By Ernst Lamothe Jr.
The lungs and airways are an important part of the respiratory system that effectively carries and stores oxygen.
A properly functioning respiratory system allows breaths to flow in and out of the lungs and into the airways. This is not always the case for individuals because some suffer from a well-known medical condition called asthma.
One in 13 people in the United States have asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“There is a perception that asthma is not a serious disease and a failure to recognize that. [In fact] in 2021, 3,517 people died from complications of asthma,” said physician Stanley A. Schwartz, division chief of allergy, immunology and rheumatology at the University at Buffalo medical department’s internal medicine. “Currently, asthma causes approximately $56 billion in healthcare costs in the United States with hospitalizations making up a significant proportion of that cost.”
Schwartz, who is also a distinguished professor of medicine at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, discusses five components people should know about asthma.
1. Causes
Asthma appears in children and some adults who develop the medical condition later in life. Each occurrence in children and adults arises with different symptoms that are important to understand if faced with similar symptoms.
“While there is no specific genetic basis for asthma, children born to a single parent with asthma have an increased risk of developing asthma, which increases when both parents are asthmatic,” said Schwatz.
Individuals can have situational asthma and can experience symptoms with exertion, exercise or during working hours if they have occupational exposures in the workplace. In the younger pediatric population like infants, respiratory infections are a significant cause of asthma triggers, especially viral infections such as viruses of the common cold, flu, RSV or other viruses. A major asthma trigger in individuals with a history of allergies is allergens such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites and others.
“When there are significant levels of these substances in the air and they are inhaled by patients with allergic asthma, they can trigger an attack,” Schwartz said.
2. Air quality
This year we’ve had a number of days that were labeled as poor quality. Smoke from wildfires can contain harmful particles and gases and exposure to these can cause acute respiratory symptoms especially for individuals with asthma.
“The dangerous air quality can also cause an attack. This was recently exemplified by the drifting smoke from Canadian and U.S. wildfires that caused many asthmatic patients to experience exacerbations this summer. While most but not all cases of asthma are associated with allergies it is important to recognize some cases of asthma are not,” he added.
3. Misconceptions
Some people believe that asthma is just a childhood disease but in fact, it affects people of all ages. While it is more likely for this to begin in childhood, it can develop later in life. In addition, some myths about asthma treatment have caused some patients to avoid being seen or treated.
There is an incorrect conception that children with asthma will likely outgrow it. Although spontaneous remissions can occur, this is very uncommon and asthma should be considered a chronic disease that deserves lifelong treatment, said Schwartz.
Asthma guidelines are updated periodically and we encourage individuals with asthma to regularly follow up with their allergist or pulmonologist to make adjustments on their medication.
4. Handling asthma
Asthma can be managed with proper medical treatment, lifestyle and education. It is important to be in tune and recognize our symptoms and understand scenarios that can trigger asthma and this includes identifying and avoiding triggers such as allergens, smoke, pollution and respiratory infections. One should take steps to minimize exposure to these.
“For people with allergic asthma, we recommend trying to stay indoors during the allergy seasons when they have their most symptoms. Avoidance of allergens is the first step and highly recommended, such as staying away from pets to which they may be allergic,” said Schwartz.
5. Avoid smoking and unprescribed medication
Smoking is one of the worst habits for asthma and this includes active smoking as well as exposure to secondhand smoke. These can trigger asthma symptoms and make them more severe. Cigarette smoking is the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S. Cigarette smoke irritates the lungs, causing redness, swelling and more mucus. Your lungs have a natural defense to keep dirt and germs out.
“Do not smoke or vape,” said Schwartz. “These bad habits not only exacerbate asthma but can cause irreversible lung damage leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] which when superimposed on asthma can be very difficult to treat and could lead to premature death.
He also warns against using unprescribed treatment methods. If experiencing asthmatic symptoms, it is imperative to consult a healthcare provider, he said. In addition to medications, doctors work closely with their patients to identify and reduce interactions with triggers. In some cases, doctors may order a spirometry test to measure airflow through lungs, chest X-rays, blood tests or skin tests.
“Another issue is prolonged failure to seek medical treatment for asthma, including prolonged use of unprescribed over-the-counter drugs, which can result in irreversible damage to the lungs,” he added. “It is essential to recognize that there is no current cure for asthma, but modern therapies are highly effective and can lead to a high quality of life.”