Lifemaxxing Mindset: Asthma Explained: Symptoms, Triggers and Management

Ever found yourself huffing and puffing like you just ran a marathon—when all you really did was climb the stairs? It might not just be “bad stamina.” It could be asthma, a condition that makes breathing feel like trying to sip air through a tiny straw.

In this blog, we'll explore its symptoms, triggers, tests and practical steps for effective management.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition in which the airways in the lungs become inflammed and narrowed. This inflammation makes the airways more reactive to triggers, causing them to tighten and restrict airflow.

Basically, asthma negatively affects how easily air moves in and out of your lungs, making breathing more difficult during flare-ups.

One statistical analysis concluded that the incidence of asthma in children aged 0-14 years across the globe is 1030.3 per 10000, with this being higher in males than females. That sums up to roughly 1 cases per 10 children!

So if you have kids, it’s important to be aware of the risk of asthma early on.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of asthma can vary from person to person and they often happen at certain periods

The signs and symptoms include:

Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Night time awakening due to asthma
Coughing, especially during cold weather or when you have a respiratory illness such as the flu.

Asthma vs COPD

You may have come across the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in daily life. It’s often confused with asthma, but they're as different as apples and oranges.

Here are 3 distinct differences between asthma and COPD:

Asthma can develop at any age and often starts in childhood, while COPD tends to develop after age 40 due to long term smoking or exposure to irritants
Asthma attacks are intermittent, variable and may be reversible with treatment. COPD, on the other hand, is a progressive, non reversible and gradually worsening condition
Asthma is commonly linked to atopy and usually involves little sputum, whereas COPD is often associated with greater sputum production and minimal atopy.

Some people with asthma also experience eczema and hay fever — together, they are known as the atopic triad.

Triggers and Causes

Asthma triggers can be different for every person, these can include:

Allergens - pollen, mold, dust mites and pet dander
Exercise
Respiratory infections such as flu
Cold air and weather

Additionally, if you are on these medications, they can trigger asthma as well

Beta Blockers (eg. bisoprolol, metoprolol)
Painkillers and NSAIDs (eg. ibuprofen, aspirin)
ACE Inhibitors that can worsen cough symptoms (eg. perindopril, lisinopril)

Therefore, it is important to disclose your medication history to every healthcare professional you visit.

Diagnosis

Doctors will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and may also perform a variety of diagnostic tests such as:

Spirometry – measures how much air you can exhale and how quickly, to check for airflow limitation.
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) test – uses a peak flow meter to monitor changes in breathing capacity over time.
Bronchodilator reversibility test – checks if lung function improves after using an inhaler (suggesting asthma if improvement is significant).

Management Tips

While asthma cannot be completely cured, it is still not the end of the world as it can be effectively managed with the right treatment and lifestyle measures. The goal is to control symptoms, prevent attacks, and help you live an active, healthy life.

Take inhaler medications as prescribed
Identify and avoid triggers
Have an written asthma action plan
Monitor symptoms and lung function
Notice if you rely on your reliever inhaler more frequently

FAQs

Is asthma the same as allergies?

Not exactly. Asthma affects the lungs and breathing, while allergies involve the immune system. However, allergic reactions can often trigger asthma symptoms.

Can I exercise if I have asthma?

Yes! With proper treatment and precautions, most people with asthma can safely exercise and even play sports. You can use your quick-relief inhaler 10 minutes before physical activity

What should I do during an asthma attack?

Use your quick-relief inhaler right away, follow your asthma action plan, and seek emergency medical help if symptoms don’t improve.

Lifemaxxing Mindset

8/28/25

Asthma Explained: Symptoms, Triggers and Management