{"id":2541,"date":"2018-10-01T08:46:39","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T08:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2541"},"modified":"2021-03-19T19:06:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T19:06:59","slug":"11-asthma-symptoms-that-come-and-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/11-asthma-symptoms-that-come-and-go\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Asthma Symptoms That Come and Go"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Asthma is a condition that causes difficulties with breathing. It tends to be a chronic condition that may affect a patient for their entire life, or which may last for years at a time. While the condition itself is chronic though, the symptoms will only present themselves during specific intervals.<\/p>\n

These are known as \u2018asthma attacks\u2019, which are essentially flare ups that cause the individual to struggle breathing. This can be frightening and painful, and especially if you aren\u2019t familiar with the experience. What many people don\u2019t realize, is that asthma can actually occur at any age \u2013 so it\u2019s very important to make sure that you are able to recognize it if you or someone else should experience it.<\/p>\n

Note as well that asthma is normally caused \u2018by\u2019 something. The irritants and scenarios that can cause asthma symptoms are known as \u2018triggers\u2019. These can include things like dander, pollen, mold, moisture in the air, or even stress.<\/p>\n

In this post, we\u2019ll break down 11 symptoms that \u2018come and go\u2019 as a result of triggers.<\/p>\n

1. Coughing<\/h3>\n

One of the most common symptoms of an asthma attack is coughing<\/a>. This happens because the individual is producing excess mucous in their airways, which in turn are the result of an allergic reaction. Essentially, the body is trying to drive toxins out and as a result, this leads to coughing and spluttering as the phlegm builds up around the throat.<\/p>\n

This cough might not seem severe at first, but may come out of nowhere and then seem to continue or to get worse.<\/p>\n

Of course there are many potential causes of coughing, which can make it somewhat hard to use this as a way to diagnose asthma. One way to know for sure then is to see if the coughing improves as soon as you use medication!\"\"<\/p>\n

2. Wheezing<\/h3>\n

Another common asthma<\/a> symptom is wheezing. You might find yourself struggling to breathe due to the fact that your airways are closing over. What is actually happening here is that the tissue in the throat is becoming swollen, which in turn is creating an increasingly narrow passageway for oxygen to travel in and out. This can create a strange sensation when breathing (tickling or noisy) and it can likewise make it harder to breathe and to get enough oxygen in.<\/p>\n

You may therefore find that many things that would normally be easy become more difficult. You might struggle to climb stairs or to continue exerting yourself during exercise for instance.<\/p>\n

You may notice that this is worse during certain times of day, or following exercise. These are further clues that it might actually be asthma that is responsible.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Eczema<\/h3>\n

There is an interesting link between eczema<\/a> and asthma. Both of these conditions will very often occur in the same people, with signs of one greatly increasing the probability that you might suffer from the other.
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become red, sore, painful and occasionally bloody. This can be very unpleasant but is actually caused by the body\u2019s own immune system triggering a response as though there were some kind of infection.<\/p>\n

This is the same process that causes asthma \u2013 the tissue in the airways becomes inflamed as the body tries to drive out what it believes is some kind of infection (but is most likely not). Thus the airways close over as this tissue becomes swollen and less space is left for oxygen to come in and out.<\/p>\n

At the same time though, it has recently been discovered that particular proteins are produced when skin breaks due to asthma and that these proteins can actually cause asthma! This goes some way to showing a potential direct link between the two conditions.\"\"<\/p>\n

4. Chest Tightness<\/h3>\n

The biggest danger with all of these symptoms of course, is that they make it difficult for you to inhale enough oxygen<\/a>. You might find yourself having to breathe more rapidly or even starting to panic due to the loss of O2.<\/p>\n

One of the responses that you are likely to feel in the body is as though the chest is very tight or compressed. This can occur as a result of excessive attempts to try and breathe, as well as due to the lack of oxygen coming in \u2013 the body can end up interpreting this as the lungs being compressed somehow.<\/p>\n

The problem is that chest tightness can often cause panic. When you panic, you then breathe even more rapidly, which actually can end up exacerbating the problem and putting you in greater danger. The key then is to try and remain calm and to use your medication if you have some. Note that this symptom can also be a sign of panic attack \u2013 or in some rare cases heart attack. \"\"<\/p>\n

5. Difficulty Exercising<\/h3>\n

These transient symptoms of an asthma attack are likely to occur as a result of some kind of \u2018trigger\u2019. In particular, you might find that when you engage in exercise<\/a>, you start to notice the side effects and symptoms. Go for a run for instance and you might find yourself becoming short of breath much more quickly than someone else might.<\/p>\n

Of course, this can be a problem as it means that you are unable to engage in activities that would otherwise be very good for you! This is also a problem seeing as there is actually a link between obesity\/weight gain and asthma.<\/p>\n

Still, this is a useful way to identify the problem as more likely being related to asthma rather than something like a panic attack.\"\"<\/p>\n

6. Light Headedness<\/h3>\n

A secondary symptom of asthma is that it can lead to light headedness. This happens due to the decreased oxygen, which in turn can lead to the brain becoming starved. As the chest tightens and the sufferer struggles to get enough oxygen, they might start to breathe more rapidly, and they might become more labored in that breathing.<\/p>\n

The result is that they can end up becoming light headed and experiencing symptoms such a blurred vision<\/a>, tiredness etc. If this is allowed to continue unchecked, then it can even eventually lead to passing out \u2013 so you need to be very careful.<\/p>\n

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7. Heartrate<\/h3>\n

Likewise, this lack of oxygen can also cause an elevated heartrate<\/a>. This happens because the heart and the breathing are linked. When you breathe rapidly, this sends a sign to your vagus nerve that you are in danger. This stimulation then triggers the sympathetic response, which in turn causes a sudden rush of neurotransmitters and hormones: such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol and others. This places you in the fight or flight mode, and in turn it causes your heartrate to increase in accordance with your more rapid breathing.<\/p>\n

This change in heartrate can however be a bad thing, as it actually means you will use up more energy and more oxygen at a point where you now have a much more limited amount. This can also lead to a panic attack, which is caused by a huge rush of those chemicals and can eventually lead to passing out and numerous other serious symptoms and side effects.<\/p>\n

The key then is to try and remain as calm as possible, even when you are feeling anxious and struggling to breathe.\"\"<\/p>\n

8. Sensitivity to Triggers<\/h3>\n

When you are asthmatic, you will usually find that these shorter-term symptoms come on as a result of some sort of trigger that leads to the attack. This could be pollen<\/a> or dander for instance, or it could be as a result of hay fever. In fact, having hay fever puts you at an increased risk\/likelihood of developing or having asthma and the two conditions are largely linked.<\/p>\n

There are many other triggers though that can also cause short-term asthma symptoms. These include things like weather changes (see the next point), as well as smoke in the air, changes in moisture content and more. If you notice that your symptoms occur largely around the same time as triggers, then this might help you to identify the problem as being related to asthma, rather than some kind of infection or general breathing difficulties.\"\"<\/p>\n

9. Difficult Mornings and Evenings<\/h3>\n

It is also common for those with asthma to find that their symptoms are significantly worse early in the morning and later in the evening. This has to do with a number of different factors. One is that you might notice yourself struggling when the air is colder, which can make it harder for your body to get the oxygen from the air and which can actually exacerbate the problem. At the same time, cold air can directly irritate the sensitive tissue<\/a> around the inside of the throat.<\/p>\n

Another problem is that we often find ourselves inhaling large amounts of pollen, dust, mold spores and other unwanted substances when we are sleeping. The same goes for smoke \u2013 and this is especially true if you sleep with your window open normally. One thing you can do to prevent this is to try keeping your window closed at night. Likewise, using technology to maintain a consistent temperature and air quality can also help a great deal.\"\"<\/p>\n

10. Anxiety<\/h3>\n

As mentioned, when you struggle to get oxygen into your lungs, you may find that this can lead to an elevated heart rate and general rapid breathing. This can all be as a result of your body trying to get more oxygen into the lungs and the blood.<\/p>\n

This rapid breathing triggers the release of \u2018fight or flight hormones\u2019, which in turn cause anxiety<\/a>. And when you combine this with the sudden loss of energy and oxygen (which the body sees as a serious warning sign), it should be no real surprise that this leads to increased anxiety and stress.<\/p>\n

You might thus find yourself with racing thoughts and panic. You might find yourself pacing or making wrong decisions. As mentioned previously, what\u2019s so important during this time is to try and control your breathing and to remain as calm as possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

11. Pale Face and Sweating<\/h3>\n

You might also find that you become paler in the face, which is a result of the loss of oxygen. Oxygen and red blood cells are what make our blood red, and this is what makes our skin appear to have color as the blood circulates close to the surface of our skin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When you aren\u2019t getting enough oxygen, this color isn\u2019t present and you might find yourself looking much paler. At the same time, the body may respond to that increased heart rate and that low oxygen by sweating and triggering perspiration.<\/p>\n

This is when it is a good idea to sit down, take a drink of water, and to try and control your breathing. This will pass!<\/p>\n\r\n

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