The exclamation mark after the title was supposed to give it a 'dun dun dun' effect...

Now that I look at it, it must be a clown move for me to think that anyone else apart from me would get the reference or background story. But anyway, that 'dun dun dun; melancholy soundtrack expresses how I've felt about Asthma from when I first discovered it was a thing. Movies, News and all the other media depicted it as a medical condition that could kill.

And then, being somewhat claustrophobic myself, I could relate, a bit, to what the shortness of breath in asthma attacks felt like. I imagined it to be an even worse form of despair than the ones I got when stuck in one of the tunnels on playground slides.

But aside from my fears, what is asthma anyway?

ASTHMA

Asthma can be described as a medical condition characterized by the constriction and swelling of the body's airways, sometimes leading to the production of extra mucus. All of these factors combine to create difficulty in breathing, coughing - which is a reflex mechanism the body instigates to clear the airways, a wheezing while breathing, and then shortness of breath.

Asthma and its severity vary from patient to patient.

To some, it is mild and just a minor nuisance that is resolved after some time. To others, an asthma attack is as dreadful as the plague. and each bout is potentially life-threatening, thus preventing them from carrying out their daily activities effectively.

One of the things that heightened my fear of Asthma was the fact that it has no cure. It can only be treated based on its symptoms, meaning that by controlling the symptoms, you can at least stay safe. It is also a chameleon of sorts, meaning that its symptoms change from time to time, so a patient needs to be conscious about their health, and routine checkups are advisable.

SYMPTOMS

As mentioned earlier, Asthma symptoms vary from patient to person. For some, it comes once in a while, strikes - mildly or violently -and dissipates. In some cases, it happens during certain activities, such as exercise, where the oxygen supply is depleted and aerobic respiration is at its low, For others, the symptoms are with them all the time - the normal they've always known, sadly.

1. Shortness of Breath

2. Wheezing during exhalation, wh9ch is common among children.

3. Induced insomnia due to trouble with breathing, coughing, or shortness of breath

4. Chest pain and tightness

5. Attacks and bouts of coughing are aggravated by colds, cases of flu, and other respiratory viruses.

When these symptoms become more frequent, or there Is increased difficulty breathing as measured by the peak flow meter - used to check how well the lungs are performing, or there is an increased need to use the quick-relief inhalers, then that is a telltale sign that the asthma is worsening.

TRIGGERS

Conditions and situations that trigger asthmatic symptoms include, but are not limited to:

1. Airborne allergens such as dist mites, pollen grains, hay, particles of waste products from insects, mold spores, and so on.

2. Physical activity, especially where the air is cold and dry.

3. Certain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.

4. Stress and increased emotional strain.

5. Acid Reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

6. Respiratory infections.

RISK FACTORS

A lot of factors are thought to increase one's chances of developing asthma.

For one, there are chances of genetics being at work. having a blood relative with asthma can increase one's chances.

Having another allergic condition that presents similar symptoms might snowball into full-blown asthma.

Being overweight increases one's chances of being asthmatic.

Smoking and secondhand smoking. Secondhand smoking is inhaling the smoke exhaled or emitted from a smoker and his 'stick'.

Exposure to exhaust fumes and other air pollutants, or to chemicals used in farming and so on.

COMPLICATIONS

As stated, asthma in its most severe presentation could become a nuisance that interferes with one's daily activities. These include:

• Insomnia is due to breathing problems that prevent one from being able to sleep.

• Absence from school and work during sudden asthma attacks.

• Expenses made in treating the symptoms.

• Side effects of long-term use of drugs required to stabilize oneself during severe asthma attacks

• A permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which can affect breathing, may in some cases trigger a vicious cycle of asthmatic attacks due to shortness of breath, more narrowing of the tubes, and then consequent asthmatic attacks; If left unattended, death could ensure due to hypoxia.

If asthma is treated promptly and effectively, it would go a long way in preventing both the short and long-term complications that result from having asthma.

PREVENTION

Having come to the end of this article, it would be necessary to discuss how to best handle asthma. One thing to know is that there is no way to prevent asthma, but the condition can be managed by doing a set of things that can prolong one's life and leave no room for conditions that might trigger an asthma attack.

Some of these measures are:

Routine checkups, and the development of a plan to go through in the event of an asthma attack. With you and your doctor creating this plan, adhering to it will go a long way in assuring your safety.

Receiving vaccinations for pneumonia, influenza, and others is very important as these are known to trigger asthma attacks.

Self-awareness is key. By monitoring yourself, you should notice a sudden onset of cough, wheezing while exhaling, and shortness of breath.

If you find yourself having to use your inhaler more often, that's a sign that your asthma is not under control. Seek medical attention!

Take your prescribed medication - no overdoses, certainly no underdosing (if that's a word). Before you change your meds, it's best to consult your doctor, even if things seem to be looking better,

Finally, it's just about being more self-aware, cautious, and attentive to your body changes.

Thanks for Reading!