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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
asthma damages lungs?
Answered by
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asthma damages lungs?
by kellie1, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
I just read that untreated asthma damages lungs in the long term. Is this true? I thought asthma affected the small airways, not the lungs themselves. This person said that it can cause scarring of the lungs that in later years can cause the quality of breathing to be so restricted that it can't even be controlled any longer, that the most these people can hope for is to make it 'liveable'.
First, I can't imagine anyone with asthma not wanting to treat it. Why would anyone choose not being able to breathe over using something that will make this possible? So I guess I don't understand 'when' asthma would be left untreated, or why someone would.
Also, my asthma is so mild that I don't need to use anything to control it, either a rescue inhaler or a controller. 99% of the time I am fine, the other 1% I may feel a very slight tightening that is barely noticeable and certainly doesn't affect my daily living. By after reading this, I'm so upset that I can't help thinking that, What, in 20 years I won't be able to breathe because I don't use an inhaler now??
I would very much appreciate someone who's an expert to explain this to me, as I'm sure many others would also be concerned if they read that. Thanks so much.
First, I can't imagine anyone with asthma not wanting to treat it. Why would anyone choose not being able to breathe over using something that will make this possible? So I guess I don't understand 'when' asthma would be left untreated, or why someone would.
Also, my asthma is so mild that I don't need to use anything to control it, either a rescue inhaler or a controller. 99% of the time I am fine, the other 1% I may feel a very slight tightening that is barely noticeable and certainly doesn't affect my daily living. By after reading this, I'm so upset that I can't help thinking that, What, in 20 years I won't be able to breathe because I don't use an inhaler now??
I would very much appreciate someone who's an expert to explain this to me, as I'm sure many others would also be concerned if they read that. Thanks so much.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jun 13, 2003 12:00AM
, Jun 13, 2003 12:00AM
An example of when asthma would be left untreated is a person who is having symptoms, but they have not yet been diagnosed and started on treatment. Some people do not realize when they are having very slight asthma symptoms, so their symptoms go untreated. Other people don’t acknowledge their symptoms. There are some people who are lacking knowledge about asthma and its treatment. Then there are the people who want to minimize their medicine use as much as possible. People who simply deny that they have asthma would not treat a problem that they don’t think they have.
When asthma is not treated with medicine or when the medicines are not controlling the asthma and its symptoms, then remodeling is a possibility. Remodeling causes structural changes in the airways of the lungs. When these changes happen in the small airways they are more likely to be permanent. This may speed up the natural decrease in lung function. Using a peak flow meter is helpful to monitor asthma, but this device does not measure the airflow from the small airways. For this reason it is important to periodically do a breathing test called spirometry to monitor the condition of the small airways.
Medicines that are used to treat asthma can be separated into 2 types. Most people with asthma need both types of medicines. You will need to work with your doctor to get the medicines that will be the best at helping your asthma.
1) Long-term control medicines are taken every day, even when you do not have any asthma problems. This will keep your lungs working well and prevent asthma attacks. It is important to understand that when asthma problems start these medicines do not work quick enough to help asthma symptoms. These include inhaled steroids, inhaled long-acting beta-agonists, and leukotriene modifiers.
2) Quick-relief medicines are taken when asthma problems happen. You may need these medicines to help with breathing when you have asthma symptoms or during an asthma attack. Quick-relief medicines are not a substitute for long-term control medicines.
A rescue inhaler is the most commonly used quick-relief medicine. It is an inhaled short-acting beta-agonist that generally reverses bronchospasm quickly. In addition asthma symptoms may be prevented during exercise when an inhaled short-acting beta-agonist is used before exercise. This is called pre-treating. These medicines open the airways by relaxing the tight muscles that surround the airways. Although these medicines may be used as needed to stop asthma symptoms quickly, do not over use them. Talk with your doctor if you are using more than one inhaler a month. This may mean that your asthma is out of control. Your long-term control medicines may need to be changed for better control of your asthma.
When asthma is not treated with medicine or when the medicines are not controlling the asthma and its symptoms, then remodeling is a possibility. Remodeling causes structural changes in the airways of the lungs. When these changes happen in the small airways they are more likely to be permanent. This may speed up the natural decrease in lung function. Using a peak flow meter is helpful to monitor asthma, but this device does not measure the airflow from the small airways. For this reason it is important to periodically do a breathing test called spirometry to monitor the condition of the small airways.
Medicines that are used to treat asthma can be separated into 2 types. Most people with asthma need both types of medicines. You will need to work with your doctor to get the medicines that will be the best at helping your asthma.
1) Long-term control medicines are taken every day, even when you do not have any asthma problems. This will keep your lungs working well and prevent asthma attacks. It is important to understand that when asthma problems start these medicines do not work quick enough to help asthma symptoms. These include inhaled steroids, inhaled long-acting beta-agonists, and leukotriene modifiers.
2) Quick-relief medicines are taken when asthma problems happen. You may need these medicines to help with breathing when you have asthma symptoms or during an asthma attack. Quick-relief medicines are not a substitute for long-term control medicines.
A rescue inhaler is the most commonly used quick-relief medicine. It is an inhaled short-acting beta-agonist that generally reverses bronchospasm quickly. In addition asthma symptoms may be prevented during exercise when an inhaled short-acting beta-agonist is used before exercise. This is called pre-treating. These medicines open the airways by relaxing the tight muscles that surround the airways. Although these medicines may be used as needed to stop asthma symptoms quickly, do not over use them. Talk with your doctor if you are using more than one inhaler a month. This may mean that your asthma is out of control. Your long-term control medicines may need to be changed for better control of your asthma.
