If you or your child has been diagnosed with asthma, you may have asked the question, “Can asthma go away?”.
Unfortunately, the truth is that asthma does not ever truly go away. However, with proper management, many people can experience periods when their symptoms significantly decrease or disappear entirely. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a lifelong lung condition that causes breathing problems in people of any age, but symptoms typically start in childhood. The severity can vary. Most people experience mild or intermittent symptoms, while others experience more severe ones requiring careful monitoring and treatment.
Symptoms of Asthma
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Wheezing with exhaling
- Reduced sleep quality due to coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing
- Wheezing or coughing attacks worsened by a cold or flu
What Causes Asthma?
When you have asthma, your airways can react to things in the environment around you and cause allergy symptoms like shortness of breath and wheezing. Common triggers include:
- Infections such as colds or the flu
- Pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites, and other common allergens
- Irritants like strong perfumes or cleaning solutions
- Tobacco smoke
- Air pollution
- Cold air or drastic temperature or humidity changes
- Physical exercise
- Indigestion or GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Certain medications like aspirin
- Sulfites and other food preservatives are found in pickles, dried fruit, shrimp, beer, and wine.
How Is Asthma Treated?
Asthma is often treated through a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and careful monitoring. Treatment plans are tailored to a person’s individual needs and the severity and frequency of their symptoms.
Many people with asthma find relief from their symptoms by simply making certain lifestyle changes, like avoiding allergens and controlling their environment by using air purifiers in their homes.
Other people respond better to medications like fast-acting inhalers or long-term control inhalers that are used daily to prevent symptoms and decrease inflammation within the lungs.
So, Can Asthma Go Away?
The truth is, if you have been diagnosed with asthma, it will always be a part of your life. With proper treatment and management, your symptoms can become so minor that they will not interfere with your daily life. A diagnosis may feel discouraging, but we are here to answer all of your questions and help get your asthma under control so that you can enjoy your life symptom-free.
If you have questions regarding an asthma diagnosis or how to control your symptoms better, it’s time to partner with a doctor. Our pediatricians are experts in helping you manage your child’s asthma and our internal medicine specialists are here for adults.
Don’t continue to suffer from uncontrolled symptoms – schedule an appointment today!