Can you suddenly become asthmatic?
Written in association with:In one of our latest medical articles below, distinguished respiratory medicine and critical care specialist, Dr Sundeep Kaul, offers his expert insights on all things asthma.
What are the signs of asthma?
The symptoms that people often present with include:
What causes asthma?
In some people, there is a genetic disposition. People have different kinds of asthma. There are many different triggers for asthma, including nuts, washing up liquid, animals, pollen, and perfume scent.
Patients who are prone to allergic asthma are those who already suffer from hay fever and who have a family history of asthma. Other types of asthma include summer asthma, winter asthma, occupational asthma, and adult-onset asthma.
What is the best treatment for asthma?
Like any chronic condition, a diagnosis and assessment of the severity is highly important. Generally speaking, the mainstay of treatment is a combination of steroids and H2 blockers that provide symptomatic relief to the majority of patients.
There are a group of patients, who, despite being provided with this treatment, still suffer from uncontrollable asthma. In these cases, a specialist will need to be seen. Inhalers will then be given to patients. Injections, tablets, or sometimes a combination of the two are required.
What should I avoid if I have asthma?
Smoking should be avoided at all costs. Being aware of your asthma triggers is also very important. Trigger avoidance, if you like, is crucial. Patients should take their medication regularly even if they feel well.
Does asthma get worse with age?
Lung function reduces with age, but asthma does not worsen. Appropriate treatment will help control asthma and preserve good lung function.
Can you suddenly become asthmatic?
Yes, you can. Often, in many asthma cases, they were symptomatic but unknowingly. Some patients will claim they were alright but then they experienced a sudden onset of asthma. There are some clues in patients’ medical background that will suggest that they were already predisposed to asthma or that they were already experiencing some associated symptoms.
If you are worried that you might have asthma and would like to get checked out, book a consultation today with Dr Sundeep Kaul by visiting his Top Doctors profile.
