How Asthma Affects One's Life: Short & Long Term Complications

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the function of the lungs and respiratory system. The cause of asthma is the inflammation of the respiratory tract or excessive mucus secretion, which can cause breathing difficulties and fatigue.

Symptoms of asthma often include coughing and shortness of breath. However, this disease can have more severe effects on the health, lifestyle and emotions of the sufferer.

How Asthma Can Affect One’s Life?

1.      Frequent visits to the hospital or health facilities

Asthma is a chronic disease and most asthmatics would have to deal with the disease for their entire lifetime. People with chronic diseases usually require regular visits to health facilities to be monitored.

Similarly, if asthma isn’t managed well, it could lead to frequent asthma attacks which may require further hospital treatment.

Patients with severe asthma would also need to be monitored regularly and would therefore need to make frequent visits to the doctor.

2.      Medications and their side effects

Asthmatics who have frequent attacks or have asthma at a more serious level usually require medication in various forms such as relievers, control medications in the form of an asthma inhaler as well as oral medications.

These medications, as well as any other medications prescribed, have to be taken consistently and as instructed to ensure their efficacy. However, they may still cause certain unwanted effects. For example, corticosteroids administered orally or via an inhaler may cause side effects such as: 

• Increased heart rate

• Hoarseness

• Insomnia

• Oral yeast infections

• Irritation of the throat

  
  

Besides the side effects of these medications, patients would also have to bear their high costs which could be burdensome to them as well as their carrers.

3.      Remodelling of the respiratory tract (Airway remodelling)

Chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract can alter its structures such as the blood vessels, epithelial tissues and muscles. These structural changes are permanent and may cause:

• Thickening of the respiratory tract walls

• Chronic coughing

• Increased mucus secretion

  Loss of lung function

  
  

4.      Respiratory failure

Individuals suffering from severe asthma are also at high risk for respiratory failure. Respiratory failure occurs when the amount of oxygen that enters the bloodstream from the lungs is insufficient.

According to the data published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2018, 4.33 people per 100,000 individuals in Malaysia died from asthma. It is therefore extremely important for asthma to be treated and managed well so that it does not worsen and cause complications that are severe and life-threatening.

5.      Sleep disruptions

Asthmatics may also have their lifestyle affected. Asthma is often associated with a decreased quality of sleep. This is because most asthma sufferers experience symptoms at night, such as coughing, chest pain or shortness of breath.

A lack of quality sleep makes it difficult to focus during the day and would affect the daily routines be it at work, school or at home.

In addition, asthmatics are also more at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnoea, which involves a temporary cessation of breathing during sleep. These symptoms are serious and require further medical attention.

6.      Difficulties engaging in physical activities

Asthmatics may find it difficult to engage in certain strenuous sports and physical activities.

An asthma attack during exercise is a common trigger for asthma. However, a lack of exercise would place someone more at risk of illnesses and complications such as:

• Type II Diabetes Mellitus

• Weight gain

• High blood pressure

• Osteoporosis

• Heart diseases

7.      Effect on mental health

Asthma can also affect a person's mental health. Studies show that asthmatics show high rates of depression, anxiety and symptoms associated with them. 

This is particularly worrying as depression and anxiety can cause a person to feel less capable and would subsequently cause them to face difficulties managing their own asthma.

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Asthma is a serious chronic disease that can have various effects on the sufferers in terms of their mental and physical health. These complications could also prove to be a hassle for caregivers of asthmatics.

However, the frequency and severity of asthma attacks can be controlled through good management as well as by avoiding the triggers.

Consult your doctor on the appropriate ways to manage your asthma and how your lifestyle and diet should be adjusted to help better manage the disease.