Asthma: basic facts
What is asthma?
People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When they are exposed to certain triggers their airways narrow, making it hard for them to breathe.
There are two main factors that cause airways to become narrow.
- The inside lining of the airway becomes red and swollen (this is called inflammation) and extra mucus (sticky fluid) may be produced.
- The muscles around the airways tightens (this is called bronchoconstriction).
Why do people get asthma in the first place?
The causes of asthma are not really understood, but there is often a family history of asthma, eczema or hay fever. Asthma can begin at any age and change over time. Unborn babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy, and children exposed to smoke in early childhood, have a higher risk of developing childhood asthma.
What are the main symptoms of asthma?
- Coughing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Tightness in the chest.
- Wheezing—a high pitched raspy sound on breathing.
The symptoms of asthma may vary from person to person, and from time to time. Some people may have all these symptoms while other people may have only a wheeze or cough.
What triggers asthma symptoms?
Every person can have different asthma triggers. The most common are:
- colds and flu;
- exercise (this can be managed);
- inhaled allergens (e.g. pollens, moulds, animal hair and dust mites);
- cigarette smoke;
- changes in temperature and weather;
- certain drugs (e.g. aspirin and some blood pressure medications);
- chemicals and strong smells;
- some foods and food preservatives, flavourings and colourings; and
- some occupations.
In some people it can be difficult to know what triggers asthma!
Can asthma be cured?
Asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled so that you are able to carry out your daily activities without asthma symptoms. Controlling asthma involves:
- taking asthma medications as directed;
- monitoring asthma;
- staying active and healthy;
- avoiding triggers whenever possible;
- having a written asthma action plan; and
- visiting the doctor regularly.
Asthma medications
The best way of controlling your asthma is by taking medications as directed. There are 3 main types of medications.
Preventers
Inhalers: Flixotide, Intal, Intal Forte, Pulmicort and Tilade.
Tablets: Accolate and Singulair.
These medications make the airways less sensitive and keep you well. Preventers reduce the redness and swelling inside the airways and dry up mucus. They may take a few weeks to make people feel better. The medication containers are normally autumn coloured (brown, orange or yellow). Preventers usually need to be taken every day, even when you are feeling well. Do not stop taking your preventer unless advised by your doctor. During a severe attack of asthma when there is little response to reliever medication, your doctor may prescribe a short course (2-14 days) of prednisone/prednisolone tablets or syrup to make you well quickly.
Relievers
Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl, Respolin and Ventolin.
These medicines provide relief from asthma symptoms (coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath) within minutes. Relievers relax the muscle around the airways, making the airways wider and breathing easier. Atrovent is a different type of reliever which is sometimes used with one of the relievers above. If you need to use your reliever more than 3-4 times a week to ease asthma symptoms (other than before exercise), it may be a sign that your asthma is not well controlled – it is important to check with your doctor.
Symptom Controllers
Foradile, Oxis and Serevent.
Symptom controllers (also called long-acting relievers) also help to relax the muscles around the airways for up to 12 hours. Symptom controllers should not be used in an asthma attack. They should be used only by people taking regular inhaled corticosteroid preventers e.g. Flixotide or Pulmicort.
Monitoring your asthma
Blowing into a peak flow meter is a good way to check on asthma. It will indicate whether the airways are wide open or narrow. Children under the age of 7 years may find this hard to do. Parents of young children and other people without a peak flow meter can monitor asthma by keeping a diary of asthma symptoms.
Exercising or being active
Exercise helps in keeping fit and healthy and will help people to cope better with their asthma. If exercise triggers asthma, ask your doctor for advice about management.
Avoiding triggers
Try to avoid triggers. Some triggers cannot be avoided, such as changes in the weather and colds or flu. Ask your doctor for a plan to help in these situations. Exercise should not be avoided.
Having an asthma action plan
Ask your doctor for a written asthma action plan. This will outline:
- how to recognise worsening asthma;
- what do when this happens; and
- how and when to get medical help quickly.
Controlling asthma
To make you stay at your best, you should visit your doctor regularly (even when well). The doctor should review your asthma action plan at each visit. Remember, you should feel in control of your asthma.
Recognising an asthma attack
An asthma attack can take anything from a few minutes to a few days to develop. During an asthma attack, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness can quickly worsen.
Signs of a severe asthma attack include:
- shortness of breath;
- rapid breathing;
- severe chest tightness;
- being unable to speak more than one or 2 words per breath;
- distress or feeling frightened;
- little or no improvement after using reliever medication (Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl, Respolin or Ventolin);
- 'sucking in' throat and ribs; and
- blue colour around the lips.
During an asthma attack, young children may appear restless, unable to settle and may have problems eating due to shortness of breath. They may also have severe coughing and vomiting.
If you (or anyone in your care) has any of the above signs, call an ambulance (dial 000) straight away and follow the 4-step asthma emergency management plan.
4 Step Asthma Emergency Management Plan
- Sit the person upright and give reassurance.
- Without delay give 4 separate inhalations of a reliever (e.g. Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl, Respolin or Ventolin). The medication is best given one inhalation at a time via a spacer device. Ask the person to take 4 breaths from the spacer after each inhalation of medication. Wait 4 minutes.
- If there is little or no improvement, repeat steps 2 and 3.
- If there is still little or no improvement, call an ambulance immediately (dial 000). Continuously repeat steps 2 and 3 while waiting for the ambulance.
For more information call Asthma NSW on 1800 645 130.
Last Reviewed: 16 April 2003
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