Adult Asthma Symptoms and Treatment

Asthma symptoms can vary greatly in severity from an occasional mild episode of shortness of breath to wheezing that persists despite the use of prescribed medications. The classic symptoms of an asthma attack include rapid breathing, wheezing on exhalation, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness or pain. It can be very scary for the person having the attack, because to them it feels like they're drowning, unable to catch a deep breath because it won't go in.

Adult asthma symptoms usually progress over a period of hours or days, and occasionally the airways become more seriously inflamed or obstructed. At this point, it's wise to schedule a visit to the asthma specialist for lung function tests and prescribed antibiotics and corticosteroids to get the excessive mucous and inflammation under control.

A common cold can become a full blown respiratory infection in an asthmatic, which is why it's important to recognize symptoms early and get treatment started right away. Understanding the underlying causes of allergies and allergy-related asthma is another important intervention that has been proven to reduce the number and severity of asthma attacks in a significant number of patients. Allergies are a common underlying factor, and once the allergies are addressed, the frequency of asthma attacks decreases as well.

Anxiety is another thing that can make symptons worse. Worrying about the wheezing, even if it's mild, can make the problem that much worse due to the low level of panic that worrying can create. Leaning to deal with that anxiety and panic can help with the Asthma problems in some people.

This page is not a guide to medical treatment and should not be used as such. If you have, or think you may have, Asthma or any related breathing/respiratory problem then please consult a qualified physician.

Long-term relief medications for adult asthma sufferers are widely available, and usually consist of an inhaled corticosteroid taken twice daily and a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. Lots of information for treatment of adult asthma symptoms is available from local medical professionals including asthma and immunology specialists, so don't hesitate to seek a professional evaluation and consultation.

Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for the long term treatment of chronic asthma, and can have dangerous consequences for someone in a life threatening situation. With proper treatment, asthmatics take brisk walks, and take up running and other vigorous aerobic activity without asthma symptoms.

While exercise can bring on an asthma attack, it is also a recognized part of any asthma treatment plan. Asthma and exercise have a unique relationship and an important aspect of understanding how they relate is to be aware of why physical activity can bring on an attack.

Basically, physical exertion increases your body's need for oxygen, which makes your breathing faster and harder. This can bring on the feelings of breathlessness, tightness in the chest, and wheezing that are associated with asthma attacks.

In spite of this, asthma and exercise do not have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, in many cases they shouldn't be, since many asthma sufferers who exercise regularly report having fewer attacks than when they did not exercise. Exercise improves your overall physical health.

They can exist side by side with proper care and planning. Asthma sufferers should consult with their doctor about different types of exercise, and prior to starting an exercise regimen should be sure that they are already managing their asthma on a daily basis.

Regardless of general health or fitness level, everyone is encouraged to warm up and cool down prior to exercising, whether through playing a sport or participating in a solitary activity such as walking or cycling. In spite of this sound advice, many of us skip warm ups and cool downs to cut down the time we spend on our workout routines.

It is particularly critical for those with asthma not to do this, as warming up and cooling down make changes in your breathing pattern more gradual. Stretching and walking before and after your more intense workout can help manage asthma and exercise.

Having the appropriate medical equipment including inhalers easily accessible is important when you are dealing with asthma and exercise. Be certain to pack what you need with you before you start your work-out.

A regular workout routine can actually help manage your medical condition, but asthma and exercise don't always mix. You should not start, continue, change or increase a workout routine if your asthma is not currently under control.

In addition, you should not exercise if you are suffering from a cold, the flu or allergies that are already exacerbating breathing difficulties. In any of these cases asthma and exercise aren't the best combination.

Always be aware of how you are feeling while working out and stop if you feel symptoms coming on. Always wait several minutes after symptoms return to normal before you begin exercising again. With awareness and ongoing day-to-day treatment and control of your asthma, exercise can be not only a part of your life and a contributor to your overall well-being, but something that helps you to manage your medical condition.

Taking care of yourself when you have asthma is particularly important. You need to understand exactly how your asthma and exercise work together.

Do your homework and learn more about asthma symptoms, and the treatment and underlying causes, online at a number of sites dedicated to keeping your asthma under control and to living a healthy symptom-free life.