. The following are asthma-related conditions that may or may not require immediate medical care:
- Allergies. When the body is exposed to an allergen, the immune system will strongly react to it. Because of this allergen, the body will produce histamines as protection. Sadly, histamines cause undesirable symptoms that can be uncomfortable or very dangerous. People who have a strong reaction must seek medical attention right away.
- Allergic rhinitis. This condition presents symptoms such as coughing, watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy skin. Allergic rhinitis can result from seasonal allergies to certain kinds of pollen. Sufferers who need relief from allergy symptoms must seek medical help fast. An urgent care facility can help treat these symptoms and asthma. But, severe asthma attacks or anaphylaxis must be dealt with in a hospital. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include hives, a feeling of warmth, pale or flushed skin, wheezing, trouble breezing, airway restriction, and others.