World Asthma Day: Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Asthma Across All Ages

Did you know that World Asthma Day is May 2nd? This year’s theme is “Asthma Care for All,” presenting the perfect opportunity for those in the United States and beyond to learn how this common medical condition affects different groups of people. 

Understanding the signs and symptoms of asthma will ensure you know when to contact an urgent care facility, family doctor, or pediatrician if the need arises. While there is no cure for asthma, family medicine providers such as the Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic (IM&PC) are here to help you keep the condition under control. 

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes lung inflammation and can lead to a range of symptoms, including breathlessness and wheezing. Some people with asthma experience asthma attacks – a sudden worsening of symptoms caused by tightening of the muscles surrounding the airway. Severe asthma attacks are very dangerous and may be life-threatening if left untreated. 

What does asthma look like in adults?

Many people consider asthma a childhood condition. However, people can develop asthma at any age, affecting around 21 million adults in the US. People who develop the condition aged 20 or over are diagnosed as having adult-onset asthma, with symptoms including:

• A persistent cough, particularly at night
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Frequently feeling short of breath

What does asthma look like in children?

Asthma is a relatively common childhood condition, affecting around six million children in the US alone. Keeping asthma under control reduces the risk of your child needing to visit the emergency department for an asthma attack. Common asthma symptoms in children include:

• Wheezing
• Difficult breathing 
• Chest tightness
• Frequent colds
• Coughing at night
• Panic due to breathing issues

What causes asthma?

The precise cause of asthma is unknown. However, having a parent with asthma can increase a child’s risk of developing the condition by three to six times. Climate change and air pollution are also thought to play a significant role in the increasing prevalence of asthma. 

Some people have a higher risk of developing adult-onset asthma, including:

• People with allergies 
• People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Pregnant women
• Women going through the menopause
• People recovering from respiratory illnesses such as influenza
• People who smoke or frequently come into contact with irritants such as perfume or dust

What does asthma feel like, and how does it affect people’s lives?

Asthma attacks can be very scary and may cause stress and fear among sufferers, particularly children. People without adequate treatment may also experience additional symptoms such as poor concentration, daytime fatigue, sleep disturbances, and more. In severe cases, people may start missing school, work, or social activities as a result of their condition.

How is asthma diagnosed and treated?

People with asthma must seek care services that help them gain control of their condition. Asthma is typically diagnosed by assessing the patient’s symptoms and medical history and conducting lung function tests using a device called a spirometer. If asthma is detected, the physician or pediatrician will also diagnose its severity using one of four categories: mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent.

Then, an internal medicine professional will prescribe treatments to suit the patient’s diagnosis. Common asthma treatments include:

• Lifestyle advice such as regular exercise and avoiding triggers like dust and smoke
• Anti-inflammatory medications such as inhaled or oral steroids (often referred to as inhalers)
• Inhalable medications called bronchodilators (also referred to as inhalers)

How Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic in New Albany, MS can help

IM&PC is here to help diagnose and treat asthma in patients of all ages. Visit our health center for diagnostic tests or to treat an existing diagnosis. For more information and to book an appointment, please contact our clinic in New Albany, MS, at (662) 430-3375 or visit our website to schedule your appointment.