It is important to recognize that signs and symptoms of asthma so that it may be detected and treated. If you believe you or a loved one is experiencing signs and symptoms of asthma, seek medical attention and further diagnosis.
Doctor’s Visit and General Questions
When you visit the doctor regarding your breathing concerns, there are questions he or she will ask in order to determine if you have asthma and the severity of your condition.
An Explanation
Asthma is a chronic disease which affects the airways of your respiratory system. If you suffer from asthma, your airways are hypersensitive to certain causes or triggers. When exposed to these triggers, your airways will contract. Inflammation and excessive mucus production will soon follow, leading to a further narrowing of the airways.
An asthmatic reaction is similar in many ways to an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction is the body’s immune system response to an “invader.” When the cells of the immune system sense an invader they set off a series of reactions to help fight off the invader.
An asthma attack is what happens when your asthma symptoms become worse than usual.
What is Happening?
During an asthma attack the muscles around your airways tighten more than usual, leading to a bronchospasm.
What’s the Difference?
Cardiac asthma is not true asthma, but rather breathing difficulties caused by heart failure. Bronchial asthma is another name for the common form of asthma most people are familiar with. The term “bronchial” is used mostly by doctors to differentiate it from cardiac asthma.