Asthma is a common airways disease affecting one in nine to ten Australians.
Asthma causes the muscles in the airways to tighten and the lining of the airway becomes swollen and inflamed, producing sticky mucous; making it difficult to breathe.
Asthma can be triggered by a range of factors such as pollen, house dust mites, cigarette smoke, exercise or associated with a cold. It is often associated with other allergic conditions like hay fever and eczema.
Symptoms of asthma:
Asthma tends to run in families. Asthma affects everyone differently, typical asthma symptoms include:
wheezing – a whistling noise when breathing
shortness of breath
a tight feeling in the chest
coughing
These symptoms are often worse at night, in the early morning or during exercise.
Some common triggers are:
allergy triggers such as house dust mites, pollens, pets and moulds
cigarette smoke
viral infections – for example, colds and flu
cold air or changes in the weather
work-related triggers – for example, wood dust, chemicals, metal salts
some medication
In addition, asthma can also be triggered by an uncommon combination of high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm. This is known as epidemic thunderstorm asthma. These events are uncommon but can happen in south-east Australia during the grass pollen season.
Treatment for asthma
Asthma can be well controlled with the appropriate medication in almost all people. The main types of asthma medication are:
relievers act quickly to relax the muscles around the airways. Relievers are used during an asthma attack
preventers slowly make the airways less sensitive to triggers and reduce inflammation inside the airways. Preventers are taken daily to help keep you well
combination therapies that are preventers containing two different medicines
Management of asthma
Your doctor will prescribe the correct medication and explain how to use it. For good asthma management, it is important that you:
See your doctor for regular check-ups
Understand what triggers your asthma
Avoid or reduce your exposure to these triggers
Use your medications as instructed
Make sure you are using your inhaler (puffer) correctly, including using a spacer where required
Follow your written Asthma Action Plan
An Asthma Action Plan helps you remember your medicines, helps recognise worsening asthma, and tells you what to do in response.
If your child has asthma, give copies of the action plan to the school and to anyone else who regularly looks after your child.
What to do during an asthma attack
An asthma attack can come on gradually or quite quickly. The symptoms to look out for include:
increasing wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing
needing to use a reliever again within three hours of last taking it
waking often at night with asthma symptoms
An asthma attack can become life threatening if not treated properly.
If someone is getting an asthma attack, follow the instructions in their Asthma Action Plan. If they don’t have an action plan or you aren’t sure what to do, follow the four steps of asthma first aid.
Always call an ambulance in an asthma emergency
Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Tell the operator that someone is having an asthma attack. The signs of an asthma emergency include when the person:
finds it very difficult to breathe
is unable to speak comfortably or if their lips are turning blue
has symptoms that get worse very quickly
is getting little or no relief from their reliever inhaler
While waiting for the ambulance, continue to follow the four steps of asthma first aid and give four puffs of reliever medication every four minutes.
