Asthma Foundation of SA

Asthma

What is asthma?

As we breathe, air moves in and out of the lungs through branching airways. People with asthma have sensitive airways. When they are exposed to certain triggers (e.g. cigarette smoke, pollen, dust), their airways narrow making it hard for them to breathe.

Three main factors cause the airways to become narrow:

The muscle around the airway tightens (bronchoconstriction)
The inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflammation)
Extra mucus (sticky fluid) may be produced

What causes Asthma?

The causes of asthma are not fully understood but there is often a family history of asthma, eczema or hayfever. Asthma can occur for the first time at any age. There is also evidence that exposure to certain factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy and early childhood, increases the risk of developing asthma.

Symptoms

The presence of one or more of the following symptoms may be suggestive of asthma:

Shortness of breath
Wheezing- a high pitched raspy sound on breathing
Tightness in the chest
A dry irritating persistent cough particularly at night, early morning or with exercise

These symptoms vary from person to person and from time to time within the same person. Some people have all the symptoms, while some may only have a cough or wheeze.

What triggers asthma symptoms?

Every person�s asthma is different, not all people have the same triggers nor will they react to all those in the list below. You may not always know what triggers your asthma, but it is helpful to identify the cause in order to avoid it.

Colds and Flu
Cigarette smoke
Exercise
Inhaled allergens e.g. pollens, moulds, animal hair and dust mite
Changes in temperature and weather
Chemicals and strong smells e.g. perfumes, cleaning agents
Some foods and food preservatives, flavourings and colourings
Certain medications (e.g. aspirin)

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Getting your asthma under control means that you are able to lead an active healthy lifestyle. Poor control of asthma is indicated by:

Using your blue reliever medication more than 3 times per week
Waking at night with asthma symptoms more than one night per week
Any restriction on your physical activity because of asthma symptoms

Controlling your asthma may involve the following:

Taking asthma medications
Monitoring your asthma
Exercising or being active
Avoiding triggers
Having an Asthma Action Plan
Visiting your doctor regularly

Tips for Managing your Asthma

Learn about Asthma

Understand the pattern of your asthma and when it gets worse. You can learn about your asthma by keeping a diary of symptoms or monitoring Peak Flow Measurements using a Peak Flow Meter. The Asthma Foundation of SA regularly holds information sessions open to anyone who wants to learn more.

Identify and avoid triggers

Find out which substances, odors or irritant set off your asthma symptoms and try to avoid them.

Make the most out of your asthma medications

Asthma medications work in different ways to control the inflammation in your airways or relieve the symptoms of asthma. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or the Asthma Foundation of SA for more information.

Know your Asthma Action Plan

An Asthma Action Plan helps you to recognise when asthma is getting worse and tells you what to do when this happens. The plan may need to be changed from time to time if you or your child's asthma changes.

An action plan should provide the following information

How to manage your asthma on a day-to-day basis
How to recognise when your asthma is getting worse
What to do when this happens
How to get medical help quickly
You need to have your action plan reviewed, following an acute attack
Giving up smoking

Have your asthma reviewed regularly by a doctor

Asthma is a condition that changes all the time. By visiting your doctor on a regular basis, even when you are well, will ensure that you stay at your best and keep on top of your asthma. The Asthma Cycle of Care has been developed to assist you and your GP to update and review your asthma management. It includes an assessment of asthma severity and lung function, development of a written Asthma Action Plan and review of medications. And remember, you play a major role in managing your asthma.

Smoking

Smoking has been linked to many diseases such as asthma, emphysema and heart disease. It is well known that cigarette smoke can not only trigger an asthma attack but it also damages the lungs.

Research also shows that if women smoke or are exposed to cigarette smoke when they are pregnant, there is a higher chance that the baby will have asthma when it is born.

As asthma is a disease that affects the lungs causing them to be more sensitive to triggers in the environment, cigarette smoke further insults the small airways in the lungs causing them to twitch, and spasm - this in effect is an asthma attack.

Breathing in cigarette smoke can cause an asthma attack immediately or some time later. Cigarette smoke is classified as one of the major triggers for bringing on an asthma attack.

Giving up smoking is not an easy thing to do. However if you smoke and have asthma it will be one of the best things you can do for your lungs. There is lots of support from Quit and Asthma SA is also available to help you.