Asthma can be defined as an inflammation of the airways. It is classified as a inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. Patients suffering from asthma find it difficult to breathe and also find it challenging or even impossible, in some cases, to perform strenuous physical activities.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions. To understand this condition better, lets get an understanding of the function of a breath. With each breath a person takes, air first passes through the nose or the mouth, then passes through the throat and eventually makes it all the way into the lungs.

The lungs comprise of numerous small air passages whose primary function is the delivery of oxygen into the bloodstream from the surrounding air. Initial symptoms of asthma occur when the lining of their airways swell up and the surrounding muscles tighten. The airways are then filled with mucus, which further restricts the amount of air that can enter the respiratory system.

Such conditions often lead to an asthma attack, which is typically characterized by coughing and tightness of the chest.

Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma is most easily recognized by wheezing, which can be defined as a whistling or squealing sound that is made when an asthmatic patient breathes. Other than this, there are a few more symptoms of asthma. These other symptoms are as follows.

Shortness of breath

Difficulty in speaking

Coughing, especially while laughing, at nighttime, or during exercise

Panic or anxiousness

Tightness of the chest

Fatigue

The symptoms of asthma differ from person to person due to the type of asthma the person may be suffering from. Not every person suffering from asthma will experience the same symptoms. Typically, the first indication for a person who may have asthma may not be an asthma attack.

Types of Asthma

Asthma comes in various types. The most common type of asthma is bronchial asthma, which is known to affect the bronchi present in the lungs. Other types of asthma include adult-onset asthma and childhood asthma. As the names suggest, adult-onset asthma doesn’t appear until the person is at least 20 years of age, whereas childhood asthma is present from a much younger age.

There are a few more types of asthma, which are mentioned below.

Intrinsic Asthma (Nonallergic Asthma)

The presence of irritants in the air, which aren’t related to allergies, trigger this type of asthma. These irritants can be:

• Perfumes
• Air fresheners
• Cold air
• Burning wood
• Viral illnesses
• Household cleaning products
• Cigarette smoke
• Air pollution

Extrinsic Asthma (Allergic Asthma)

This type of asthma is triggered by allergens. This type is mostly seasonal as it often goes hand-in-hand with allergies that are seasonal. These allergens may include:

• Food
• Dust
• Pet dander from animals such as dogs and cats
• Pollen
• Mold

Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction

This type of asthma generally affects asthmatic people within a few minutes of beginning to exercise, and sometimes after about 15 minutes after physical activity.

Nocturnal Asthma

In nocturnal asthma, the symptoms noticeably worsen during the night. This type of asthma includes symptoms such as heartburn, dust mites, and pet dander.

Cough-Variant Asthma (CVA)

This type of asthma does not have the classic symptoms of asthma but is characterized by dry cough that is persistent. This type of asthma, if not treated within due time, can lead to more serious symptoms of asthma.

Occupational Asthma

This type of asthma is triggered by workplaces conditions such as dyes, dust, fumes, rubber latex, gases, industrial chemicals and exist in industries such as textiles, farming, manufacturing, and woodworking.

Aspirin-Induced Asthma

This is also known as aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) and is usually severe. It is triggered by the intake of aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Aspirin-induced asthma develops in adults around the ages of 20 to 50.

Diagnosis

While there is no test that can currently determine whether a person has asthma or not, doctors generally use various criteria to determine if the symptoms result from asthma or not. The diagnosis of asthma includes a physical examination, health history, and, in some cases, breathing tests.

Grocare®'s Ayurveda Treatment For Asthma

Asthma treatment differs from patient to patient, which is usually according to the severity of their asthma, their age, and their triggers. In terms of line of treatment, this depends on the doctor and their specialties.

Doctors can prescribe drugs that reduce the symptoms or direct patients to follow certain breathing exercises. Ayurveda has formulated certain asthma kits that comprise products such as Grocare®'s Abronym® and Absogen®. These products are based on research and work as supplements that help in controlling anti-inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen, or CRP. They also effectively melt the mucus deposits and blockages in the lung cavities and bronchial tubes.