What is hyperreactive airway disease?

Have you ever met someone who gets winded just by walking up a flight of stairs? Or maybe, that person is you. Well, if that’s the case, sit tight and breathe easy because we’re about to dive into the world of hyperreactive airway disease.

What in the World is Hyperreactive Airway Disease?

Hyper what now? Let’s break it down for our non-medical experts out there – hyperreactive airway disease (HRAD) is a fancy way of saying “your lungs are overreacting.”

So what exactly are they overreacting to? Anything and everything. HRAD causes your bronchial tubes (the things inside your lungs that allow air to pass through) to be sensitive to all sorts of triggers like allergens or irritants like smoke or perfume.

And when these triggers are present, BAM! Your bronchial tubes contract, making breathing difficult AF. It can feel as though there’s a hand squeezing your chest with each breath.

Anyway…

Symptoms That’ll Make You Go ‘Hmm’

The symptoms associated with HRAD may make some people think twice before taking their next breath – or at least until the risk factors disappear:

  • Easy fatigue during/after exercise
  • Persistent coughing
  • Wheezing while exhaling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tight feeling around chest

Sarcasm on: Oh boy! I can’t wait for my next workout so I can experience wheezing while trying not to collapse.Sarcasm off

Who Gets It?

This condition affects individuals across different age groups but due its reactive nature it often hits kids more frequently than adults(right?). Genetics might play an influential role(maybe). Health-wise Can’t rule out other health issues such as obesity playing a part too(unless proven wrong).

Here’s who may be more susceptible to HRAD:

  • Children
  • Those with family history of asthma and allergies
  • People with respiratory infections
  • Obese individuals

Diagnosis

If you think that you have the symptoms mentioned earlier(be afraid, very afraid), it is essential(pretty please) to seek a medical evaluation. To determine whether one has this condition, a range of tests could help in reaching the diagnosis including;

1. Spirometry: This test identifies how well your lungs are functioning by measuring air volume entering/exiting your lungs while breathing through a device.

2. Peak Flow Test: Individuals exhale as hard/fast as they can into an apparatus, allows monitoring maximal airflow(all about them numbers)

As much as we like inhaling fresh air without any unnecessary resistance from our respiratory system(genius observation), some people living with hyperreactive airway disease need to take extra steps just to stay comfortable.

Lifestyle Changes

Certain lifestyle changes could alleviate difficulties associated with exercising or environmental exposure…

Quit Smoking: Smoking exposes the delicate environment within your bronchial passages and eventually leads(undeniably) worsening HRAD symptoms over time. Putting out that cigarette/juul/whatever might save(and lengthen) at least one life(s).

Avoid Triggers: Managing triggers plays an important role preventing complications; Stay clear(smart maneuvering)of things setting off annoying sensations such wood smoke or pollen etc., because their impact ranges from bad all the way up to worse(dependent on severity). Quite frankly experience should tell at what point these situations turn sour(challenging situation avoided).

Which brings us now and again (it’s repetitive for emphasis):

Psst, try allergy control measures where necessary(makes sense right?)nudge nudge

Keep these promises(okay it’s less stringent but you know what I mean):

Change sheets regularly/frequently to avoid dust accumulations

Vacuum carpets and floors of living spaces.

Consider purchasing a HEPA filter for your HVAC system.

Getting Medications Right

There are medications that could ease the symptoms of HRAD. Usually, this is part of a personalized care plan drawn up by your physician who selects what works best in consideration to factors such as age, severity and lifestyle habits.

Here’s what each medication does;

Bronchodilators: These guys come in handy for opening up inflamed bronchial passages(making breathing less annoying). They may also offer some emergency respite during attacks(the type where you really do consider calling an ambulance).

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Reduce swelling down across airways hence making things easier on breathing (good stuff right?). Some examples include steroids that can be taken orally or inhaled with rare ones being injected directly into bronchial tissues(the latter requires expertise from licensed medical practitionerno DIYs please)

Fun tip: Always let 🩺 know if any changes occur when conducting diagnostic tests so they’ll tweak accordingly until desired results are achieved.

Now you’ve made it all the way through this guide about hyperreactive airway disease! Congrats…I guess?

But seriously, living with HRAD can be (lung) exhausting but isn’t insurmountable. Whether taking prescribed action steps or implementing personal tactics(as long it doesn’t turn ridiculous), every step counts towards overtime management advantages over time(sorry I’m not sorry).

Just keep advocating your case(my preferred word choice), generating awareness whenever possible(because why drown alone?)and don’t hesitate in seeking medical advice.(or leaping over obstacles)

Take a deep breath now…and exhale slowly…now repeat…niiiicccceeee!

Okay just one more . Inhale ……………………………………..Exhale………………………………………………

Feeling better? Great…let’s take on the world! 🌍

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