A woman suffering from perimenopause asthma has essentially developed asthma as a complication of perimenopause, or the period of transition leading up to menopause. It acts much like any other form of asthma, resulting in inflammation and constriction of the airways, which may make it difficult to breathe.
Symptoms
The way in which perimenopause-induced asthma manifests will vary greatly from woman to woman. However, some common symptoms many women suffer from include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and a tightness or pain isolated to the chest, according to the Mayo Clinic. Women may also suffer from periodic sleep disruptions due to these same symptoms, causing fatigue, exhaustion and trouble with concentration.
Causes
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the cause of this condition is linked to the hormonal fluctuations that normally occur during perimenopause. Both estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall during this period of time leading up to menopause, potentially resulting in poor lung function, which could increase the likelihood of asthma.
Features
Although the fluctuation in hormones is the most influential factor in the development of perimenopause-induced asthma, other elements also play a role in this condition. One of the most predominant is body mass index (BMI). Based on the study reported in the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology," women experiencing perimenopause are more likely to develop symptoms of asthma (as well as other respiratory issues) when BMI places them at lean or obesity levels.
Identification
Maintaining a BMI ranging between 23 and 28kg/m, which is considered normal to slightly overweight, may reduce a woman's chances of developing asthma induced by perimenopause.
Treatment
Because there is no real cure for asthma, only the symptoms of the condition can be treated. One of the more standard treatments is inhaled corticosteroids, which reduce the inflammation and swelling within the bronchial tubes, allowing a woman to breathe more freely. Other medical options include a bronchodilator or leukotriene modifiers, both of which help to open the airways. An oral pill form of a bronchodilator that can also relax the muscles and open the airways may also be prescribed.
For women who have a tendency to suffer asthma attacks, "short-term" forms of relief, such as albuterol or ipratropium, are also available. Albuterol and ipratropium work similarly to other bronchodilators, as they quickly relax the bronchial airways, increasing the ability to breathe freely.
