Asthma

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace consultation with a healthcare professional. If you experience severe difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.

Does Rilassáre's complementary medicine replace traditional medicine?

No. Our complementary medicine protocols (nutrition, psychological support, and general medicine) are designed as an adjunct to the treatment a patient may already be receiving, never as a substitute. Every case is individually assessed by our medical team, since no intervention is free of risk and its suitability depends on each person's clinical history.

What is asthma?

It is a chronic disease that causes the airways in the lungs to swell and narrow. This leads to difficulty breathing, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Asthma symptoms may include:

• • Shortness of breath.
• • Chest pain or tightness.
• • Wheezing when exhaling, a common sign of asthma in children.
• • Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.
• • Coughing or wheezing worsened by respiratory viruses like a cold or flu.

Signs that asthma may be worsening include:

• • Increased difficulty breathing, measured with a device used to check lung function (peak flow meter).
• • More frequent use of a quick-relief inhaler.

For some people, asthma signs and symptoms worsen in certain situations:

• • Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry.
• • Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases, or dust.
• • Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by airborne substances like pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste, or pet dander.

Causes of asthma

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways. During an asthma attack, the airway lining becomes inflamed, and the muscles around them tighten, reducing the amount of air that can pass through.

Asthma can be triggered by inhaling allergens or other irritants, or by other causes:

• • Pets (dander or fur).
• • Dust mites.
• • Certain medications (such as aspirin).
• • Weather changes (especially cold weather).
• • Chemicals in the air or food.
• • Physical activity.
• • Mold.
• • Pollen.
• • Respiratory infections, like the common cold.
• • Strong emotions (stress).
• • Tobacco smoke.

Allergic asthma is caused by allergens, substances that cause an allergic reaction, such as dust mites, mold, pets, grass, tree, and weed pollen, or pest droppings such as cockroaches and mice.

Non-allergic asthma is caused by non-allergen triggers, such as breathing cold air, certain medications, household chemicals, respiratory infections, outdoor air pollution, and tobacco smoke.

Occupational asthma is caused by breathing industrial chemicals or dust at work, and exercise-induced asthma occurs during physical activity, especially in dry air.

Asthma triggers vary by person and may change over time.

Asthma diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves a medical history, a physical exam, and lung function tests, performed by a doctor. It is based on several factors, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, your symptoms, overall health, and test results.

Asthma treatments

Asthma treatment must be determined by a doctor and includes self-care and bronchodilator medications.

Asthma is usually treated with rescue inhalers for symptoms and control inhalers (steroids) to prevent symptoms. Severe cases may require long-acting inhalers to keep airways open, as well as oral steroids, always as directed by a doctor.

• • Medications (bronchodilator, steroid, anti-inflammatory).
• • Self-care.
• • Quitting smoking.
• • Supportive care.
• • Oxygen therapy, when directed by a doctor.

Asthma complications

Uncontrolled asthma can be associated with a decreased ability to exercise and take part in other activities, sleep disruption due to nighttime symptoms, permanent changes in lung function, and persistent coughing. Regular medical follow-up helps prevent these complications.

Asthma prevention

• • Use dust mite-proof mattresses or covers.
• • Keep the house dust-free, avoiding clutter, carpets, and rugs where dust collects.
• • Avoid damp environments where mold can grow.
• • Use allergen filters for air conditioning at home and in the car.
• • During pollen season, ventilate the house at times of lower pollen concentration and avoid parks and gardens.
• • Use cleaning products without floral perfumes or irritating ingredients.
• • Store food in sealed containers.
• • Avoid having pets at home if allergic to pet dander.
• • Avoid tobacco smoke and polluted environments.
• • Do not use medications that may trigger an asthma attack, such as aspirin, without consulting your doctor first.

When to see a doctor

• • If you think you have asthma. If you have frequent coughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days, see your doctor. Early treatment can prevent long-term lung damage.
• • For ongoing asthma management. Work with your doctor for good long-term control that helps prevent severe asthma attacks.
• • If symptoms worsen. Contact your doctor right away if medications don't relieve symptoms or if you need your rescue inhaler more often.
• • To review your treatment. Asthma can change over time; see your doctor regularly to adjust treatment as needed.

Do not take more medication than prescribed without consulting your doctor first. Improper use of asthma medications can cause side effects and worsen the condition.

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