What is Asthma, What Are Its Symptoms and How Is It Treated?

Asthma is a lung disease that directly affects your quality of life by causing chronic inflammation and narrowing in the airways, making it difficult to breathe. The clearest answer to the question what is asthma is that it is a condition where the airways become overly sensitive to various external factors, swell, and contract while producing excess mucus. With a proper treatment plan, avoiding triggers, and regular medical follow-ups, asthma symptoms can be brought under control, allowing you to continue your daily life uninterrupted and comfortably.

• Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by the narrowing of the airways.
• The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and a persistent cough.
• Pollen, dust mites, cold air, stress, and genetic predisposition are the most well-known triggers.
• The foundation of treatment consists of inhaler medications and therapies that suppress airway inflammation.
• With regular follow-ups by a specialist physician, asthma attacks can be largely prevented.

What is Asthma and Who Gets It?

In a healthy person, during the breathing process, air passes through the nose and mouth to reach the air tubes in the lungs called bronchi. In asthma patients, the inner lining of these bronchi is constantly sensitive and slightly inflamed. When confronted with an external trigger, the muscles surrounding the airways suddenly contract, the inner lining swells, and much more mucus (phlegm) is produced than normal. This triple reaction makes it difficult for air to enter and exit the lungs.

The disease can affect both children and adults. It is a very common respiratory problem in Türkiye and around the world. While it may only manifest during light exercise or seasonal transitions in some individuals, it can follow a severe and chronic course that restricts daily life in other patients. Asthma that starts particularly in childhood may subside in later years, but there are also types of asthma that suddenly appear in adulthood.

What Causes Asthma and What Are the Risk Factors?

Although the exact cause of the disease is not fully known, it is accepted that it emerges from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. When answering the question what causes asthma, it is necessary to distinguish between the fundamental factors that initiate the disease and the situations that trigger attacks. People with a family history of asthma or allergic rhinitis (hay fever) have a much higher risk of developing this condition.

Environmental Triggers and Allergens

Many substances we encounter in our daily lives can stimulate sensitized airways and cause the disease to flare up. Staying away from these triggers is one of the most important steps in treatment. The main elements that trigger the disease are:

• Pollen: Pollen produced by trees, grasses, and weeds triggers allergic asthma attacks, especially during the spring months.
• House dust mites: These microscopic creatures living in beds, pillows, carpets, and plush toys are the main cause of year-round complaints.
• Pet allergens: Skin dander, fur, and saliva from cats and dogs can cause severe reactions in the respiratory tract.
• Strong odors and chemicals: Perfumes, bleach, paint fumes, and industrial chemicals irritate the airways.
• Air pollution and cigarette smoke: Active or passive smoking is one of the most dangerous risk factors for asthma patients.

Genetic Predisposition and Infections

The likelihood of the disease occurring increases in children whose mother or father has asthma. In addition, severe respiratory tract infections experienced during infancy and early childhood can affect lung development, paving the way for asthma in later years. Viral infections like the flu and the common cold increase the inflammation in the airways of existing asthma patients, raising the frequency of attacks. To learn in detail about protection methods against the increased risks, especially during seasonal transitions, you can review our article titled Ways to Prevent Asthma Attacks in Autumn.

What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?

The symptoms of the disease vary greatly from person to person. While some patients experience no complaints for a long time and symptoms only appear when exposed to triggers, in other patients, symptoms have become a part of daily life. Asthma symptoms generally tend to worsen at night or towards the early morning.

Common Complaints

In the early stages of the disease or during periods when it is mild, the following symptoms are observed:

• A whistling or wheezing sound heard when breathing, especially when exhaling.
• Dry and persistent coughing fits that wake you up from sleep at night.
• A feeling of pressure, tightness, heaviness, or pain in the chest.
• Getting tired quickly and becoming breathless while climbing stairs, exercising, or walking at a brisk pace.
• Increased coughing during emotional changes such as laughing or crying.

Asthma Attack Symptoms

The situation where the narrowing in the airways reaches dangerous levels is called an asthma attack. This situation requires emergency medical intervention. During an attack, shortness of breath is very severe; the patient has difficulty speaking or even walking. Bruising (cyanosis) due to lack of oxygen can be seen on the fingertips, lips, and nail beds. Severe retractions occur in the chest, and the patient experiences intense panic and anxiety. The failure of symptoms to ease despite the use of rescue inhaler medications indicates the severity of the attack.

How is Asthma Diagnosed at the Hospital?

Accurate diagnosis of the disease is the first and most critical step in creating a personalized treatment plan. The pulmonologist first listens in detail to the patient's medical history, genetic diseases in their family, and the situations in which the complaints increase. Then, the lungs are listened to with a stethoscope to check for wheezing or abnormalities in breathing sounds.

The most common method used to confirm the diagnosis is the Pulmonary Function Test (Spirometry). In this test, the patient takes a deep breath and blows rapidly into a tube connected to a device. The device measures how much air the lungs can hold and how quickly the air can be emptied from the lungs. When necessary, the test is repeated after giving the patient a breath-opening medication (bronchodilator) to see if the narrowing in the airways is reversible. In addition, allergy skin tests or specific IgE blood tests may be requested to identify the elements triggering the disease. A chest X-ray is also part of the diagnostic process to rule out other lung diseases.

How is Asthma Treated?

In current medical science, there is no definitive cure that completely eliminates asthma; however, the disease can be excellently controlled with modern medications. Asthma treatment aims to suppress the inflammation in the airways and widen the narrowed bronchi to allow the patient to breathe comfortably.

Inhaler Medications and Bronchodilators

The most frequently used method in treatment is inhaler devices that allow medications to reach the lungs directly. These devices minimize side effects by ensuring the medication acts directly on the target area without mixing into the blood. Bronchodilators rapidly relax the muscles around the airways, providing relief within minutes. These medications are generally called "rescue inhalers" and are only used when symptoms appear or during an attack.

Cortisone and Anti-inflammatory Treatments

"Controller" medications are used to treat the underlying inflammation of the disease. Inhaled corticosteroids (cortisone taken through the breath) reduce swelling and sensitivity in the airways. For these medications to be effective, they must be used every day, regularly, and at the dose recommended by the doctor. Even if the patient feels well, stopping controller medications will cause the disease to flare up again in a short time.

Advanced Biological Therapies

Biological therapies come into play for severe asthma patients who do not respond to traditional inhaler treatments and frequently have to visit the emergency room. These treatments work by targeting specific antibodies or cells in the immune system that cause asthma. These methods, usually administered as injections, significantly increase the quality of life in severe asthma cases.

What is Good for Asthma? (Supportive Recommendations for Medical Treatment)

Although patients often look to nature for the answer to the question what is good for asthma, it must definitely be kept in mind that natural methods can only play a supportive role to medical treatment. These methods can never replace the rescue or controller medications prescribed by your doctor. Before applying any herbal tea, supplement, or natural method, you must absolutely get the approval of your pulmonologist.

Supportive recommendations aimed at increasing your quality of life, which can be applied with a physician's approval, are as follows:

• Adequate Water Consumption: Drinking at least 2-2.5 liters of water a day helps thin the mucus (phlegm) in the airways and makes it easier to expel.
• Antioxidant-Rich Diet: Fruits rich in vitamin C like apples, oranges, and pomegranates, along with vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, and carrots, support immunity.
• Ginger and Turmeric: Known for their natural anti-inflammatory properties, these spices can be added to the diet with a physician's approval.
• Saltwater Gargle: Gargling with warm saltwater can be done to relieve irritation in the throat and clean the upper respiratory tract.
• Omega-3 Sources: Consuming fatty fish like salmon and mackerel contributes to lowering the general inflammation level in the body.

Complications and Course of the Disease

Asthma can lead to serious health problems when not treated regularly or when doctor's warnings are ignored. Over time, permanent structural changes (airway remodeling) occur in airways that remain constantly inflamed. This situation causes a permanent decrease in lung capacity and leads to the patient experiencing constant shortness of breath.

In addition, uncontrolled asthma leads to chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, and the restriction of daily physical activities. The lungs of asthma patients are more sensitive to viral infections. To learn about the effects of respiratory tract infections on the lungs and the precautions that should be taken during this process, you can read our article on The Effects of the Coronavirus on the Lungs and Ways to Protect Yourself.

When to See a Doctor and Emergencies

If you think you are starting to show asthma symptoms, you should consult a pulmonologist without delay. Early diagnosis is of vital importance in terms of protecting lung functions. At the same time, existing asthma patients should not neglect their routine check-ups.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should immediately call the 112 Emergency Call Center or visit the emergency department of the nearest hospital without wasting time:

• If your shortness of breath does not pass or worsens despite using your rescue inhaler medication.
• If there are severe retractions in your chest and neck muscles while breathing.
• If you have difficulty putting words together and cannot form sentences while speaking.
• If you notice a bluish tint (cyanosis) on your lips, face, or nail beds.
• If there is a state of severe panic, confusion, or a tendency to fall asleep.

The Asthma Process at BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi

As BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, we provide services at international standards in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory tract diseases. In our Pulmonology department, we precisely determine the stage of your disease with modern pulmonary function tests and allergy screenings, and create the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

A multidisciplinary approach is adopted in our hospital. For example, cancer diagnosis and treatment processes are meticulously carried out in our Medical Oncology department by our expert physicians and with a Tumor Board approach. For our patients who are receiving cancer treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) and simultaneously have chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, we offer a safe and comfortable recovery process through the coordinated work of both departments.

Our Emergency Department, which provides 24/7 service for possible asthma attacks and sudden respiratory distress, is by your side at all times. For emergencies and detailed information, you can reach our call center at 0850 811 34 00 at any time of the day. To bring your health under control and consult with our expert physicians, you can visit our appointment page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can asthma be completely cured?

There is no definitive cure that completely eliminates asthma medically. However, with proper medication use, avoiding triggers, and regular doctor follow-ups, the disease can be completely brought under control, and the person can continue their normal life without experiencing any complaints.

What should be done first during an asthma attack?

During an attack, first try to stay calm and sit in an upright position. Use your fast-acting (rescue) inhaler medication previously prescribed by your doctor at the recommended dose. If there is no relief within 10-15 minutes or if the symptoms worsen, immediately call 112 or visit the emergency room.

Can asthma patients exercise?

Yes, individuals whose disease is under control can easily participate in sports. In fact, regular and light-paced exercises positively contribute to the course of the disease by increasing lung capacity. It is important to warm up before exercise and, if necessary, use the protective medication recommended by your doctor.

Does asthma during pregnancy harm the baby?

Asthma does not harm the baby as long as it is kept under control during pregnancy. However, uncontrolled asthma can negatively affect the baby's development as it can lower the oxygen level in the mother's blood. For this reason, patients who are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant must definitely adjust their medications with their doctors.

Are asthma medications addictive?

No, inhaler medications, bronchodilators, or cortisone sprays used in asthma treatment are not addictive. These medications are designed to treat inflammation and narrowing in the airways. Patients using their medications regularly is a medical necessity, not an addiction.

This article is for informational purposes only; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.