Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways leading to the lungs, which is commonly found worldwide, including in Indonesia. The prevalence of this condition is undoubtedly due to the variety of causes and triggers of asthma. By understanding the causes, we can avoid and prevent the complications of asthma.

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to foreign substances that are harmless to most people. These foreign substances that trigger allergies are called allergens. According to data from Asthma UK, about 80% of people with asthma also have allergies.

CAUSES

The causes of asthma include inflammation and increased sensitivity in the respiratory tract. During an asthma attack, the respiratory tract reacts to triggers such as dust, stress, and smoke. This condition will increase mucus production as well as narrow the airways, making it difficult for someone to breathe.

Each person may experience asthma due to different triggers. Some of the most common causes of asthma include allergies, coughing, stress, medication, exercise, air pollution, and obesity.

SYMPTOMS

Both allergies and asthma cause symptoms in the respiratory system, such as coughing and a blocked nose. However, there are specific symptoms that only appear in those with allergies, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rashes, and an itchy throat. In asthma, the symptoms generally include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, and worsening coughs at night or during exercise.

TREATMENT

Two things are done in the treatment of asthma: relieving symptoms and preventing them from recurring. Asthma patients need to be disciplined in undergoing treatment with a doctor to keep asthma under control. In addition to undergoing treatment, people with asthma must also avoid things that trigger relapses.

PREVENTION

This lung disorder is a type of disease that can be controlled by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and paying attention to several things, such as recognizing and avoiding asthma triggers, following the doctor's recommended asthma management plan, taking appropriate treatment steps by recognizing the causes of asthma attacks, using asthma medications prescribed by the doctor regularly, and monitoring the condition of the airways.

COMPLICATIONS

Untreated asthma can lead to various complications, such as psychological issues, decreased performance at school or work, frequent fatigue, growth and puberty disorders in children, status asthmaticus, pneumonia, respiratory failure, damage to part or all of the lungs, and death.

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose asthma, doctors will first conduct a medical interview (anamnesis) and physical examination. Additionally, doctors will perform several supporting examinations to help confirm the diagnosis.

One of the supporting examinations conducted is autospirometry, which measures lung function using a spirometer. With this device, doctors can assess airway obstruction, reversibility of lung function abnormalities, and variability in lung function. This examination is crucial for establishing an asthma diagnosis, as asthma symptoms often resemble those of other diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Moreover, doctors may also conduct a peak expiratory flow rate measurement with a peak flow rate meter. This test helps assess how well a person's lungs are functioning and how well their asthma is controlled.

Allergy testing is also essential to determine whether allergies play a role in an individual's asthma symptoms. Various types of allergy tests that can be performed include total IgE tests, specific IgE panel tests for 54 and 96 types, and food tolerance tests.

Lastly, a thoracic imaging test can also be performed to rule out the possibility of other diseases causing symptoms similar to asthma. By conducting these comprehensive examinations, doctors can diagnose asthma more accurately and provide appropriate treatment to control the symptoms.

Keywords: asthma, chronic disease, inflammation of the respiratory tract, narrowing of the airways, swelling of the airways, asthma symptoms, cough, shortness of breath, heavy chest, hoarse voice, episodic, asthma diagnosis, medical interview, physical examination, autospirometry, spirometer, airway obstruction, reversibility of lung function abnormalities, variability in lung function, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, peak expiratory flow rate, peak flow rate meter, allergy testing, total IgE, specific IgE panel, food tolerance test, thoracic imaging, asthma treatment, symptom control.

REFERENCES
Minister of Health Decision Number 1023/Menkes/SK/XI/2008 on Asthma Disease Control Guidelines.
National Health Service – UK. Health A-Z. Asthma.
NIH. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
WebMD. Accessed in 2024. Toxins in Dust Raise Risk of Asthma.

Author: Dr. Puppy Nawangwulan (Medical Service Doctor at Surabaya Kendangsari Branch)