Extreme Sensitivity to Tobacco Smoke - A Symptom of Asthma

When you're diagnosed with asthma, your doctor will likely discuss a wide range of different things with you. In most cases you can expect to learn more about exactly what your treatment options for your asthma will be and learn some of the various symptoms that may occur as a result of it. There are a wide range of different asthma related issues, but one of the most important to keep in mind is certainly an extreme sensitivity to tobacco smoke. It may not sound like much of a symptom to those without asthma, but anyone who has suffered this disease before can attest to the fact that it will be one of the most important things that you keep in mind.

Asthma obviously affects your ability to breathe, but it's important to remember how it does so. Basically, asthma troubles are caused by inflammations of varying degrees of severity within the lungs. These inflammations narrow the airways that your body uses to inhale and exhale, and the narrower they are the harder it will be to catch your breath. When you experience an asthma attack, that's usually the airways closing up to very small proportions. Obviously avoiding these inflammations is a key part of dealing with asthma, and that's why it's important that you understand the fact that your asthma will come with an intense sensitivity to smoke from tobacco products.

Even the residue of tobacco on clothing will be enough to trigger asthma issues, especially in younger children. The smoke is filled with various toxins that act as irritants and cause your asthma to act up. These irritants affect everyone, regardless of illness, but the inflammations are minor in those without asthma. Since asthma is already contributing to breathing difficulties and irritations, the added irritation caused by the tobacco smoke will make matters far worse. It's an easy to understand symptom of asthma, but one that is far more important to understand than most realize since it can have a huge impact on your health and well-being.

Coping with asthma involves a wide range of different things. Using your medications properly to keep it in check, monitoring your peak flow rate regularly, checking in with your doctor as needed, and remembering your emergency asthma plans are all important. But just as important is avoidance of the major issues that can trigger an attack. Sensitivity to tobacco smoke is an important thing to remember if you want to reduce the severity and occurrence of asthma troubles. It's fairly easy to avoid it, and well worth remembering.