Severe Asthma: Causes, Types, Symptoms, and Health Risks for Patients in Greater Noida

Bronchial Asthma or Asthma is an inflammatory disease that affects your lungs. Asthma is a chronic condition and can be treated with appropriate medical management. 

Majority of people with asthma can manage their symptoms with medication and avoiding environmental stimuli; however, some have more severe forms that are much harder to manage. 

If you have severe or recurrent asthma symptoms and want accurate diagnosis and treatment, consult the best doctor in Greater Noida today.

For personalized asthma treatment from experienced experts in Greater Noida—schedule an appointment today by calling +91 9667064100.

What is Severe Asthma?

Severe asthma is a type that can't be managed even with intensive therapy. In this type of asthma, symptoms won't improve even on using high doses of inhaled corticosteroids, long-term use of oral steroids, or multiple medications for asthma.

Causes of Severe Asthma

Some people have asthma while others do not. There are certain factors that are responsible for higher risk of asthma.

• Certain allergies raise risk of asthma
• Environmental factors such as allergens, fumes, toxins, second-hand smoke irritate the airways 
• People having family history of asthma or allergic diseases
• Certain respiratory infections increase the risk especially in the developing lungs of young children

Common Triggers of Asthma Attack

Triggers are the substances that causes asthma attack if you come in contact with them. Triggers are different for different people but common triggers include:

• Air pollution including factory emissions, wildfire smoke and more
• Dust mites, though they are not visible but can cause asthma attack
• For some people, exercise can cause an attack
• Cockroaches, mice and other household pesticides can cause severe asthma
• Strong chemicals and smells can trigger asthma attack
• Tobacco or cigarette smoke inhalation leads to higher risk of developing asthma

Symptoms of Severe Asthma

Symptoms of severe asthma are like those of mild or moderate asthma but much worse and more prolonged. You might feel:

• Persistent shortness of breath, even during regular activities
• Chest discomfort or tightness
• Persistent coughing, either dry or productive
• Wheezing that persists even after treatment
• Difficulty in speaking or breathing
• Blue lips, fingers, or face
• Flaring nostrils when exhaling
• Not responding to rescue inhalers
• Weakness or confusion
• In children, abrupt loss of response or identification of parents

If facing any of these symptoms, call emergency services or visit the best hospital in Greater Noida immediately.

Diagnosis of Severe Asthma

Your healthcare provider will assess your medical history, and will analyse your symptoms. They will need to know about any history of allergies, eczema- a bumpy rash development caused by allergy or any other lung diseases.
Spirometry is a test to measure airflow through your lungs and helps to understand the progress of treatment.
A chest X-ray, blood test, skin test may also be done.

Why is Your Asthma Not Improving?

If your asthma does not respond to treatment, it can be termed as treatment-resistant asthma. It may be due to:

• Resistance to corticosteroids
• Untreated conditions such as heart failure or chronic infections
• Complications such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

The best pulmonologist in Greater Noida will carry out thorough examinations to eliminate these chances before they diagnose a severe case of asthma.

Treatment Options for Severe Asthma in Greater Noida

Your treatment will be tailored to the severity and triggers of your condition. Your pulmonologist may prescribe a combination of the medicines including bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory medicines, and biological therapies. 
These medications may be adjusted over time, based on how your body responds to treatment.

Tips to Prevent Severe Asthma Attacks

Preventing severe asthma involves following measures:

• Follow your treatment plan every day.
• Follow the directions on your daily controller medications.
• Track changes by keeping a symptom journal.
• Vaccinate yourself against whooping cough, pneumonia, and flu.
• Avoid exposure to allergens, smoke, and pollution.
• When working out in cold weather, wear a mask.
• Keep a healthy weight
• Let your support system know about your asthma action plan.

Always visit a doctor at best hospital in Greater Noida before using natural remedies, as some will be contrary to prescribed medications.

Can Lifestyle Changes Help?

Yes, some lifestyle changes can really make a difference in controlling asthma. These include:

• Identifying and avoiding allergens and irritants
• Staying physically active (under medical care)
• Quitting smoking and staying away from secondhand smoke
• Weight management with the help of experts
• Relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga
• Breathing exercises to increase lung capacity

Although medication is inevitable, some individuals prefer experimenting with natural therapies in combination with the standard treatments.

At the best hospital in Greater Noida, your doctor can create a customized asthma action plan. Share the plan with your family members and caregivers so they know how to assist you in an emergency.

Conclusion

Severe asthma is a tough condition, but it can be well-controlled if you have the correct mixture of medication, lifestyle modification, and emergency readiness. If you or someone close to you in Greater Noida is suffering from asthma symptoms that do not improve with treatment, don't wait. Book an appointment with the best hospital for Asthma treatment in Greater Noida to undergo a complete assessment and initiate a customized treatment program that can have you breathe easy and lead a healthier life.

FAQs for Severe Asthma

Q: Which tests can diagnose severe asthma if treatment fails?

Pulmonologists will perform lung function tests like spirometry, FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide), or a methacholine test. They also perform allergy tests, chest X-rays, and blood tests to eliminate other causes.

Q: Do I have severe asthma even if I don't wheeze?

It is not true that only wheezing people have asthma. Chronic cough, breathlessness, or chest tightness can still be features of severe asthma, particularly if they occur despite the use of prescribed inhalers.

Q: How do biologics treat severe asthma?

Biologic drugs act on specific molecules of the process of inflammation. They are typically administered intramuscularly and have the ability to suppress the frequency of asthma attacks, particularly in individuals with allergic or eosinophilic asthma.

Q: Is asthma in Greater Noida exacerbated by pollution or season change?

Yes. Levels of air pollution and sudden fluctuations in the weather in Greater Noida can trigger asthma symptoms. Cold air, dust, pollen, and smog can make your airways more inflamed.

Q: Can stress or emotional distress trigger violent asthma attacks?

Yes. Stress and intense emotions can cause shallow breathing and airway obstruction. Emotional triggers are a key element of a comprehensive asthma care plan.

Q: Are kids with severe asthma treated differently from adults in Greater Noida?

Yes. Pediatric asthma management includes developmentally appropriate inhaler skills, careful monitoring of growth and development, and caregiver education. Treatment is individualized by pediatric pulmonologists according to the child's requirements and includes consideration of school-based asthma action plans.