{"id":14328,"date":"2020-03-13T10:17:34","date_gmt":"2020-03-13T10:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=14328"},"modified":"2021-05-06T14:26:34","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T14:26:34","slug":"14-frequent-symptoms-of-reactive-airways-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-frequent-symptoms-of-reactive-airways-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Frequent Symptoms of Reactive Airways Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Reactive airway disease (RAD) is the general term used to diagnose patients that exhibit symptoms similar to that of asthma. The two are often used interchangeably, however, RAD is more often used as a diagnosis or indicator of other respiratory diseases. A person with RAD will exhibit symptoms that indicate the presence of irritation in the airways. It normally develops after the person is exposed to an infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This causes the airways to become more sensitive and vulnerable to irritants, which results in swelling and inflammation. Some possible irritants include smoke, dust, pet hair, and molds. A person is at a greater risk of developing reactive airway disease if they smoke cigarettes. This causes regular irritation and damage to the airways as well as the lungs. This also poses a greater risk of developing more serious illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or reactive airways dysfunction syndrome. Being aware of the signs and symptoms can help to address this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Bronchial spasm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bronchial spasms or bronchospasms <\/a>result from the amplified vulnerability of the airways to external triggers. Triggers, such as allergens or chemicals, can cause the muscles near the airways to become pinched and constricted. This causes the airway to become more narrow and results in breathing difficulties and wheezing. Moreover, it also limits the amount of oxygen that enters the blood and the amount of carbon dioxide released from it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This creates a greater risk to develop hypoxia wherein certain parts of the body lack an adequate supply of oxygen. Other risk factors that contribute to this condition are medical history, smoking, exposure to certain substances, infection in the lungs, and lung diseases. It could also be a side effect of exposure to certain drugs like beta-blockers and pilocarpine. However, this condition is reversible with proper treatment. It is more frequently an indicator of other respiratory diseases and is not a diagnosis in itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Watery eyes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Numerous conditions and illnesses can cause the eyes to water. Tears not only maintain hydration <\/a>within the eyes but also function as a line of defense against infections. Watery eyes can be triggered by allergic reactions and sinus problems. It might also be caused by the lack of lubrication in the eyes or, in other words, dry eyes. It is important to note, however, that watery eyes can be triggered by a number of other conditions such as eye strain, eyelid inflammation, conjunctivitis, and trichiasis as well as environmental factors like weather conditions, bright light, and smog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the same nerve fibers (axons) that are responsible for the coughing reflex are also used when a person cries or laughs. This explains why coughing fits can cause the eyes to water. This symptom is seldom serious and normally present along with other symptoms. It can easily be treated even without medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Sore throat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A sore throat<\/a> is often caused by viruses. It can be described as a feeling of pain, itchiness, and mild discomfort in a person\u2019s throat. It may be classified into different types based on the part of the throat that it affects. The types include pharyngitis (behind the mouth), tonsillitis (tonsils or the back of the mouth), and laryngitis (voice box). Pain might also be felt like the person talks or swallows. The soreness can be a result of smoking, exposure to air pollutants, colds, influenza, and allergies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergens trigger the immune system to release chemicals that normally cause congestion in the nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and throat irritation. Mucus in the nose that drips down to the back of the throat is called postnasal drip and can inflame or irritate the throat. More serious complications that can arise from this include ear and sinus infections. However, this symptom may or may not develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Bronchitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bronchioles are small tubes made of smooth muscle that diverge from the larger bronchi into each lung. Bronchitis <\/a>is the inflammation of the bronchioles that normally occurs when a cold or respiratory infection afflicts the body. People with bronchitis normally experience coughing fits, chest discomfort, breathing difficulties, and production of phlegm along with mucus discoloration. Acute bronchitis is a common condition that normally lasts from seven to ten days. It is normally caused by viral infections, similar to those that cause influenza and colds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bronchitis is classified as chronic if coughing is observed for at least three weeks, along with recurring fits within the span of two years. It is highly probable for the symptoms to worsen if left untreated. Bronchitis is likely to develop in smokers because of their frequent exposure to chemicals and irritants. It can also develop as a result of other acute illnesses, such as influenza, or chronic conditions that weaken the immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fever <\/a>could progress once other symptoms are present. Developing a fever is how the immune system usually responds to the presence of a virus or infection within the body. It occurs when the temperature of the body rises above 37\u2103 and can be an indicator or symptom of other illnesses. A number of complications might arise should the temperature of the body become too high such as hyperpyrexia. Some observable symptoms that verify the presence of a fever include loss of appetite, feeling cold, sluggishness, sweating, and dehydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it is determined that the fever is caused by a viral infection, it can be treated with proper medication and regular fluid intake. However, bringing the fever down might not always be necessary since it is beneficial in combating the infection. A person diagnosed with a fever should have very little contact with other people as well as observe proper hygiene to avoid the spreading of the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.Wheezing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation and narrowing of the airways in any location, from your throat up to the lungs can result in wheezing. Wheezing is a typical symptom associated with different respiratory disorders that causes the throat to tighten. This occurs when there is a tightening, blocking, or inflammation in the airways, causing a person\u2019s breathing to seem to be whistling or squeaking especially when exhaling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of its common causes include cold, asthma, allergies<\/a>, reactive airway disease, or severe conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which triggers narrowing, hypersensitivity (reactivity to triggers such as allergens, irritants, or infections) and spasms, particularly bronchospasms (tightening of the muscles around the bronchial tubes), in the small and even in larger airways of your lungs. It is advised that if the wheezing gets worse to a point that an individual experiences struggles with their breathing and chest pains, they should see a doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Coughing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coughing <\/a>is defined as the voluntary or involuntary act of clearing the throat and breathing passage of foreign particles, microbes, irritants, fluids, and mucus. For reactive airway disease, it is a dry, nonproductive cough that does not expel mucus out of the respiratory tract and it may occur during the morning or even at night causing sleep interruptions. This cough, also called chronic cough, is a response to an irritant that forces the bronchial tubes to constrict and swell that prompts the nonproductive persistent cough and this lasts longer than six to eight weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, having chronic cough with asthma had worse respiratory symptoms, more health care use, lower lung function, and higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Furthermore, this is also associated with wheezing or the high-pitched whistling caused by the narrowed airways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Retractions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Retraction is a term used by medical professionals when they are referring to a physical symptom that a person experiences when there is difficulty in breathing and it is described as to the tightening sensation in between the ribs and in the neck of a person who attempts to breathe due to blocked windpipes and the reduced air pressure inside your chest. This occurs if the upper airway (trachea) or the small airways of the lungs <\/a>(bronchioles) become partially blocked and as a result, muscles are sucked inward when breathing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It indicates that an individual is struggling hard to inhale. Usually, when taking a breath, the diaphragm and the muscles surrounding your ribs creates a vacuum that pulls air towards your lungs. But if a person is having difficulties in breathing, extra muscles are also put into pressure and these muscles cause retractions that manifest from a person trying to inhale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Sleeping Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Good sleep or having enough hours of sleep is essential to achieve optimal health and it can affect hormonal levels, mood, and weight. Sleep problems, including snoring, sleep apnea<\/a>, insomnia, sleep deprivation, and restless legs syndrome are common. Since reactive airway disease narrows the airways, individuals suffering from this disease will have a sleeping problem sensation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can lead to nighttime coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness which all of it causes difficulty in falling asleep or causes you to be awake in the middle of the night. According to some researchers, a combination of reactive airway disease and insomnia is also related to poorer asthma control, depression, anxiety, and other issues that will greatly impact health and quality of life. It is also stated that insomnia is highly prevalent in those with reactive airway disease and is known to have adverse outcomes that can be a burden to one\u2019s well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10.Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue <\/a>is a typical problem involving the state of being extremely tired physically and mentally. Disturbances in sleep and lack of stimulation due to cough caused by Reactive Airways Disease can lead to unusual fatigue if it continues due to the negligence of an individual. This can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions and health problems associated with it and can even lead to severe conditions such as anemia, thyroid conditions, diabetes, and lung and heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue can be categorized into physical and mental fatigue. Physical fatigue pertains to the incapability of a person to execute things that are normally done in a day while mental fatigue refers to the loss of concentration on things and staying on doing the tasks. People experiencing this type of fatigue may sense having a hard time staying awake while working. Healthy food intake and regular exercise can help lessen fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Breathing Difficulties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most medical experts use the term reactive airway disease the same with asthma and most of the symptoms of reactive airways disease is also the same with asthma which means that one of the most frequent symptoms is shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. Shortness of breath is defined as the feeling that you cannot get enough air into your lungs. If a person\u2019s brain, muscles, and other body organs did not get enough amount of oxygen, a sense of breathlessness or shortness of breath can occur. Sometimes, it gets worse when a person is physically active or when he or she lies down flat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breathing difficulties can have many causes. Some of these causes may include asthma<\/a>, pneumonia, cold or chest infection, being overweight and smoking but in the reactive airways disease, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing may indicate that the airways have been irritated.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Mucus in the Airways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mucus <\/a>is a jelly-like fluid found in the lungs, airways, digestive systems and other parts of the body. Environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke and pollutants cause the goblet cells to produce and secrete mucus while damaging the cilia and structures of the airways. Anything that irritates the mucus membranes can cause the production of excessive mucus and it includes some health conditions like bacterial infection, viral infection, allergies (including hay fever or sensitivity to dust mites). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to these irritants, especially if a person already has a lung disease such as reactive airways disease can substantially increase the risk of excess mucus in the lungs. The most common symptom of this is a persistent cough that usually brings up phlegm (mucus located in the lung; otherwise called sputum) breathlessness. Respiratory infections like colds and flu and reactive airways disease are common causes of increased mucus production and coughing up mucus. Another common cause is the consumption of spicy food and allergic reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Swelling of the Airway Lining<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In asthma and reactive airway disease, the lining of the airways is swollen or inflamed. The inflammation makes the air passages particularly sensitive to irritants and asthma triggers. Inflammation <\/a>can also cause the air passages to narrow and make it difficult for air to pass through the airways. As a result, a person experiencing this will find it hard to breathe in and out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors can tell that the airways are inflamed when there is an alteration in the normal breathing pattern, whether rapid or shallow breathing; when there is a decreased breath sound in the lungs; when there is a high-pitched breath sounds in the upper way or mouth. In the worst cases, there is swelling in the airway lining when a person does not breathe, has bluish skin color and loses his consciousness. Most of the symptoms of inflammation of the airway lining depend on the cause and the location of obstructions. These symptoms may include agitation, confusion, panic and difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Hypersensitive Airways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Airway hypersensitivity is characterized by enhanced excitability of airway sensory nerves and is a prominent pathophysiological feature in patients (persons) with airway inflammatory diseases such as reactive airway disease as stated by Lee, et.al (2012). Chronic airway inflammation as stated in their research is believed to be primarily responsible though the underlying pathogenic mechanism is not fully understood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also stated that cigarette <\/a>smoking is known to cause chronic airway inflammation, accompanied by airway hyperresponsiveness. \u00a0Furthermore, recent studies have reported potent sensitizing and stimulatory effects of these inflammatory mediators such as prostanoids and reactive oxygen species on these sensory nerves. In addition, since there is inflammation or swelling in the airways, it causes the airways to be hypersensitive to irritants. The most common triggers or irritants as stated in the research is the exposure to tobacco smoke or cigarette smoking and infections from cold and flu viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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