A person with asthma has inflamed, constricted, and swollen airways that make breathing difficult. It is a highly widespread illness that can afflict anyone at any age. Allergies can occasionally trigger asthma. Even while adult-onset asthma is prevalent, it can also begin in childhood. Asthma patients who are female face unique difficulties in managing their condition.
Types of Asthma
Based on the underlying reason and the severity of the symptoms, there are many forms of asthma. Asthma is defined by medical professionals as:
- Asthma that is intermittent allows you to feel normal in between asthma attacks.
- When you have persistent asthma, you have symptoms frequently.
- Mild, moderate, or severe symptoms are possible. On the frequency of your symptoms, medical professionals determine how severe your asthma is. Additionally, they take into account your combat prowess.
Multiple factors can trigger asthma:
Allergy: In certain cases, asthma attacks are brought on by allergens. Molds, pollens, and pet dander are examples of allergens.
Non-allergic: External influences may cause an asthma attack. Exercise, stress, illness, and the environment can all trigger flares.
Asthma can also be:
Adult-onset: After the age of 18, this form of asthma develops.
Pediatric: Also known as pediatric asthma, this form of the disease can affect newborns and toddlers and frequently develops before the age of 5. Asthma may be outgrown in kids. Before deciding if your child needs to keep an inhaler on hand in case they experience an asthma attack, make sure you talk it over with your doctor. The medical professional who treats your kid can explain the hazards to you.
Asthma also comes in the following forms:
Exercise-induced asthma: A form of asthma that is brought on by physical activity.
Occupational asthma: People who spend a lot of time around irritants at work are more likely to develop this type of asthma.
When someone has both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, they are said to have Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS) (COPD). Breathing becomes challenging in both conditions.
Causes for Asthma
Why some people have asthma while others do not is a mystery to researchers. However, some elements increase the risk:
Allergies: Asthma development is more likely in people who have allergies.
Environmental factors: People who are exposed to things that irritate their airways may develop asthma. Allergens, poisons, gases, and second- or third-hand smoke are some of these things. These can be particularly dangerous for babies and young children whose immune systems are still maturing.
Genetics: Your risk of acquiring asthma or an allergy disease is higher if your family has a history of the conditions.
Diseases of the respiratory tract: The developing lungs of young children can be harmed by some respiratory infections, including the respiratory syntactical virus (RSV).
What should females understand about asthma?
Adults with asthma often experience persistent asthma symptoms that necessitate regular attention, unlike children with asthma who frequently experience their symptoms in reaction to an allergen or irritant. Consult your doctor about asthma if you frequently have any of the following symptoms:
- Especially at night or in response to certain “triggers,” dry cough
- chest constriction or pressure
- breathing challenges
- Wheezing or a whistling sound when exhaling
Specific issues faced by asthmatic women
Asthma presents unique difficulties for women compared to men. Menstrual cycles, menopause, and pregnancy all alter how asthma can impact a woman. Particularly hormones have a significant impact on how a recognized trigger affects a woman’s capacity to breathe.
Although hormones by themselves do not cause asthma, they can alter how the body reacts to inflammation, which in turn can make asthma symptoms worse. Women with asthma should keep track of their menstrual cycle to learn when their triggers may be more severe. Women going through menopause should also discuss the possibility of their asthma being affected by their shifting hormone levels with their doctor. Even if they have never had asthma before, women going through menopause frequently get adult-onset asthma.
Asthma and pregnancy
Pregnancy undoubtedly alters a woman’s hormone levels, which can impact how her asthma reacts, similar to the hormone-changing cycles mentioned above. Talk to your OB/GYN about your asthma if you have it; although not all women experience worse asthma during pregnancy. Even if you don’t typically take asthma drugs, taking them during pregnancy may increase the likelihood that you won’t experience an asthma attack.
Asthma in young women
After the age of 15, girls and women are more likely than boys and men to suffer from asthma. During specific phases of the menstrual cycle, women with asthma may experience an increase in symptoms. Having asthma during pregnancy might be problematic.
A higher odds ratio of wheeze persistence in females is associated with the passage from childhood to adulthood. A immune cell associated with asthma symptoms, such as lung inflammation and mucus production, was shown to be blocked by testosterone, according to researchers.
Body weight versus Asthma
Asthma is substantially more common in people with a BMI of 30 or above than in people with a lower BMI. Individuals with a BMI in the normal range have an asthma rate of 7%, but adults with an obese BMI have an asthma rate of 11%. Additionally, this seems to be an issue mostly for women for unknown reasons given that nearly 15% of obese females also have asthma.
It’s unclear why having greater weight might result in asthma. Undoubtedly, carrying additional weight around the chest and abdomen could restrict the lungs and make breathing more challenging. But I think it’s a lot more difficult than that. Studies have suggested that the inflammatory chemicals produced by fat tissue may have an impact on asthma and the lungs.
Manage your asthma
Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be controlled. As children age, they may outgrow their asthma.
Most people can easily control their asthma. Once your doctor has diagnosed you with asthma, you can talk about a treatment plan to minimize your symptoms. Your doctor can teach you how to identify triggers, recognize the signs of an asthma attack, and take steps to lessen the severity of the attack.
If your doctor diagnoses you with asthma, you must identify the causes of attacks. You can prevent an assault by avoiding the triggers. However, you cannot stop yourself from developing asthma. Even with asthma, it’s still possible to have a highly successful life and take part in sports and other activities. Your doctor can assist you in controlling symptoms, identifying your triggers, and preventing or controlling attacks.
Together with you, your healthcare professional will create an action plan for your asthma. How and when to take your medications are specified in this plan. Additionally, it advises you when to seek emergency medical attention based on your asthma symptoms. If there is anything you don’t understand, ask your healthcare physician.
You need to get emergency medical attention if you are having a serious asthma attack.
Utilize your rescue inhaler as soon as possible. To clear your airways, a rescue inhaler employs medications with rapid action. It’s distinct from the daily maintenance inhaler you use. When symptoms disturb you, use the rescue inhaler. If your flare is severe, you may need to use it more frequently.
Go to the emergency room if you experience any of the following if your rescue inhaler is ineffective or you don’t have it with you:
- Panic or anxiety.
- Bluish fingernails, grey or pale gums, or lips that are blue (in those with light skin) (in dark-skinned people).
- chest pressure or discomfort
- persistent coughing or severe wheeze during breathing
- Talking is difficult.
- sweaty and pale face.
- breathing that is quite fast.
Asthma is typically treated with medicine and preventative strategies including avoiding triggers. Some claim that yoga can also aid in reducing asthma symptoms. As of now, traditional asthma treatment does not include yoga. However, it’s conceivable that a consistent, mild practice could offer relief. Additionally, there’s usually no downside to doing yoga if it helps with your problems.
Final words
Asthma is a more serious problem for women than it is for males due to the added risk factors mentioned above. Consult your doctor about the best ways to preserve your health if you have asthma and are a girl. When properly managed, asthma is a highly controllable condition.