World Asthma Day 2025: What are the early signs of the disease and what breathing exercises can help

For people who struggle with breathing, the ‘breathe easy’ reminder doesn't seem like a comforting one. Asthma , one of the most common breathing troubles, is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. However, it is classified as a disease because it is a condition that causes specific, identifiable changes in the body's physiology and can lead to a variety of symptoms and health problems.

World Asthma Day (the second Tuesday of May) is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.


What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. This condition can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, which can range from mild to severe and come and go over time.


Here's a more detailed explanation:

Airway inflammation: Asthma triggers the airways to become inflamed, leading to swelling and increased mucus production.

Airway narrowing: The inflammation and muscle contractions around the airways cause them to narrow, making it harder for air to flow in and out of the lungs.

Triggers: Asthma can be triggered by various factors, including allergens, irritants, respiratory infections, exercise, and even emotions.

Asthma Attacks : When symptoms become severe, it's called an asthma attack or flare-up, which can be life-threatening.


What are the early signs of asthma?

Early signs of asthma include frequent coughing, especially at night, wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing out), shortness of breath, and chest tightness. These symptoms may worsen during exercise or with respiratory infections like colds or flu. Other signs include feeling tired or moody, and trouble sleeping due to breathing difficulties.


Take a detailed look.

Coughing: A persistent cough, especially at night, is a common early sign. It may be dry or produce mucus.

Wheezing: Wheezing is a whistling or squeaking sound when breathing, particularly when exhaling. It's a hallmark of asthma.

Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, feeling out of breath, or needing to breathe faster than usual can be an early warning.

Chest tightness: A feeling of tightness or pain in the chest, making it difficult to breathe deeply, is another symptom.

Exercise-induced asthma: Symptoms like wheezing or coughing during or after exercise can indicate asthma.

Nighttime asthma: Asthma symptoms are often worse at night, leading to difficulty sleeping.

Fatigue and mood changes: Feeling tired, irritable, or easily upset can be related to asthma, especially if breathing is labored.

Trigger-related symptoms: Asthma symptoms can be triggered by various factors, including allergens, irritants, exercise, and respiratory infections like colds or flu.


Can any previous disease trigger asthma?

Certain previous diseases or conditions can potentially trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. Respiratory infections like colds and flu are common triggers, and viral infections can also predispose individuals to developing asthma later in life, especially in infants and young children.


Here's a more detailed explanation:

Colds and flu: These are among the most common causes of asthma flare-ups, especially in young children. Even mild colds can lead to wheezing and chest tightness. COVID-19, pneumonia, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections can also trigger asthma symptoms.

Allergies: People with allergies are more likely to develop asthma, and allergic reactions can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle or menopause can trigger asthma symptoms.

Viral infections: Wheezing caused by viral infections, particularly RSV and human rhinovirus, may increase the risk of developing asthma later in life.

Air pollution: Exposure to air pollution, especially in early life, can increase the risk of asthma.

Tobacco smoke: Tobacco smoke, both first-hand and second-hand, is a significant risk factor for asthma.

Occupational exposure: Certain occupational exposures can also trigger or worsen asthma.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obesity, and nasal polyps can be associated with asthma as well.

What breathing exercises can help?

Breathing exercises like diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing, as well as activities like walking, swimming, and sports, with short bursts of activity.


The following are the breathing exercises that can prove helpful:

Diaphragmatic breathing: This exercise helps strengthen the diaphragm, improving lung efficiency and reducing shallow breathing. It involves inhaling deeply through the nose, allowing the belly to rise while keeping the chest still, and exhaling slowly through the mouth.

Pursed-lip breathing: This technique slows down breathing and helps keep airways open, particularly useful during shortness of breath. It involves inhaling slowly through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips.

Buteyko breathing method: This method focuses on reducing breath volume to prevent hyperventilation and improve carbon dioxide levels. It involves holding your breath after exhaling until you feel the urge to breathe.


What are the treatments for asthma?

Asthma treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing attacks through medications, inhalers, and, in some cases, allergy shots. The main types of treatment include quick-relief medications to open airways during attacks and long-term control medications to reduce inflammation and prevent future attacks.


Medications:

Quick-relief inhalers (bronchodilators): These medications, like albuterol, relax the muscles around the airways, allowing for easier breathing during an asthma attack.

Long-term control medications: These are taken daily to reduce inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms, including inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone.

Biologics: These are injections that target specific proteins involved in asthma to prevent airway swelling, particularly for severe asthma.

Leukotriene modifiers: These oral medications prevent the body from making leukotrienes, which can trigger asthma symptoms.

Cromolyn sodium: This mast cell stabilizer is used in a nebulizer to prevent the release of certain chemicals that can cause asthma symptoms.

Other treatments:

Allergy shots (immunotherapy): For allergic asthma, these shots can help desensitize the body to allergens and reduce asthma symptoms.

Inhalers with spacers: Spacers make it easier to use inhalers, especially for children and in emergencies.

Nebulizers: These devices convert liquid medication into a mist that can be inhaled, especially helpful for those who have difficulty using an inhaler.

Hospital treatment: In severe cases, hospital treatment may include oxygen therapy, high-dose inhaled medications, steroids, and, in rare cases, mechanical ventilation.