Asthma is a chronic illness that affects the airways and lungs. With asthma, the airways are hypersensitive, often becoming red and swollen. Over time, asthma can lead to infections or lung scarring, or the tubes of the lungs can become thicker, making it hard for air to pass through.
Seeing an asthma specialist to treat your asthma is essential to avoiding other dangerous health conditions. Many people don’t realize that their symptoms have worsened until it’s too late. Though there isn’t a cure for asthma, you should take your medication and avoid triggering situations. Keep reading to discover the lasting effect of asthma if left untreated.
Increased Risk of Infection
Exposure to irritants can cause your airway tissue to swell, triggering an asthma attack. This is the body’s way of protecting the tissue. Repeated inflammation can increase the risk of lung infections.
Decreased Exercise Tolerance
Bronchoconstriction is known as exercise-induced asthma. This happens when the airways constrict due to physical activity. However, bronchoconstriction can also occur when asthma conditions are severe or untreated. People with poorly managed asthma tend to engage in less physical activity, and over time, this can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
Airway Remodeling
When you leave asthma untreated, you increase the chances of your airway remodeling. When your airway remodels, your bronchial tubes permanently narrow, and you could develop chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) over time. Airway remodeling can also lead to structural damage, resulting in decreased lung functionality and increased blood in the airways.
Increased Mucus
Bronchoconstriction and lung inflammation can cause an increase in mucus, which can become stuck in the airway. The more that accumulates, the tighter the airway becomes and the more prominent wheezing and coughing during asthma attacks become. Excess mucus can also increase the chances of infections such as pneumonia, and repeated infections can lead to lung damage.
Taking control of your asthma and working with your health-care provider to find the proper treatment is the best way to prevent the lasting effects of asthma if left untreated. Here at Allergy & ENT Associates, our professional allergists will ensure you have the best treatment for long-term asthma management. If you would like more information about treating your asthma, contact our asthma specialists near Houston. Please call our central appointment desk at (713) MY-SINUS or (713) 766-5934 to schedule an appointment to see one of our asthma specialists.
