Asthma In Women: How It Affects Female Body Differently? Symptoms To Preventions, All You Need To Know

Although asthma is a common respiratory disease, it affects women differently.

Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain are some of the symptoms of the chronic respiratory disease, asthma. It is a respiratory condition that occurs due to inflammation in the airways. There is not one but several triggers that can cause it. While this health condition can develop in anyone, women are often considered to be more at risk of contracting the disease. Asthma is a very common disease in women that affects them differently. There can be several triggers for asthma. Especially at a time when cities are turning into gas chambers due to pollution, children have started developing such conditions at an early stage.

According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, “Gender differences in the incidence, prevalence, and severity of asthma have been reported worldwide. After puberty, asthma becomes more prevalent and severe in women, and is higher in women with early menarche or multiple gestations, suggesting a role for sex hormones in the genesis of asthma.”

Asthma affects women differently

There can be several triggers that cause asthma, however, hormonal changes in women are one of the main causes that lead to respiratory disorder. While hammering and cleaning, women are exposed to common triggers such as smoke, dust, and strong food odors. Cooking in chulha also makes them more prone to asthma.

Other than that, continuous exposure to irritants is also a major trigger. In the rural setting, women are mainly responsible for childcare, household and are also engaged in physical labor such as working as a house helper, cleaning, etc. Therefore, too much physical activity has some effect.

According to a report in the Indian Express, Dr. Vrushali Khadke said, “For example, during menstruation, a drop in estrogen levels can trigger inflammation and asthma attacks. Nearly 20 to 25 percent of all women with asthma experience exacerbated symptoms, such as chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath, just before their menstrual cycle begins. Pregnancy, on the other hand, can lead to increased progesterone levels, which can cause airway constriction and shortness of breath. Thirty percent of women with asthma experience a worsening of symptoms during pregnancy. However, postmenopausal incidence reduces the risk of developing asthma.

Genetically and hormonally until menopause they have better coverage against bronchial zsthma but after menopause hormonal changes make them more vulnerable. Speaking to india.com, Dr. Ravi Dosi, Pulmonary Medicine Consultant, said that if we look at our routine OPD practice, we realize that women suffer more severely from asthma compared to their male counterparts in the same group. old.

Signs, Symptoms and Precautions

Early diagnosis in the recognition of asthma is of the utmost importance to keep it under control. Once a patient has been diagnosed with asthma, the main precaution to identify is what are the causes, also known as triggers, and whether or not they are preventable.

Women with asthma and allergy cases usually have symptoms in the form of:

• stuffy nose
• sneezing
• Headache
• dyspnoea
• Wheezing when climbing stairs
• sputum in cough
• Weather changes can cause weakness

prevention for asthma

While some things may be unavoidable, we should do everything possible to try to reduce the risk of developing health problems. Here are some generic lifestyles we can do:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Identify triggers and try to avoid them
• Reduce exposure to occupational and environmental irritants, allergens
• control your breathing
• Take the right medication

(-Inputs from Dr. Ravi Dosi, Consultant, Pulmonary Medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital)