Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes the bronchi to become narrow and irritated. This causes difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing. Asthma affects both children and adults and is one of the most common chronic diseases in Norway. With proper treatment, most people with asthma can live an active and normal life.
Asthma can be triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and animal dander, but also by cold, physical activity, air pollution, and respiratory infections. The severity varies from person to person, and symptoms can change over time.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath and a feeling of tightness in the chest
- Wheezing and whistling when exhaling
- Cough, especially at night or in the early morning
- Difficulty breathing during physical activity
- Worsening of symptoms with a cold or allergy exposure
- Asthma attack with severe breathing difficulties
When should you contact a doctor?
- You suspect you have asthma
- Your asthma medication does not provide adequate symptom control
- You use rescue medication more than twice a week
- Symptoms interfere with sleep or daily activities
- You experience a worsening of your asthma
- You need a renewal of your asthma medication prescription
Treatment
Asthma treatment is divided into preventive medication and rescue medication. Inhaled corticosteroids are the cornerstone of preventive treatment and reduce inflammation in the airways. Rescue medication (short-acting beta-2 agonists) is used for acute symptoms. A doctor at Eyr can assess your asthma, adjust your treatment, and renew prescriptions. For new symptoms, the doctor can start an investigation and possibly refer you to a specialist.
