Asthma
What is asthma?
Asthma is a common condition affecting as many as one in 6 children and one in 10 adults in Australia. For many people, asthma is a serious, life-threatening problem, needing constant attention. Even those who have minor problems can sometimes develop a more severe attack, so it is important for all asthma sufferers, and parents whose children have asthma, to understand the disease and recognise its symptoms.
People with asthma have very sensitive airways (the tiny branching passages through which air passes into the lungs). These little tubes can become inflamed which makes them become narrower, making it difficult to breathe easily.
This may result in shortness of breath, wheezing (especially when breathing out) or, particularly in children, a persisting cough. The cough is usually more obvious with exercise and at night.
What causes asthma attacks?
Many things can trigger asthma attacks in susceptible people, who often have other allergic problems such as eczema and hay fever. Irritants in the air (such as tobacco smoke) and dust are common 'trigger' factors. Some foods may bring on an attack and animal fur or hairs may also be a cause. In general, asthma can be triggered by allergy, infection, cold air and exercise.
Prevention and treatment of asthma
- Prevention is particularly important for those with frequent, severe attacks. As well as trying to identify, and then avoid, trigger factors these people usually need medication on a daily basis to suppress the inflammatory reaction. Drugs such as Intal, Pulmicort and Flixotide are all common preventive treatments, usually given by inhaler or puffer. Occasionally, very severe cases will need steroid tablets to suppress attacks.
- Treating an attack once it has started usually means the use of drugs known as bronchodilators. Ventolin, Atrovent and Bricanyl are common examples of this group. Once again they are most effectively given by inhaler.
Using inhalers correctly
When drugs are given by inhaler it is very important that the affected person learns how to use the device properly. There is a certain knack in learning to activate an inhaler at the moment of taking a deep breath so that the fine particles get deep into the lungs. Even quite young children can usually master this technique, but for the very young and those who can't get the knack, spacers have revolutionised treatment. A spacer is a large plastic container. The inhaler fits into one end and is 'fired' into the spacer. At the other end is a one-way valve, allowing the user to breathe in the contents. For more severe episodes, the drugs are given by a nebuliser. This pumps air through the liquid medication to nebulise it into a mist that is breathed in via a mask.
These treatment methods now mean that most people with asthma can lead normal, active lives.
Last Reviewed: 08 February 2005
Sponsored links
