What is asthma?

Asthma is a common condition that affects your breathing from time-to-time as it narrows your airways, making it hard for your lungs to receive air. Inflammation makes the airways swell and produce extra mucus which tightens the chest and makes breathing in and out difficult.

Flare-ups, also known as ‘asthma attacks’ can last for minutes, hours, days or even weeks. It is when symptoms start up or get worse compared to usual and treatment is required. Untreated asthma can lead to hospitalisation and approximately 80% of hospital cases could have been preventable. The good news is that people can live an active and normal life if treated correctly with good management, prevention, the right advice and education.

Who is affected by asthma?

There is a high chance that you know someone living with asthma as one in every nine Australians are affected – that’s approximately 2.7 million of our population. You can acquire asthma at any stage of your life from childhood to a mature aged adult. People affected often have a family history of hay fever, eczema and asthma.

What are the symptoms?

Asthma affects everyone differently, below are the common symptoms of asthma:

• Persistent cough

• Wheezing (a high pitch whistling sound)

• Difficulties in breathing and struggling to breathe in or out

• Pain, discomfort and tightening of the chest

   

  You may find that symptoms are often worse at night, early morning or during exercise although everyone is different.

What causes asthma?

Although we are yet to know what exactly causes asthma; researchers have found that exposure to chemicals, particles and gases in the environment can increase the risk of developing this condition. These include tobacco from smoking, bushfire, traffic pollution and some workplace chemicals. Different people can be triggered by different things, you could be triggered by exercise, change in weather, hay fever, allergies, a cold or flu. Studies are still being conducted to gain further insight into this condition, treatment options and prevention.

What are the types of asthma?

1. Allergic asthma – asthma caused by an allergic reaction, also known as allergy-induced asthma. People usually start to notice symptoms after inhaling an allergen such as pollen, dust mites, tobacco smoke, air pollution, strong odours or chemical fumes.
2. Non-allergic asthma – also known as intrinsic asthma, caused by irritants such as cold air, air fresheners, perfumes and household cleaning products.
3. Occupational asthma – caused by workplace triggers such as chemicals, dust, gases, fumes, animal proteins and dyes. If you are experiencing asthma in the workplace, chat to your supervisor about your concerns and adjust if necessary, for example wear a suitable mask or respirator when working with workplace irritants. Note that the evidence to support the use of respirators is limited to specific occupations e.g. bakers, spray painters and epoxy resin manufacture workers. Improving ventilation can help.
4. Exercise-induced asthma – usually caused by physical activities and affects people within the first few minutes of starting to exercise and up to 15 minutes after physical activity. Always warm up with light exercise and stretching for 10 to 15 minutes before you play sport or exercise. Ask your Doctor if you should be using your reliever medication 5 to 10 minutes before warm up.
5. Nocturnal asthma – symptoms that worsen at night, possible cause includes dust mites, heartburn or sleep cycle.

What to do if you have asthma

• Visit your doctor, they will be able to perform a lung function test and analyse your medical history. It would be helpful to alert your doctor to any family members who have asthma themselves.

• Understand what triggers your asthma and steer clear of products, chemicals or smells that have caused you problems in the past. Triggers can be different for everyone. Take notes of when you experience asthma such as what was the activity, the time and the location.

• A written asthma plan will help you recognise when your asthma is getting worse and how you can have a better control over it. List your triggers, current medications and doses, your doctor’s location and contact details and what to do in case of an emergency. It is important to update this plan if any of your information changes. If you would prefer a digital copy, check out apps that are available online.

• Inform the people around you that you have asthma so they can respond if needed. This includes your co-workers, friends, coach, gym instructor or any person that you spend your time with. It is a good idea for you to share your asthma plan with people that are close to you.

• Visit your local Ramsay Pharmacist. If you are using a spacer or inhaler, for the product to be used correctly you need to make sure your technique is correct. Some medications can make asthma worse, ask your Doctor or Ramsay Pharmacist if you think that any of the medication you are taking may be triggering your asthma.  If you need to use your reliever more than twice a week, your Ramsay Pharmacist can help you improve your asthma control and reduce symptom frequency.

• Always call an ambulance in an emergency. The signs of an asthma emergency include finding it difficult to breathe, unable to speak easily, lips are turning blue, symptoms getting worse quickly or getting little or no relief from inhaler.

https://asthma.org.au/