What is asthma?
Maybe you or a member of your family have just been diagnosed with asthma or maybe you have been dealing with it for years.
Asthma is a disease of the airways – which are the breathing tubes that carry air into our lungs. Sometimes it is harder for a person with asthma to breathe in and out, but at other times their breathing is normal.
It is important to understand that asthma is a long-term (chronic) disease. and although there is currently no cure, with the right knowledge and good management, most people with asthma can lead full and active lives.
Who develops asthma?
- Over 2.5 million Australians have asthma – about 1 in 10 adults and about 1 in 9 or 10 children.
- Asthma and allergies are closely linked. Asthma is more common in families with allergies or asthma, but not everyone with asthma has allergies.
- Adults of any age can develop asthma, even if they did not have asthma as a child.
- Some people have asthma during childhood, but later have very few or no symptoms as adults.
- Many preschool children who wheeze do not have asthma by primary school age.
- Indoor and outdoor pollution (including moulds, gases, chemicals, particles and cigarette smoke) can increase the risk of developing asthma.
- Athletes can develop asthma after very intensive training over several years, especially while breathing air that is polluted, cold or dry.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of asthma are:
- wheezing – a continuous, high-pitched sound coming from the chest while breathing
- shortness of breath – a feeling of not being able to get enough air
- a feeling of tightness in the chest
- coughing – alongside other symptoms.
You do not need to have all of these symptoms to be diagnosed with asthma.
Noisy breathing, such as a rattling sound, is common in healthy babies and pre-schoolers. This is not the same as wheezing and does not mean the child has asthma, and if you have any doubts or concerns please contact the Madison Medical Practice team for reassurance.
What causes asthma symptoms?
Many people think they have asthma only when they have asthma symptoms. In fact, the airways are sensitive all the time and most people with asthma have permanently irritated (inflamed) airways when not taking regular preventer treatment. From time to time, the airways tighten or become constricted so there is less space to breathe through, leading to asthma symptoms.
Asthma causes three main changes to the airways inside the lungs, and all these can happen together:
- the thin layer of muscle within the wall of an airway can contract to make it tighter and narrower – reliever medicines work by relaxing these muscles in the airways
- the inside walls of the airways can become swollen, leaving less space inside – preventer medicines work by reducing the inflammation that causes the swelling
- mucus can block the inside of the airways – preventer medicines also reduce mucus.
- Asthma symptoms can be triggered by different things for different people. Common triggers include colds and flu, allergies, and cigarette smoke.
What is an asthma flare up?
An asthma flare-up is when asthma symptoms start up or get worse compared to usual. The symptoms won’t go away by themselves and need treatment.
These flare-ups can happen quite quickly (e.g. if you are exposed to smoke) but they can also come on gradually over hours or days (e.g. if you get a cold).
The term ‘asthma attack’ is confusing because it means different things to different people – from a bout of wheezing after running for the bus through to being admitted to hospital for asthma.
An asthma flare-up can become serious if not treated properly, even in someone whose asthma is usually mild or well controlled.
A severe flare-up needs urgent treatment by a doctor or hospital emergency department, so if an event arises please dial 000.
Related Resources
Asthma action plans
A written asthma action plan will help you recognise worsening asthma and tell you what to do in response.
Follow a written asthma action plan for:
- Better controlled asthma
- Fewer asthma attacks
- Fewer days off work or school
- Reduced reliever medication use
- Fewer hospital visits.
The process of developing an asthma action plan with your doctor is important. This should be a discussion of your individual circumstances, asthma patterns and triggers, and current management. Your personal written asthma action plan is a reminder of that discussion.
Written asthma action plans are one of the most effective asthma management tools available. If you or someone you are responsible for has asthma, ask about developing an asthma action plan.
If you require an action plan please contact our friendly reception staff to arrange a time with one of our doctors.
The Madison Medical Practice would like to thank and acknowledge the National Asthma Council of Australia for providing this information, and if you require any further information about asthma please visit their website https://www.nationalasthma.org.au or speak to The Madison Medical Practice teams at either Hornsby or St Ives.