Every year in the UK, up to 3,000 people develop
asthma because they are exposed to dangerous substances at work.
This is called occupational asthma.
750,000 people with asthma find that things
at work make their asthma worse.
In Ireland 80 to 100 people die from Asthma each year.
This section aims to help you understand what can cause asthma at
work, what you can do to prevent it, and what you can expect your
employer to do to help.
Occupational asthma - some substances at work can actually cause asthma.
This section includes information on occupational asthma, its causes, how to prevent it,
what employers need to do, how it is diagnosed and where you can go for more help.
People with asthma at work - offers advice about careers and avoiding triggers at
work for people who already have asthma.
The Workplace Charter is a list of recommendations to reduce the impact of asthma
in the workplace. .
Q . What is Occupational Asthma
Some substances that you might come across at work can actually cause asthma.
The condition can take weeks, months or even years to develop, depending on the person
and the substance.
If you think your asthma has been caused by something at work, look out for these clues:
* your asthma symptoms are worse during the working week, at work or after work
* your symptoms may get worse after work, or you may find your sleep is disturbed
during the night
* your symptoms improve when you have been away from work for several days
(for example when you are on holiday)
Q . Which substances cause
Occupational Asthma ?
Substances that can cause asthma are called respiratory sensitisers. Below is a list
of some of the main ones and the jobs where you are most likely to come across them.
* Chemicals called isocyanates are the most common cause of occupational asthma in the UK. There are many jobs in which you might be exposed to these chemicals, particularly spray painting, foam moulding using adhesives, and making foundry cores and surface coatings.
* Dust from flour and grain (pictured). Industrial baking, farm work and grain transport
* Wood dust, particularly from hard wood dusts and western red cedar. Carpentry, joinery
and sawmilling.
* Colophony – this is widely present in soldering fumes but also in glues and some floor
cleaners. Electronics industry
* Dust from latex rubber. Any job involving latex gloves, such as nursing or dentistry
* Dust from insects and animals, and from products containing them. Laboratory work, farm work or work with shellfish
There are over 200 other respiratory sensitisers and more are being identified all the time.
The Health & Safety Authority (HSA) publishes a list of the best known offenders.
The list is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly.
Q . How can I prevent Occupational Asthma ?
You can prevent occupational asthma by avoiding exposure to respiratory sensitisers. To achieve this you should follow these steps:
* try to get any respiratory sensitisers in your workplace removed or replaced with a safe alternative
* if this isn't possible, your employer can reduce the risk by installing extractor fans or
isolating you from the process that produces the risk – by putting dangerous chemicals in
a fume cupboard, for example. These steps can reduce the respiratory sensitisers you
breathe in
* if the above steps aren't possible, you should wear breathing equipment to stop you
inhaling the respiratory sensitiser.
Often a combination of all these steps will be needed.
Q . What can my employer do to help ?
Your employer has a legal duty to deal with respiratory sensitisers in the workplace.
This is set out in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994. Your employer should carry out a risk assessment and inform you if respiratory sensitisers are present. You should also be told how to recognise early signs of occupational asthma.
If you are working with respiratory sensitisers, it is often necessary to have regular
medical checks so the condition can be spotted early.
Your employer should consult you (either directly or through your union or employee representative) about the need to control respiratory sensitisers and triggers and the
steps they plan to take to do this.
Most employers will do what they can to help. If you don't think that they are doing
enough you can:
* raise the issue with the person responsible for health and safety in your workplace
* tell your manager about your concerns
* contact the local HSE office (or the local council environmental health department)
for advice on what to do next
Your colleagues also have a legal duty not to do things that endanger your health
(such as smoking near you). Remember that having a legal right doesn't always
mean you can enforce it. Be tactful and choose the right moment to raise the issue.
Q . What if I think I have Occupational Asthma ?
First of all, see your doctor straight away. If they suspect that you do have occupational
asthma, they should refer you to a specialist. If occupational asthma is confirmed,
your doctor should, with your consent, advise your employer to relocate you away
from the respiratory sensitiser.
Diagnosis of occupational asthma does not always mean you have to leave your job.
Talk to your employer and health and safety representative about other options
available to you. However, if you feel leaving work is the only option, you should
make a claim for compensation.
Q . How is occupational asthma diagnosed ?
Occupational asthma may be diagnosed:
* if your asthma is worse during the working week, though not necessarily at
work itself or your symptoms get worse after work, or you find your sleep is
disturbed during the night
* Your symptoms may improve when you have been away from work for
several days or on holiday
* If occupational asthma is suspected, you should be referred to a specialist.
Q . Can I get compensation if I develop occupational asthma ?
If you develop asthma because of your work you should:
* tell your GP that you think the asthma was caused by your work
* tell your manager or safety officer and ask to record it in the workplace accident book
* tell your union representative. If you belong to a union they may be able to get you compensation if your employer is at fault
* make a claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit from the Benefits Agency.
The Benefits Agency pays between ?20 and ?100 a week to people who have asthma
that has been caused by certain respiratory sensitisers. There is a list of these in the
relevant Benefits Agency booklet (NI 237). If your respiratory sensitiser isn't on the
list, you can still claim as long as it is a 'known sensitiser'. A complete list of known
respiratory sensitisers is available from the HSE.
It is important to claim your benefit as soon as possible. Payments will probably only
start from the day you claim, not the day that you found out you had asthma. If you
want to take legal action against your employer, your lawyer must act within three
years of diagnosis.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights rese
http://www.friendsofasthma.com
Monday, March 17, 2008
Pregnancy FAQs
Pregnancy FAQs
So many hormonal changes take place during pregnancy, that it is hardly surprising many women report changes in their asthma too. Here we answer some of your questions around pregnancy and nursing your baby, including labour, smoking,
diet, breast-feeding and asthma treatments.
Q . Will my asthma get worse during pregnancy?
A . Like pregnancy itself, asthma varies enormously from woman to woman. Around one third of women find their asthma symptoms improve in pregnancy, one third stay the same and one third find their asthma gets worse. If your asthma gets worse, you may need to increase your asthma medicines. .
Q . Can my asthma treatment harm my baby ?
A . No. Your baby will do best if you are breathing well and easily, so it is important that your asthma is well controlled.
Most asthma medicines are inhaled. These are entirely safe for your baby.
Q . Can I smoke during pregnancy?
A . If you want to give your baby the best start in life, neither you or your partner should smoke.
Women who smoke during pregnancy:
* Are more likely to have babies who have breathing problems, including asthma
* Are more likely to have a miscarriage
* Are more likely to go into premature labour
* Are more likely to have babies who are under weight
Q . Should I change my diet ?
A . During pregnancy it is important to have a healthy, balanced diet with plenty
of fruit and vegetables. This will help make sure that your baby gets all the nutrition
they need.
* There is no convincing evidence that avoiding any foods during pregnancy will help prevent your baby from developing asthma
* There is some research that suggests that allergy to peanuts may develop in the womb. Current government advice is that if anyone in the immediate family has an allergic condition such as asthma, hay fever and eczema, the mother should avoid eating peanuts and food containing peanut products during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.
Q . What if I have an asthma attack when
I am in labour ?
A . It is unusual for asthma to cause problems in labour. When you are in labour your body produces extra natural steroid hormones (cortisone and adrenaline), which help to prevent asthma attacks.
* If you do find yourself getting asthma symptoms during labour, use your reliever inhaler as normal. It will not harm the baby in any way
* Talk to your doctor or midwife beforehand about drawing up a birth plan. This will take your asthma into account and can help to reduce any fears you may have about giving birth
Q . What about other complications
during labour ?
A .There are a number of different ways to control pain during labour, including epidurals, all of which are safe for women with asthma. If you need to have an operation, it will not cause problems providing the anaesthetist knows that you have asthma.
Q .Should I be breast feeding my baby ?
A . Some, but not all, studies have shown that breast-feeding in the first few months of life may reduce the chance of your baby developing allergic conditions, including asthma. Breast-feeding also reduces the risk of babies developing intestinal illnesses and other infections.
Q .Will my asthma treatment interfere
with breast-feeding ?
A . Your inhaled asthma medicines will not affect your baby when you breast-feed. Usual doses of inhaled medicines do not enter the bloodstream, so they won't be found in breast milk.
The medicine in steroid tablets can sometimes be present in very small quantities in breast milk. However, there is too little to have any harmful effect on your baby
Medicines prescribed for asthma do not affect your ability to produce breast milk
Q .What if I don't breast-feed ?
A .If you decide to bottle-feed your baby you should talk to your doctor or practice nurse about the best milk formula to use.
Q .What food should I give my baby ?
A . Department of Health guidelines suggest that the possibility of developing food allergy is less likely if certain foods are introduced into a baby's diet later rather than sooner. The guidelines suggest that babies should be breast-fed or bottle-fed until they are at least four months old, and that other foods should be introduced as follows:
* At 4-6 months: vegetables, fruit other than citrus fruit, rice, meat, chicken and pulses (eg lentils)
* At 6-12 months: foods containing wheat (eg pasta, bread, biscuits), fish, eggs, yoghurt, cheese and citrus fruit
* Over 12 months: ordinary cows' milk
If members of the family have allergies, peanuts and foods containing peanuts should ideally not be included in the diet until a child is three years old.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights reserved.
So many hormonal changes take place during pregnancy, that it is hardly surprising many women report changes in their asthma too. Here we answer some of your questions around pregnancy and nursing your baby, including labour, smoking,
diet, breast-feeding and asthma treatments.
Q . Will my asthma get worse during pregnancy?
A . Like pregnancy itself, asthma varies enormously from woman to woman. Around one third of women find their asthma symptoms improve in pregnancy, one third stay the same and one third find their asthma gets worse. If your asthma gets worse, you may need to increase your asthma medicines. .
Q . Can my asthma treatment harm my baby ?
A . No. Your baby will do best if you are breathing well and easily, so it is important that your asthma is well controlled.
Most asthma medicines are inhaled. These are entirely safe for your baby.
Q . Can I smoke during pregnancy?
A . If you want to give your baby the best start in life, neither you or your partner should smoke.
Women who smoke during pregnancy:
* Are more likely to have babies who have breathing problems, including asthma
* Are more likely to have a miscarriage
* Are more likely to go into premature labour
* Are more likely to have babies who are under weight
Q . Should I change my diet ?
A . During pregnancy it is important to have a healthy, balanced diet with plenty
of fruit and vegetables. This will help make sure that your baby gets all the nutrition
they need.
* There is no convincing evidence that avoiding any foods during pregnancy will help prevent your baby from developing asthma
* There is some research that suggests that allergy to peanuts may develop in the womb. Current government advice is that if anyone in the immediate family has an allergic condition such as asthma, hay fever and eczema, the mother should avoid eating peanuts and food containing peanut products during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.
Q . What if I have an asthma attack when
I am in labour ?
A . It is unusual for asthma to cause problems in labour. When you are in labour your body produces extra natural steroid hormones (cortisone and adrenaline), which help to prevent asthma attacks.
* If you do find yourself getting asthma symptoms during labour, use your reliever inhaler as normal. It will not harm the baby in any way
* Talk to your doctor or midwife beforehand about drawing up a birth plan. This will take your asthma into account and can help to reduce any fears you may have about giving birth
Q . What about other complications
during labour ?
A .There are a number of different ways to control pain during labour, including epidurals, all of which are safe for women with asthma. If you need to have an operation, it will not cause problems providing the anaesthetist knows that you have asthma.
Q .Should I be breast feeding my baby ?
A . Some, but not all, studies have shown that breast-feeding in the first few months of life may reduce the chance of your baby developing allergic conditions, including asthma. Breast-feeding also reduces the risk of babies developing intestinal illnesses and other infections.
Q .Will my asthma treatment interfere
with breast-feeding ?
A . Your inhaled asthma medicines will not affect your baby when you breast-feed. Usual doses of inhaled medicines do not enter the bloodstream, so they won't be found in breast milk.
The medicine in steroid tablets can sometimes be present in very small quantities in breast milk. However, there is too little to have any harmful effect on your baby
Medicines prescribed for asthma do not affect your ability to produce breast milk
Q .What if I don't breast-feed ?
A .If you decide to bottle-feed your baby you should talk to your doctor or practice nurse about the best milk formula to use.
Q .What food should I give my baby ?
A . Department of Health guidelines suggest that the possibility of developing food allergy is less likely if certain foods are introduced into a baby's diet later rather than sooner. The guidelines suggest that babies should be breast-fed or bottle-fed until they are at least four months old, and that other foods should be introduced as follows:
* At 4-6 months: vegetables, fruit other than citrus fruit, rice, meat, chicken and pulses (eg lentils)
* At 6-12 months: foods containing wheat (eg pasta, bread, biscuits), fish, eggs, yoghurt, cheese and citrus fruit
* Over 12 months: ordinary cows' milk
If members of the family have allergies, peanuts and foods containing peanuts should ideally not be included in the diet until a child is three years old.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights reserved.
Asthma & women
Asthma & women
As a woman your body will go through changes that can affect your asthma. Here we answer questions about puberty, menstruation, the pill, menopause, osteoporosis and HRT.
Puberty
Hormonal changes can affect asthma in adolescent girls. Some girls find their asthma is worse around the time their periods start for the first time. However, other factors such as the pressures of starting a new school and emotional stress need to be taken into account as well.
Their symptoms usually settle down once their menstrual cycle becomes established. However, some women continue to find that their asthma gets worse before their period.
Menstrual cycle
Could my periods affect my asthma?
If you have noticed that your asthma is harder to control at certain times of the month, you are not alone. Studies have shown that around one third of women think their symptoms are worse just before or during menstruation. This link seems to be stronger in women with severe asthma.
What can I do?
* Keep a peak flow diary to help you see if your periods are affecting your asthma.
* If, over a few months, you notice your asthma consistently gets worse before your period, go to see your doctor or asthma nurse. They may advise you take extra preventer medicine during the week before your period.
* Some women who experience very severe asthma attacks before their period may benefit from progesterone hormone therapy given either as a tablet or by injection. Your doctor or asthma nurse will be able to advise if this is appropriate for you.
* Aspirin and other medicines (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets, eg Nurofen, ibuprofen and Ponstan) used for period pain may induce an asthma attack in a small number of people. Paracetemol is usually safe. If you take regular medicines for period pain check with your doctor or asthma nurse.
Will taking the pill affect my asthma
No. Your asthma treatment is just as effective when you are taking the pill. As with all women taking the pill, it is best if you do not smoke and have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural process. It marks the point at which the balance of hormones in a woman's body changes. You may find that, as at other times of hormonal fluctuation, your asthma becomes troublesome. It is important to keep an eye on your asthma at such times and discuss any problems you have with your doctor or asthma nurse specialist.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis – or brittle bones – is one of the major health concerns for older women. This bone-thinning disease affects one in three women after they reach the menopause.
However, for some women with asthma, the chances of suffering from osteoporosis are slightly higher than average. Studies have shown that taking steroid tablets continually or high doses of inhaled steroids (preventer inhalers) for a number of years may increase the risk of osteoporosis.
How can I prevent osteoporosis?
Here are steps you can take to make sure your bones stay healthy:
* Make sure your diet contains plenty of calcium-rich foods such as yoghurts, cheese, bread and milk. Other foods containing calcium include tinned fish with bones, tofu and green leafy vegetables.
* Take regular weight-bearing exercise at least three times a week, such as walking, dancing, light weight-training or running.
* Stop smoking. Smoking can bring on a premature menopause. Smokers are also more at risk of fractures as their bone mineral density is lower than non-smokers.
* Drink only moderate amounts of alcohol
You can reduce this risk of side effects from the steroids in preventer medicines by:
* Using a spacer to take your preventer.
* Rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth after taking your steroid inhaler
Will the steroids I take for my asthma make me put on weight?
Steroid treatment is an essential part of asthma management. For most people, a regular dose of a steroid inhaler is all that is needed to keep their asthma under control. This contains a very low dose of steroid and it won't make you put on weight.
Steroid tablets are sometimes prescribed if your asthma gets more severe. They contain a higher dose of steroid than your inhaler. Steroid tablets themselves won't make you put on weight. However, they can make you feel hungry and, of course, if you eat more than usual you'll start to put on the pounds. Stick to your usual eating habits, take regular exercise, and you should be fine.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights res
As a woman your body will go through changes that can affect your asthma. Here we answer questions about puberty, menstruation, the pill, menopause, osteoporosis and HRT.
Puberty
Hormonal changes can affect asthma in adolescent girls. Some girls find their asthma is worse around the time their periods start for the first time. However, other factors such as the pressures of starting a new school and emotional stress need to be taken into account as well.
Their symptoms usually settle down once their menstrual cycle becomes established. However, some women continue to find that their asthma gets worse before their period.
Menstrual cycle
Could my periods affect my asthma?
If you have noticed that your asthma is harder to control at certain times of the month, you are not alone. Studies have shown that around one third of women think their symptoms are worse just before or during menstruation. This link seems to be stronger in women with severe asthma.
What can I do?
* Keep a peak flow diary to help you see if your periods are affecting your asthma.
* If, over a few months, you notice your asthma consistently gets worse before your period, go to see your doctor or asthma nurse. They may advise you take extra preventer medicine during the week before your period.
* Some women who experience very severe asthma attacks before their period may benefit from progesterone hormone therapy given either as a tablet or by injection. Your doctor or asthma nurse will be able to advise if this is appropriate for you.
* Aspirin and other medicines (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets, eg Nurofen, ibuprofen and Ponstan) used for period pain may induce an asthma attack in a small number of people. Paracetemol is usually safe. If you take regular medicines for period pain check with your doctor or asthma nurse.
Will taking the pill affect my asthma
No. Your asthma treatment is just as effective when you are taking the pill. As with all women taking the pill, it is best if you do not smoke and have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural process. It marks the point at which the balance of hormones in a woman's body changes. You may find that, as at other times of hormonal fluctuation, your asthma becomes troublesome. It is important to keep an eye on your asthma at such times and discuss any problems you have with your doctor or asthma nurse specialist.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis – or brittle bones – is one of the major health concerns for older women. This bone-thinning disease affects one in three women after they reach the menopause.
However, for some women with asthma, the chances of suffering from osteoporosis are slightly higher than average. Studies have shown that taking steroid tablets continually or high doses of inhaled steroids (preventer inhalers) for a number of years may increase the risk of osteoporosis.
How can I prevent osteoporosis?
Here are steps you can take to make sure your bones stay healthy:
* Make sure your diet contains plenty of calcium-rich foods such as yoghurts, cheese, bread and milk. Other foods containing calcium include tinned fish with bones, tofu and green leafy vegetables.
* Take regular weight-bearing exercise at least three times a week, such as walking, dancing, light weight-training or running.
* Stop smoking. Smoking can bring on a premature menopause. Smokers are also more at risk of fractures as their bone mineral density is lower than non-smokers.
* Drink only moderate amounts of alcohol
You can reduce this risk of side effects from the steroids in preventer medicines by:
* Using a spacer to take your preventer.
* Rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth after taking your steroid inhaler
Will the steroids I take for my asthma make me put on weight?
Steroid treatment is an essential part of asthma management. For most people, a regular dose of a steroid inhaler is all that is needed to keep their asthma under control. This contains a very low dose of steroid and it won't make you put on weight.
Steroid tablets are sometimes prescribed if your asthma gets more severe. They contain a higher dose of steroid than your inhaler. Steroid tablets themselves won't make you put on weight. However, they can make you feel hungry and, of course, if you eat more than usual you'll start to put on the pounds. Stick to your usual eating habits, take regular exercise, and you should be fine.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights res
For parents: your child has asthma
For parents: your child has asthma
So, your child has asthma?
You're not alone .
But don't worry.
With a little help there's no reason why your child can't take control of their symptoms and continue to lead a full and active life.
In this section you can find out more about medicines and treatments, how to manage your child's symptoms - and lots more.
The rest of this website provides further information about triggers, tools to help you and your child, healthy lifestyles that can be beneficial for people with asthma .
Asthma and your child
Diagnosing asthma
Diagnosing asthma in very young children can be difficult because:
* At least one child in seven will have 'wheezing' at some point during their first five years. Many of these children will not go on to have asthma in later childhood, so your doctor may not want to use the term 'asthma' at this stage.
* It is not easy to measure how well a young child's lungs are working. A peak flow meter is used for older children, but is unsuitable and unreliable for younger children (usually those under the age of six).
The pattern of symptoms that develops over time shows whether a child has asthma. Your doctor may ask you to keep a record of your child's symptoms and when they happen. This will help the doctor get to the bottom of your child's breathing problems
Children under two.
* If your child is under the age of two, it is even more difficult to tell if they have asthma. There are a number of different wheezing illnesses, including acute bronchiolitis, 'wheezy bronchitis', as well as asthma, which can make your baby wheezy.
Will my child grow out of asthma?
Some children with asthma lose their symptoms by the time they are adults and others may find that their symptoms become milder. However recent research has shown that the underlying condition does not go away and it is possible that symptoms may return in later life.
Teenagers
Throughout childhood, asthma is generally more common in boys than in girls. This trend reverses during puberty when more girls develop asthma for the first time. By the age of 18 years, asthma is more common in girls than boys.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights reserve
So, your child has asthma?
You're not alone .
But don't worry.
With a little help there's no reason why your child can't take control of their symptoms and continue to lead a full and active life.
In this section you can find out more about medicines and treatments, how to manage your child's symptoms - and lots more.
The rest of this website provides further information about triggers, tools to help you and your child, healthy lifestyles that can be beneficial for people with asthma .
Asthma and your child
Diagnosing asthma
Diagnosing asthma in very young children can be difficult because:
* At least one child in seven will have 'wheezing' at some point during their first five years. Many of these children will not go on to have asthma in later childhood, so your doctor may not want to use the term 'asthma' at this stage.
* It is not easy to measure how well a young child's lungs are working. A peak flow meter is used for older children, but is unsuitable and unreliable for younger children (usually those under the age of six).
The pattern of symptoms that develops over time shows whether a child has asthma. Your doctor may ask you to keep a record of your child's symptoms and when they happen. This will help the doctor get to the bottom of your child's breathing problems
Children under two.
* If your child is under the age of two, it is even more difficult to tell if they have asthma. There are a number of different wheezing illnesses, including acute bronchiolitis, 'wheezy bronchitis', as well as asthma, which can make your baby wheezy.
Will my child grow out of asthma?
Some children with asthma lose their symptoms by the time they are adults and others may find that their symptoms become milder. However recent research has shown that the underlying condition does not go away and it is possible that symptoms may return in later life.
Teenagers
Throughout childhood, asthma is generally more common in boys than in girls. This trend reverses during puberty when more girls develop asthma for the first time. By the age of 18 years, asthma is more common in girls than boys.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights reserve
What to do in an Asthma Attack
What to do in an asthma attack
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are about taking your asthma medicines and avoiding your triggers, you may find that you have an asthma attack.
Recommended steps
The following guidelines are suitable for both children and adults and are the recommended steps to follow in an asthma attack
1. Take your reliever inhaler (usually blue), immediately
2. Sit down and ensure that any tight clothing is loosened. Do not lie down
3. If no immediate improvement during an attack, continue to take one puff of your reliever inhaler every minute for five minutes or until symptoms improve
4. If your symptoms do not improve in five minutes – or you are in doubt – call 999 or a doctor urgently
5. Continue to take one puff of your reliever inhaler every minute until help arrives
You are having an asthma attack if any of the following happen:
* Your reliever does not help symptoms
* Your symptoms are getting worse (cough, breathlessness, wheeze or tight chest)
* You are too breathless to speak, eat or sleep
Do not be afraid of causing a fuss, even at night. If you are admitted to hospital or an accident and emergency department because of your asthma, take details of your medicines with you.
After an emergency asthma attack:
* Make an appointment with your doctor or asthma nurse for an asthma review, within 48 hours of your attack
* You will also need another review within one or two weeks after your asthma attack to make sure your symptoms are better controlled
Do not ignore worsening symptoms
Most people find that asthma attacks are the result of gradual worsening of symptoms over a few days.
If your asthma symptoms are getting worse do not ignore them! Follow your personal asthma action plan. If symptoms continue to get worse make an urgent appointment to see your doctor or asthma nurse. Quite often, using your reliever is all that is needed to relieve your asthma symptoms when you start to have an asthma attack. At other times, symptoms are more severe and more urgent action is needed.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights reserved.
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are about taking your asthma medicines and avoiding your triggers, you may find that you have an asthma attack.
Recommended steps
The following guidelines are suitable for both children and adults and are the recommended steps to follow in an asthma attack
1. Take your reliever inhaler (usually blue), immediately
2. Sit down and ensure that any tight clothing is loosened. Do not lie down
3. If no immediate improvement during an attack, continue to take one puff of your reliever inhaler every minute for five minutes or until symptoms improve
4. If your symptoms do not improve in five minutes – or you are in doubt – call 999 or a doctor urgently
5. Continue to take one puff of your reliever inhaler every minute until help arrives
You are having an asthma attack if any of the following happen:
* Your reliever does not help symptoms
* Your symptoms are getting worse (cough, breathlessness, wheeze or tight chest)
* You are too breathless to speak, eat or sleep
Do not be afraid of causing a fuss, even at night. If you are admitted to hospital or an accident and emergency department because of your asthma, take details of your medicines with you.
After an emergency asthma attack:
* Make an appointment with your doctor or asthma nurse for an asthma review, within 48 hours of your attack
* You will also need another review within one or two weeks after your asthma attack to make sure your symptoms are better controlled
Do not ignore worsening symptoms
Most people find that asthma attacks are the result of gradual worsening of symptoms over a few days.
If your asthma symptoms are getting worse do not ignore them! Follow your personal asthma action plan. If symptoms continue to get worse make an urgent appointment to see your doctor or asthma nurse. Quite often, using your reliever is all that is needed to relieve your asthma symptoms when you start to have an asthma attack. At other times, symptoms are more severe and more urgent action is needed.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights reserved.
Controlling Your Asthma
Controlling Your Asthma ?
If your asthma is under control you are more likely to have a better quality of life and be more able to do the things you want to. In this section you will find information about how to spot when your asthma is not well controlled, practical help to get your symptoms back under control from our 'Be in Control' pack and advice on the questions you should be asking when you visit your doctor or asthma nurse.
It is important that you take your asthma medicine properly and that your doctor or asthma nurse has explained how to use inhalers properly so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit.
Is your asthma under control?
Three questions can help you to identify whether your symptoms are under control:-
In the last month:
* Have you had difficulty sleeping because of your asthma symptoms (including cough)
* Have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day (cough, wheeze, chest tightness or breathlessness)
* Has your asthma interfered with your usual activities - eg housework, work, school etc)
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions it may be that your asthma is not controlled as well as it could be. See your doctor or asthma nurse to discuss ways that you may be able to improve your asthma control
Signs that your asthma is not well controlled
Signs may include:
* Waking at night with coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or a tightness in the chest
* Having to take time off work because of your asthma
* Finding it difficult to breathe, and breathing short shallow breaths
* Needing more and more reliever treatment
* Finding that your reliever does not seem to be working
* Having to take your reliever more frequently than every four hours
* Feeling that you cannot keep up with your usual level of activity or exercise
If you notice any of these symptoms you should follow your personal asthma action plan, as this should help you to get your symptoms back under control. If this does not work, you should see your doctor or asthma nurse. This may involve looking at your medicines, triggers and lifestyle to see if anything can be changed.
Help for you to take control of your symptoms
You can take control of your asthma by knowing what medicines to take, how much and when to take them. It is also important to avoid things that trigger your asthma and know what to do if your symptoms get worse.
All of this information should be recorded on a personal asthma action plan, which your doctor or asthma nurse should complete in discussion with you. Asthma UK produces a set of tools called 'Be in control' which includes an action plan, peak flow diary, medicines card and asthma review card. This is available free from Asthma UK - follow the links on the right hand side of this page.
Top tips for getting your asthma under control
A few simple steps to help you get your asthma under control.
* Knowing what medicines to take and when to take them is an important step towards keeping your asthma symptoms under control.
* Eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
* Drink plenty of water and avoid getting dehydrated.
* Review your symptoms and medicine with your doctor or asthma nurse at least once a year (more frequently if you have severe asthma symptoms or in the case of your children, every six to 12 months).
* Tell your doctor or asthma nurse how asthma symptoms affect your lifestyle so that they can help you to identify ways to overcome these to make your life better.
* Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse about the medicines that you are taking, how to identify and avoid triggers, and how to cope with a long-term condition.
* Use your preventer inhaler regularly as prescribed. This will reduce your risk of having an asthma attack if you ocme into contact with a trigger
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights reserved.
http://www.friendsofasthma.com
If your asthma is under control you are more likely to have a better quality of life and be more able to do the things you want to. In this section you will find information about how to spot when your asthma is not well controlled, practical help to get your symptoms back under control from our 'Be in Control' pack and advice on the questions you should be asking when you visit your doctor or asthma nurse.
It is important that you take your asthma medicine properly and that your doctor or asthma nurse has explained how to use inhalers properly so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit.
Is your asthma under control?
Three questions can help you to identify whether your symptoms are under control:-
In the last month:
* Have you had difficulty sleeping because of your asthma symptoms (including cough)
* Have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day (cough, wheeze, chest tightness or breathlessness)
* Has your asthma interfered with your usual activities - eg housework, work, school etc)
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions it may be that your asthma is not controlled as well as it could be. See your doctor or asthma nurse to discuss ways that you may be able to improve your asthma control
Signs that your asthma is not well controlled
Signs may include:
* Waking at night with coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or a tightness in the chest
* Having to take time off work because of your asthma
* Finding it difficult to breathe, and breathing short shallow breaths
* Needing more and more reliever treatment
* Finding that your reliever does not seem to be working
* Having to take your reliever more frequently than every four hours
* Feeling that you cannot keep up with your usual level of activity or exercise
If you notice any of these symptoms you should follow your personal asthma action plan, as this should help you to get your symptoms back under control. If this does not work, you should see your doctor or asthma nurse. This may involve looking at your medicines, triggers and lifestyle to see if anything can be changed.
Help for you to take control of your symptoms
You can take control of your asthma by knowing what medicines to take, how much and when to take them. It is also important to avoid things that trigger your asthma and know what to do if your symptoms get worse.
All of this information should be recorded on a personal asthma action plan, which your doctor or asthma nurse should complete in discussion with you. Asthma UK produces a set of tools called 'Be in control' which includes an action plan, peak flow diary, medicines card and asthma review card. This is available free from Asthma UK - follow the links on the right hand side of this page.
Top tips for getting your asthma under control
A few simple steps to help you get your asthma under control.
* Knowing what medicines to take and when to take them is an important step towards keeping your asthma symptoms under control.
* Eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
* Drink plenty of water and avoid getting dehydrated.
* Review your symptoms and medicine with your doctor or asthma nurse at least once a year (more frequently if you have severe asthma symptoms or in the case of your children, every six to 12 months).
* Tell your doctor or asthma nurse how asthma symptoms affect your lifestyle so that they can help you to identify ways to overcome these to make your life better.
* Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse about the medicines that you are taking, how to identify and avoid triggers, and how to cope with a long-term condition.
* Use your preventer inhaler regularly as prescribed. This will reduce your risk of having an asthma attack if you ocme into contact with a trigger
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights reserved.
http://www.friendsofasthma.com
How can I Treat my Asthma
How can I treat my asthma?
Although there is no cure for asthma, there are some excellent medicines available to help you to control your asthma so that is does not interfere with your daily life.
It is important that you take your asthma medicine properly and that your doctor or asthma nurse has explained how to use inhalers properly so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit.
Relievers
Everyone with asthma should have a reliever inhaler. Reliever inhalers are usually blue.
Relievers are medicines that are taken immediately to relieve asthma symptoms. They quickly relax the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways. This allows the airways to open wider, making it easier to breathe again.
Relievers are essential in treating asthma attacks. You should take a dose of reliever inhaler when you are having asthma symptoms. If you are using your reliever inhaler three or more times a week, your asthma may not be well controlled and you should go back to your doctor or asthma nurse and have your symptoms reviewed.
Preventer inhalers
Preventers control the swelling and inflammation in the airways, stopping them from being so sensitive and reducing the risk of severe attacks.
Not everyone with asthma will be prescribed preventer medicine.
The protective effect builds up over a period of time so they need to be taken every day (usually morning and evening) even when you are feeling well.
Preventers do not give immediate or quick relief when you are breathless but instead they reduce long-term inflammation. Preventer inhalers usually contain a low dose of steroid medicine.
There are several kinds of preventers, but they all work in the same way. You will be started on an appropriate level of treatment to get your symptoms under control; once this has been achieved the treatment will be reduced to the lowest possible dose.
Preventers are usually brown, red or orange inhalers.
When are preventers prescribed?
You should be prescribed a preventer if you:
* are breathless, cough or have a tight chest during everyday activities three or more times a week
* need to use your reliever inhaler three times a week or more
* have sleep disturbed by cough or chest tightness each week
* have bad attacks of breathlessness when you have a chest infection or are in a smoky atmosphere.
What will my preventer do for me?
As the protective effect of the steroid builds up, you will be less likely to have asthma attacks. You will be less likely to be breathless during the day and night and you will not need to use your reliever inhaler as often.
Why is my reliever inhaler not enough?
Reliever inhalers relax your airways, which help breathlessness, but they do not remove airway inflammation. As well as the relaxing effect of a reliever inhaler, you need the anti-inflammatory effect of a preventer. Once airways are less inflamed they are less sensitive to triggers such as cigarette smoke and viral infections.
How long will it take to work?
It may take up to 14 days for your preventer medicine to reduce inflammation and mucus in your airways.
Don't stop taking it if nothing much happens for a few days. Gradually, chest tightness, night cough and wheeze should become less. You should notice that you need to use less reliever inhaler.
When should I see my doctor or asthma nurse again?
Your doctor or asthma nurse will probably want to see you within a month after you start using a preventer. They will be able to adjust your medicines if your symptoms are not decreasing. Or, if your preventer works well for you, you may be able to cut down on the number of puffs you take each day, or the strength of the medicine.
Do I really need to take my preventer
every day?
Yes. To work properly, preventers need to be taken every day, usually morning and evening, even if you are feeling well. The protective effect of the preventer medicine builds up gradually.
Once this protection is working, occasionally forgetting to take your inhaler will usually not have bad effects. But forgetting or stopping for several days at a time will mean your protection begins to disappear. If you stop using your preventer, chest infections are more likely to bring on an asthma attack.
Will my preventer medicines change?
Yes. It is likely that you will have to change your medicines from time to time.
If your asthma gets really bad, you may need to increase the dose you take. Or you may need a short course of steroid tablets as well as your regular preventer.
When you begin taking preventer medicine, your doctor or asthma nurse may want you to take a higher dose each day. This will get your asthma under control quickly. As your symptoms improve, you may be able to take fewer daily puffs or move to a lower strength inhaler.
Using your inhalers
Using an inhaler is the most common way of taking asthma medicines. It is also a very effective way because inhaling the medicine takes it straight into your lungs.
It is important that you take the medicine properly. Your doctor or asthma nurse should explain how to use your inhaler so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit.
It is very common to experience problems using inhalers. Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse specialist and they will be able to check your inhaler technique or may give you a different inhaler.
They may also suggest that you try one of the following options:
* Large volume spacers are available on prescription. These make aerosol inhalers easier to use and more effective. They trap the medicine inside the spacer, so you don't have to worry about pressing the inhaler and breathing in at exactly the same time. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for details.
* If you have arthritis in your hand, or have difficulty holding the inhaler, a device like the Haleraid or Turboaid might be useful. The Haleraid fits onto some spray-type inhalers. It allows you to release medicines by applying pressure with the palm of your hand. This can be easier than pressing the canister down. Your doctor or asthma nurse will be able to advise you. The Haleraid is not available on prescription, but your pharmacist can order it direct from the manufacturers, Allen & Hanburys. Your pharmacist can also order the Turboaid from the manufacturers, Astra Zenec
Steroid tablets
If your asthma symptoms become severe, your doctor or asthma nurse may give you a short course (3-14 days) of steroid tablets. Steroid tablets work quickly and powerfully to help to calm your inflamed airways. Short courses of steroid tablets are also used to treat acute asthma attacks and are used for essential emergency treatment of asthma attacks.
If you finish a short course of steroids but are not back to normal, you should visit your doctor. You may need to continue the course for more days to get your asthma back under control.
A small number of people with severe asthma find that their preventer medicine and short courses of steroid tablets are not enough to control their asthma. They need to take steroid tablets for a longer period.
Why do I need to keep taking preventer medicine when I am taking steroid tablets?
The main reason why you should continue taking preventer medicines is because that means your steroid tablet dose can be as low as possible.
Stopping regular steroid tablets: A warning
When you are taking regular tablet steroids your adrenal gland becomes lazy, and makes less of its own natural steroids. This means you have less ability to cope with infections or deal with physical stress.
Long courses of steroid tablets (three weeks or more) can be stopped only by gradual reduction and under the guidance of your doctor or asthma nurse. If they are stopped suddenly you will be very vulnerable to infection and less able to cope with any crisis such as an operation. For this reason the doses should be reduced slowly over weeks or months.
Spacers
A spacer is a large plastic or metal container, with a mouthpiece at one end and a hole for the aerosol inhaler at the other. Spacers only work with an aerosol inhaler.
Why are spacers important?
Spacers are important because they help to deliver the medicine to your lungs. They also make the inhaler easier to use and reduce the risk of side effects.
There are several different brands of spacer that fit different inhalers and are available on prescription (including Volumatic (pictured), Nebuhaler, AeroChamber and Able Spacer)
Spacers are very important because:
* they make aerosol inhalers easier to use and more effective
* you get more medicine into your lungs than when just using the inhaler on its own
* they are convenient and compact and work at least as well as nebulisers at treating most asthma attacks in children and adults
* they help to reduce the possibility of side effects from the higher doses of preventer medicines by reducing the amount of medicine that is swallowed and absorbed into the body
Handy hints for using a spacer
* Your doctor, asthma nurse or pharmacist should show you how to use your inhaler and spacer properly
* Make sure that the spacer you have been given fits your inhaler
* Put one puff of your inhaler into the spacer and breathe in deeply through the mouthpiece.
* Hold your breath for ten seconds (or for as long as is comfortable) then breathe out slowly.
* It is best to take at least two deeply held breaths for each puff of your inhaler.
* If you find it difficult to take deep breaths, breathing in and out of the mouthpiece several times is just as good.
* Repeat the step above for each dose/puff needed
* Wash your spacer once a month – leave it to drip-dry as this helps to prevent the medication sticking to the sides
* Using metal or anti-static spacers can help to make sure that most of the medicine gets into your lungs
* Spacers should be replaced at least every year, especially if you use them daily
Nebulisers
A nebuliser is a machine that creates a mist of medicine, which is then breathed in through a mask or mouthpiece. They are more commonly used to give high doses of reliever medicine in an emergency situation, for example in hospital or a doctor's surgery, but are no more effective than an inhaler and spacer for treating most asthma attacks.
If you have your own nebuliser it is important to have it serviced regularly and keep it in good working order.
Read more about nebulisers, what they are, who needs one and how to get hold of one by downloading our factfile below.
Side effects of asthma medicines
Relievers are a safe and effective medicine and have very few side effects. You cannot overdose on reliever medicine. Some relievers can temporarily increase your heartbeat or give you mild muscle shakes. These effects are more common when taking high doses. However they generally wear off within a few minutes or a few hours at most.
Side effects of preventer medicines
The possibility of side effects from taking your inhaled preventer medicine is very low. Because the inhaled medicine goes straight down to the airways where it is needed, very little is absorbed into the rest of the body.
If you use preventer medicine there is a small risk of having a sore tongue, sore throat, hoarseness of the voice and a mouth infection called thrush. To help prevent these side effects, rinse your mouth out and brush your teeth after using your preventer inhaler. Using a spacer will also help reduce the possibility of thrush.
Children should be monitored closely if they are taking preventer medicines - especially for growth.
It is possible that long-term and high-dose use of preventer medicines (inhaled steroids) may cause some other side effects (See 'Side effects of long-term use of steroid tablets', below). That is why your doctor and asthma nurse will try to keep you on the lowest dose to control your symptoms.
Several studies have suggested the possibility of a very slight increased risk of the development of cataracts in elderly people who have used inhaled steroids. As with use of all medicines, careful attention needs to be paid to the risk versus benefit argument and it's as likely that any risk can be reduced by always using the lowest possible dose of medication to control the condition.
Side effects of steroid tablets
Short term use
For a small number of people, a short-term course of steroid tablets, can lower the body's resistance to chickenpox, so you should contact your doctor if you or your child are taking steroid tablets and you/they come into contact with chickenpox. If your doctor thinks you are at risk they can give you an injection to protect you.
Other possible side effects from taking a short course of steroid tablets are mood swings (especially in children) and increased hunger.
There are very few other side effects from taking occasional (three to four) short courses of steroids per year. However it is important to keep the number of courses to a minimum by making sure you are using enough of your other regular inhaled medicines.
Long term use
A small minority of people with severe asthma need to take steroid tablets for a longer period. However, taking steroid tablets regularly, for long periods of time (months or years) can have serious side effects for some people.
For these reasons your doctor and asthma nurse will always try to prescribe the smallest possible dose of daily steroid tablets. It is very important that you continue to take your other asthma treatments regularly to keep the need for steroid tablets to a minimum.
If you have severe asthma and you have been prescribed long-term steroid tablets your doctor and asthma nurse should discuss and consult with you about the risk of side effects against the benefits of controlling your asthma symptoms (if untreated, severe asthma can lead to permanent lung damage).
The possible side effects of long-term use of steroid tablets are:
* Fattened face (moon face)
* Feeling hungry and wanting to eat more (this extra eating can lead to weight gain)
* Feeling 'hyped up' and over active with difficulty sleeping
* Feeling depressed or having sudden mood swings
* Heartburn and indigestion
* Bruising easily
* Brittle bones (osteoporosis)
* Altering diabetic control or uncovering a tendency to diabetes
* Chickenpox may be more serious
* Risk of cataract increases
Steroid tablets do not have any side effects that damage the heart.
What can I do about side effects of steroid tablets?
* Most importantly, don't smoke. If you smoke, bone thinning side effects are worse. Your general asthma control will also be helped if no one in your household smokes. If your partner gives up smoking, it may mean you can cut down on your dose of steroid tablet.
* Taking steroid tablets first thing in the morning may have some benefit in decreasing side effects.
* People who need to take regular steroid tablets can use daily calcium supplements, although there is no clear scientific evidence to prove that these are useful.
* Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking for 20 minutes each day will help protect against the bone thinning effect of long-term steroids.
Complementary therapies
Many people with asthma are interested in trying treatments and therapies that do not use prescribed medicines. These treatments and therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnosis and Buteyko and other breathing techniques, are usually referred to as complementary therapies.
However there is little scientific evidence that complementary therapies are effective especially used on their own. That is why it is better to see them as 'complementary' and working alongside conventional medicines - rather than 'alternative'. If you are interested in trying one of the many complementary therapies available, you should speak to your doctor or asthma nurse first.
Complementary therapies and treatments should only ever be used alongside your prescribed medicines. (It is very important that you never stop taking your normal asthma medicines unless your doctor advises you otherwise).
Please call us about our advice on Powerbreather and Oxygen systems. See website
http://www.friendsofasthama.com
Although there is no cure for asthma, there are some excellent medicines available to help you to control your asthma so that is does not interfere with your daily life.
It is important that you take your asthma medicine properly and that your doctor or asthma nurse has explained how to use inhalers properly so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit.
Relievers
Everyone with asthma should have a reliever inhaler. Reliever inhalers are usually blue.
Relievers are medicines that are taken immediately to relieve asthma symptoms. They quickly relax the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways. This allows the airways to open wider, making it easier to breathe again.
Relievers are essential in treating asthma attacks. You should take a dose of reliever inhaler when you are having asthma symptoms. If you are using your reliever inhaler three or more times a week, your asthma may not be well controlled and you should go back to your doctor or asthma nurse and have your symptoms reviewed.
Preventer inhalers
Preventers control the swelling and inflammation in the airways, stopping them from being so sensitive and reducing the risk of severe attacks.
Not everyone with asthma will be prescribed preventer medicine.
The protective effect builds up over a period of time so they need to be taken every day (usually morning and evening) even when you are feeling well.
Preventers do not give immediate or quick relief when you are breathless but instead they reduce long-term inflammation. Preventer inhalers usually contain a low dose of steroid medicine.
There are several kinds of preventers, but they all work in the same way. You will be started on an appropriate level of treatment to get your symptoms under control; once this has been achieved the treatment will be reduced to the lowest possible dose.
Preventers are usually brown, red or orange inhalers.
When are preventers prescribed?
You should be prescribed a preventer if you:
* are breathless, cough or have a tight chest during everyday activities three or more times a week
* need to use your reliever inhaler three times a week or more
* have sleep disturbed by cough or chest tightness each week
* have bad attacks of breathlessness when you have a chest infection or are in a smoky atmosphere.
What will my preventer do for me?
As the protective effect of the steroid builds up, you will be less likely to have asthma attacks. You will be less likely to be breathless during the day and night and you will not need to use your reliever inhaler as often.
Why is my reliever inhaler not enough?
Reliever inhalers relax your airways, which help breathlessness, but they do not remove airway inflammation. As well as the relaxing effect of a reliever inhaler, you need the anti-inflammatory effect of a preventer. Once airways are less inflamed they are less sensitive to triggers such as cigarette smoke and viral infections.
How long will it take to work?
It may take up to 14 days for your preventer medicine to reduce inflammation and mucus in your airways.
Don't stop taking it if nothing much happens for a few days. Gradually, chest tightness, night cough and wheeze should become less. You should notice that you need to use less reliever inhaler.
When should I see my doctor or asthma nurse again?
Your doctor or asthma nurse will probably want to see you within a month after you start using a preventer. They will be able to adjust your medicines if your symptoms are not decreasing. Or, if your preventer works well for you, you may be able to cut down on the number of puffs you take each day, or the strength of the medicine.
Do I really need to take my preventer
every day?
Yes. To work properly, preventers need to be taken every day, usually morning and evening, even if you are feeling well. The protective effect of the preventer medicine builds up gradually.
Once this protection is working, occasionally forgetting to take your inhaler will usually not have bad effects. But forgetting or stopping for several days at a time will mean your protection begins to disappear. If you stop using your preventer, chest infections are more likely to bring on an asthma attack.
Will my preventer medicines change?
Yes. It is likely that you will have to change your medicines from time to time.
If your asthma gets really bad, you may need to increase the dose you take. Or you may need a short course of steroid tablets as well as your regular preventer.
When you begin taking preventer medicine, your doctor or asthma nurse may want you to take a higher dose each day. This will get your asthma under control quickly. As your symptoms improve, you may be able to take fewer daily puffs or move to a lower strength inhaler.
Using your inhalers
Using an inhaler is the most common way of taking asthma medicines. It is also a very effective way because inhaling the medicine takes it straight into your lungs.
It is important that you take the medicine properly. Your doctor or asthma nurse should explain how to use your inhaler so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit.
It is very common to experience problems using inhalers. Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse specialist and they will be able to check your inhaler technique or may give you a different inhaler.
They may also suggest that you try one of the following options:
* Large volume spacers are available on prescription. These make aerosol inhalers easier to use and more effective. They trap the medicine inside the spacer, so you don't have to worry about pressing the inhaler and breathing in at exactly the same time. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for details.
* If you have arthritis in your hand, or have difficulty holding the inhaler, a device like the Haleraid or Turboaid might be useful. The Haleraid fits onto some spray-type inhalers. It allows you to release medicines by applying pressure with the palm of your hand. This can be easier than pressing the canister down. Your doctor or asthma nurse will be able to advise you. The Haleraid is not available on prescription, but your pharmacist can order it direct from the manufacturers, Allen & Hanburys. Your pharmacist can also order the Turboaid from the manufacturers, Astra Zenec
Steroid tablets
If your asthma symptoms become severe, your doctor or asthma nurse may give you a short course (3-14 days) of steroid tablets. Steroid tablets work quickly and powerfully to help to calm your inflamed airways. Short courses of steroid tablets are also used to treat acute asthma attacks and are used for essential emergency treatment of asthma attacks.
If you finish a short course of steroids but are not back to normal, you should visit your doctor. You may need to continue the course for more days to get your asthma back under control.
A small number of people with severe asthma find that their preventer medicine and short courses of steroid tablets are not enough to control their asthma. They need to take steroid tablets for a longer period.
Why do I need to keep taking preventer medicine when I am taking steroid tablets?
The main reason why you should continue taking preventer medicines is because that means your steroid tablet dose can be as low as possible.
Stopping regular steroid tablets: A warning
When you are taking regular tablet steroids your adrenal gland becomes lazy, and makes less of its own natural steroids. This means you have less ability to cope with infections or deal with physical stress.
Long courses of steroid tablets (three weeks or more) can be stopped only by gradual reduction and under the guidance of your doctor or asthma nurse. If they are stopped suddenly you will be very vulnerable to infection and less able to cope with any crisis such as an operation. For this reason the doses should be reduced slowly over weeks or months.
Spacers
A spacer is a large plastic or metal container, with a mouthpiece at one end and a hole for the aerosol inhaler at the other. Spacers only work with an aerosol inhaler.
Why are spacers important?
Spacers are important because they help to deliver the medicine to your lungs. They also make the inhaler easier to use and reduce the risk of side effects.
There are several different brands of spacer that fit different inhalers and are available on prescription (including Volumatic (pictured), Nebuhaler, AeroChamber and Able Spacer)
Spacers are very important because:
* they make aerosol inhalers easier to use and more effective
* you get more medicine into your lungs than when just using the inhaler on its own
* they are convenient and compact and work at least as well as nebulisers at treating most asthma attacks in children and adults
* they help to reduce the possibility of side effects from the higher doses of preventer medicines by reducing the amount of medicine that is swallowed and absorbed into the body
Handy hints for using a spacer
* Your doctor, asthma nurse or pharmacist should show you how to use your inhaler and spacer properly
* Make sure that the spacer you have been given fits your inhaler
* Put one puff of your inhaler into the spacer and breathe in deeply through the mouthpiece.
* Hold your breath for ten seconds (or for as long as is comfortable) then breathe out slowly.
* It is best to take at least two deeply held breaths for each puff of your inhaler.
* If you find it difficult to take deep breaths, breathing in and out of the mouthpiece several times is just as good.
* Repeat the step above for each dose/puff needed
* Wash your spacer once a month – leave it to drip-dry as this helps to prevent the medication sticking to the sides
* Using metal or anti-static spacers can help to make sure that most of the medicine gets into your lungs
* Spacers should be replaced at least every year, especially if you use them daily
Nebulisers
A nebuliser is a machine that creates a mist of medicine, which is then breathed in through a mask or mouthpiece. They are more commonly used to give high doses of reliever medicine in an emergency situation, for example in hospital or a doctor's surgery, but are no more effective than an inhaler and spacer for treating most asthma attacks.
If you have your own nebuliser it is important to have it serviced regularly and keep it in good working order.
Read more about nebulisers, what they are, who needs one and how to get hold of one by downloading our factfile below.
Side effects of asthma medicines
Relievers are a safe and effective medicine and have very few side effects. You cannot overdose on reliever medicine. Some relievers can temporarily increase your heartbeat or give you mild muscle shakes. These effects are more common when taking high doses. However they generally wear off within a few minutes or a few hours at most.
Side effects of preventer medicines
The possibility of side effects from taking your inhaled preventer medicine is very low. Because the inhaled medicine goes straight down to the airways where it is needed, very little is absorbed into the rest of the body.
If you use preventer medicine there is a small risk of having a sore tongue, sore throat, hoarseness of the voice and a mouth infection called thrush. To help prevent these side effects, rinse your mouth out and brush your teeth after using your preventer inhaler. Using a spacer will also help reduce the possibility of thrush.
Children should be monitored closely if they are taking preventer medicines - especially for growth.
It is possible that long-term and high-dose use of preventer medicines (inhaled steroids) may cause some other side effects (See 'Side effects of long-term use of steroid tablets', below). That is why your doctor and asthma nurse will try to keep you on the lowest dose to control your symptoms.
Several studies have suggested the possibility of a very slight increased risk of the development of cataracts in elderly people who have used inhaled steroids. As with use of all medicines, careful attention needs to be paid to the risk versus benefit argument and it's as likely that any risk can be reduced by always using the lowest possible dose of medication to control the condition.
Side effects of steroid tablets
Short term use
For a small number of people, a short-term course of steroid tablets, can lower the body's resistance to chickenpox, so you should contact your doctor if you or your child are taking steroid tablets and you/they come into contact with chickenpox. If your doctor thinks you are at risk they can give you an injection to protect you.
Other possible side effects from taking a short course of steroid tablets are mood swings (especially in children) and increased hunger.
There are very few other side effects from taking occasional (three to four) short courses of steroids per year. However it is important to keep the number of courses to a minimum by making sure you are using enough of your other regular inhaled medicines.
Long term use
A small minority of people with severe asthma need to take steroid tablets for a longer period. However, taking steroid tablets regularly, for long periods of time (months or years) can have serious side effects for some people.
For these reasons your doctor and asthma nurse will always try to prescribe the smallest possible dose of daily steroid tablets. It is very important that you continue to take your other asthma treatments regularly to keep the need for steroid tablets to a minimum.
If you have severe asthma and you have been prescribed long-term steroid tablets your doctor and asthma nurse should discuss and consult with you about the risk of side effects against the benefits of controlling your asthma symptoms (if untreated, severe asthma can lead to permanent lung damage).
The possible side effects of long-term use of steroid tablets are:
* Fattened face (moon face)
* Feeling hungry and wanting to eat more (this extra eating can lead to weight gain)
* Feeling 'hyped up' and over active with difficulty sleeping
* Feeling depressed or having sudden mood swings
* Heartburn and indigestion
* Bruising easily
* Brittle bones (osteoporosis)
* Altering diabetic control or uncovering a tendency to diabetes
* Chickenpox may be more serious
* Risk of cataract increases
Steroid tablets do not have any side effects that damage the heart.
What can I do about side effects of steroid tablets?
* Most importantly, don't smoke. If you smoke, bone thinning side effects are worse. Your general asthma control will also be helped if no one in your household smokes. If your partner gives up smoking, it may mean you can cut down on your dose of steroid tablet.
* Taking steroid tablets first thing in the morning may have some benefit in decreasing side effects.
* People who need to take regular steroid tablets can use daily calcium supplements, although there is no clear scientific evidence to prove that these are useful.
* Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking for 20 minutes each day will help protect against the bone thinning effect of long-term steroids.
Complementary therapies
Many people with asthma are interested in trying treatments and therapies that do not use prescribed medicines. These treatments and therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnosis and Buteyko and other breathing techniques, are usually referred to as complementary therapies.
However there is little scientific evidence that complementary therapies are effective especially used on their own. That is why it is better to see them as 'complementary' and working alongside conventional medicines - rather than 'alternative'. If you are interested in trying one of the many complementary therapies available, you should speak to your doctor or asthma nurse first.
Complementary therapies and treatments should only ever be used alongside your prescribed medicines. (It is very important that you never stop taking your normal asthma medicines unless your doctor advises you otherwise).
Please call us about our advice on Powerbreather and Oxygen systems. See website
http://www.friendsofasthama.com
Asthma triggers A-Z
Asthma triggers A-Z
A trigger is anything that irritates the airways and causes the symptoms of asthma. Everyone’s asthma is different and you may have several triggers. An important aspect of controlling your asthma is avoiding your triggers.
It may be impossible to avoid all of your triggers but once you have identified them, there are things you can do to help you reduce unnecessary symptoms and better control your asthma.
It can be difficult to identify exactly what triggers your asthma.
Sometimes the link is obvious, for example when your symptoms
start within minutes of coming into contact with a cat or dog.
But some people can have a delayed reaction to an asthma trigger,
so some extra detective work may be needed.
Use the links in this section to find out more about possible triggers
and how to avoid them.
Animals
Furry and feathery animals are a common trigger of asthma symptoms. The allergens (the thing that causes the allergic reaction) are found in their saliva, flakes of skin (pet dander), fur and urine.
If you know your asthma is triggered by furry or feathery animals
* Try and find a new home for your pet - and if you cannot find them a new home ensure that they don't go in your living room or bedroom
* Bathing cats and dogs twice a week can help. Ask your vet for advice on how to do this properly
Air pollutant
The air we breathe contains lots of different particles that can trigger asthma symptoms. Air pollutants like cigarette smoke and car exhaust fumes release gases and particles into the atmosphere, which can irritate your airways.
* If you find pollution triggers your asthma, keep well informed about air quality.
* Ozone can be a problem for some people. Levels are likely to be higher on hot, summer days. If you think this might be a trigger for you, avoid exercising outdoors, especially in the afternoon.
* There is no strong evidence that wearing a facemask is helpful.
Colds & viral infection
Colds and viral infections are very common triggers of asthma. They are also almost impossible to avoid.
At your asthma review you should talk to your doctor or asthma nurse about having the flu vaccination. These are normally available every autumn.
People who are regularly taking steroid tablets should also talk to their doctor about having the pneumococcal vaccination.
Unlike the flu vaccination, which should be repeated every year, the pneumococcal vaccination is usually only given once.
Flu and pneumococcal injections are also recommended for everyone over the age of 65.
Emotion
Stress or even a fit of laughter can trigger asthma symptoms, as can other situations such as depression, financial problems, bereavement and extreme work-related stress. Monitoring your condition and taking your medicine regularly should help to minimise symptoms. Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse if you are going through a difficult time and feel you need more support.
Exercise
Some people with asthma find that exercise triggers their asthma symptoms. However, exercise is good for everyone, including people with asthma. If your asthma is well controlled, you should be able to join in, have fun and keep fit.
If your asthma symptoms get worse during or after exercise it could be a sign that your asthma is poorly controlled and you may need to visit your doctor or asthma nurse for an asthma review.
Tips on exercising with asthma
* Make sure the people you are exercising with know you have asthma.
* Increase your fitness levels gradually.
* Always have your reliever inhaler with you when you exercise.
* If exercise triggers your asthma use your reliever inhaler immediately before you warm up.
* Ensure that you always warm up and down thoroughly.
* Try not to come into contact with things that trigger your asthma.
* If you have symptoms when you exercise, stop, take your reliever inhaler and wait until you feel better before starting again.
* If you use preventer medicine, take it as prescribed by your doctor or asthma nurse.
What are the best types of exercise for people with asthma?
If your asthma is under control, you should be able to do any sport or exercise that you enjoy. However, you might like to try the following:
* Yoga (helps to relax the body and improve your breathing technique)
* Fitness classes involving short periods of aerobic exercise
* Team sports such as football or hockey are less likely to cause asthma symptoms as they are played in brief bursts with short breaks in between.
* Swimming is usually an excellent form of exercise for most people with asthma. The warm humid air in the swimming pool is less likely to trigger symptoms of asthma. However, chlorine and swimming in cold water can trigger some people's asthma.
Some sports and activities, for example, scuba-diving, climbing, hiking or skiing at high altitudes or in cold weather, can cause problems for some people with asthma. Speak to your doctor or asthma nurse if you are thinking about doing any of these activities.
Food
Most people with asthma do not have to follow a special diet. In some cases, certain foods including cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, yeast products, nuts, and some food colourings and preservatives, can make symptoms worse.
If you think you have a food allergy, contact your doctor or asthma nurse for further advice
Hormones
Some women find their asthma can be affected around puberty, before their periods, during pregnancy and during menopause. If your asthma gets worse around these times, see your doctor or asthma nurse so that you can discuss any changes to your medicines that may help.
House-dust mites
Many people with asthma are sensitive to the droppings of house-dust mites. These are tiny creatures that live in the dust that builds up around the house, in carpets, bedding, soft furnishings and soft toys.
If you know house-dust mites trigger your asthma, you may be able to reduce some symptoms by following all the recommendations below. However, if your symptoms do not improve using these measures, there is no point in continuing them .
* Use complete barrier covering systems on your mattress, duvet and pillow.
* Remove all carpets and replace with hard flooring.
* Vacuum all areas frequently. Use a vacuum cleaner that has good suction and a filtered exhaust that does not scatter dust. Damp dust all surfaces or use an attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
* Ask someone else to vacuum while you stay out of the room.
* Remove all soft toys from beds. Put them into a bag in the freezer for a minimum of six hours every one to two weeks to kill house-dust mites.
* Hot wash (at 60 degrees C) sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases once a week. Although some people are allergic to feathers, there is no conclusive evidence to show that synthetic, 'hypo-allergenic' pillows are any better.
* Clean your soft furnishings with anti-house-dust mite chemicals.
* Use a dehumidifier to dry the air, as this makes it more difficult for the house-dust mites to survive.
Medicines that may trigger asthma in some people
Some medicines that are used to treat a range of conditions can lead to asthma attacks in a small number of people.
These medicines include, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets such as brufen, voltarol and naposyn (for example Ibuprofen and Naproxin). Other medicines that can sometimes lead to asthma attacks include beta-blockers, used to treat heart disease and glaucoma and some cold and flu remedies.
Moulds & fungi
Moulds release tiny seeds called spores into the air, which can trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Mould spores are found in any damp place – from piles of autumn leaves and woody areas, to bathrooms, kitchens and even piles of damp clothes.
To help avoid this trigger:
* Ensure the house is well ventilated.
* Ensure damp in the home is treated quickly.
* Avoid areas (such as gardens or compost) that may contain mould spores.
Pollen
Pollen can trigger asthma symptoms in some people.
If your asthma is triggered by pollen, try the following to reduce your asthma in the pollen season:
* Review your treatment with your doctor or asthma nurse in advance of the hay fever season.
* Look out for pollen forecasts on the television, in newspapers or on the internet - if high counts are forecast in your region, try to reduce the time you spend outside .
* To help avoid pollen as a trigger for children's asthma do not stop your child from playing outside, but be aware that a high pollen count could cause problems
* Very few children under five have asthma that is triggered by pollen unless they have other allergies or a family history of allergy.
Smoking
Smoking is dangerous for everyone, but particularly for people with asthma. It can irritate the lungs and bring on asthma symptoms.
* If you smoke (or breathe in other people's smoke) you increase the risk of an asthma attack and may permanently damage your airways
* You are increasing the risk of your asthma persisting if you smoke as a teenager
* You are putting children at risk of asthma if you smoke around them or during pregnancy
* Many public places are now smoke-free areas but do not be afraid to ask other people to stop smoking around yo
Weather
A sudden change in temperature, cold air, windy days, poor air quality and hot, humid days are all known triggers for asthma.
Take your usual dose of reliever inhaler before going out on cold, dry days. If it is cold and windy, wearing a scarf over your face will help to warm up the air before you breathe it in. Try to avoid going out in the middle of the day on hot, smoggy days.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms can release large quantities of pollen, in very small particles, into the air. This can trigger asthma attacks for many people. It is best to stay inside with the windows closed during thunderstorms. hot, smoggy days.
A trigger is anything that irritates the airways and causes the symptoms of asthma. Everyone’s asthma is different and you may have several triggers. An important aspect of controlling your asthma is avoiding your triggers.
It may be impossible to avoid all of your triggers but once you have identified them, there are things you can do to help you reduce unnecessary symptoms and better control your asthma.
It can be difficult to identify exactly what triggers your asthma.
Sometimes the link is obvious, for example when your symptoms
start within minutes of coming into contact with a cat or dog.
But some people can have a delayed reaction to an asthma trigger,
so some extra detective work may be needed.
Use the links in this section to find out more about possible triggers
and how to avoid them.
Animals
Furry and feathery animals are a common trigger of asthma symptoms. The allergens (the thing that causes the allergic reaction) are found in their saliva, flakes of skin (pet dander), fur and urine.
If you know your asthma is triggered by furry or feathery animals
* Try and find a new home for your pet - and if you cannot find them a new home ensure that they don't go in your living room or bedroom
* Bathing cats and dogs twice a week can help. Ask your vet for advice on how to do this properly
Air pollutant
The air we breathe contains lots of different particles that can trigger asthma symptoms. Air pollutants like cigarette smoke and car exhaust fumes release gases and particles into the atmosphere, which can irritate your airways.
* If you find pollution triggers your asthma, keep well informed about air quality.
* Ozone can be a problem for some people. Levels are likely to be higher on hot, summer days. If you think this might be a trigger for you, avoid exercising outdoors, especially in the afternoon.
* There is no strong evidence that wearing a facemask is helpful.
Colds & viral infection
Colds and viral infections are very common triggers of asthma. They are also almost impossible to avoid.
At your asthma review you should talk to your doctor or asthma nurse about having the flu vaccination. These are normally available every autumn.
People who are regularly taking steroid tablets should also talk to their doctor about having the pneumococcal vaccination.
Unlike the flu vaccination, which should be repeated every year, the pneumococcal vaccination is usually only given once.
Flu and pneumococcal injections are also recommended for everyone over the age of 65.
Emotion
Stress or even a fit of laughter can trigger asthma symptoms, as can other situations such as depression, financial problems, bereavement and extreme work-related stress. Monitoring your condition and taking your medicine regularly should help to minimise symptoms. Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse if you are going through a difficult time and feel you need more support.
Exercise
Some people with asthma find that exercise triggers their asthma symptoms. However, exercise is good for everyone, including people with asthma. If your asthma is well controlled, you should be able to join in, have fun and keep fit.
If your asthma symptoms get worse during or after exercise it could be a sign that your asthma is poorly controlled and you may need to visit your doctor or asthma nurse for an asthma review.
Tips on exercising with asthma
* Make sure the people you are exercising with know you have asthma.
* Increase your fitness levels gradually.
* Always have your reliever inhaler with you when you exercise.
* If exercise triggers your asthma use your reliever inhaler immediately before you warm up.
* Ensure that you always warm up and down thoroughly.
* Try not to come into contact with things that trigger your asthma.
* If you have symptoms when you exercise, stop, take your reliever inhaler and wait until you feel better before starting again.
* If you use preventer medicine, take it as prescribed by your doctor or asthma nurse.
What are the best types of exercise for people with asthma?
If your asthma is under control, you should be able to do any sport or exercise that you enjoy. However, you might like to try the following:
* Yoga (helps to relax the body and improve your breathing technique)
* Fitness classes involving short periods of aerobic exercise
* Team sports such as football or hockey are less likely to cause asthma symptoms as they are played in brief bursts with short breaks in between.
* Swimming is usually an excellent form of exercise for most people with asthma. The warm humid air in the swimming pool is less likely to trigger symptoms of asthma. However, chlorine and swimming in cold water can trigger some people's asthma.
Some sports and activities, for example, scuba-diving, climbing, hiking or skiing at high altitudes or in cold weather, can cause problems for some people with asthma. Speak to your doctor or asthma nurse if you are thinking about doing any of these activities.
Food
Most people with asthma do not have to follow a special diet. In some cases, certain foods including cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, yeast products, nuts, and some food colourings and preservatives, can make symptoms worse.
If you think you have a food allergy, contact your doctor or asthma nurse for further advice
Hormones
Some women find their asthma can be affected around puberty, before their periods, during pregnancy and during menopause. If your asthma gets worse around these times, see your doctor or asthma nurse so that you can discuss any changes to your medicines that may help.
House-dust mites
Many people with asthma are sensitive to the droppings of house-dust mites. These are tiny creatures that live in the dust that builds up around the house, in carpets, bedding, soft furnishings and soft toys.
If you know house-dust mites trigger your asthma, you may be able to reduce some symptoms by following all the recommendations below. However, if your symptoms do not improve using these measures, there is no point in continuing them .
* Use complete barrier covering systems on your mattress, duvet and pillow.
* Remove all carpets and replace with hard flooring.
* Vacuum all areas frequently. Use a vacuum cleaner that has good suction and a filtered exhaust that does not scatter dust. Damp dust all surfaces or use an attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
* Ask someone else to vacuum while you stay out of the room.
* Remove all soft toys from beds. Put them into a bag in the freezer for a minimum of six hours every one to two weeks to kill house-dust mites.
* Hot wash (at 60 degrees C) sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases once a week. Although some people are allergic to feathers, there is no conclusive evidence to show that synthetic, 'hypo-allergenic' pillows are any better.
* Clean your soft furnishings with anti-house-dust mite chemicals.
* Use a dehumidifier to dry the air, as this makes it more difficult for the house-dust mites to survive.
Medicines that may trigger asthma in some people
Some medicines that are used to treat a range of conditions can lead to asthma attacks in a small number of people.
These medicines include, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets such as brufen, voltarol and naposyn (for example Ibuprofen and Naproxin). Other medicines that can sometimes lead to asthma attacks include beta-blockers, used to treat heart disease and glaucoma and some cold and flu remedies.
Moulds & fungi
Moulds release tiny seeds called spores into the air, which can trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Mould spores are found in any damp place – from piles of autumn leaves and woody areas, to bathrooms, kitchens and even piles of damp clothes.
To help avoid this trigger:
* Ensure the house is well ventilated.
* Ensure damp in the home is treated quickly.
* Avoid areas (such as gardens or compost) that may contain mould spores.
Pollen
Pollen can trigger asthma symptoms in some people.
If your asthma is triggered by pollen, try the following to reduce your asthma in the pollen season:
* Review your treatment with your doctor or asthma nurse in advance of the hay fever season.
* Look out for pollen forecasts on the television, in newspapers or on the internet - if high counts are forecast in your region, try to reduce the time you spend outside .
* To help avoid pollen as a trigger for children's asthma do not stop your child from playing outside, but be aware that a high pollen count could cause problems
* Very few children under five have asthma that is triggered by pollen unless they have other allergies or a family history of allergy.
Smoking
Smoking is dangerous for everyone, but particularly for people with asthma. It can irritate the lungs and bring on asthma symptoms.
* If you smoke (or breathe in other people's smoke) you increase the risk of an asthma attack and may permanently damage your airways
* You are increasing the risk of your asthma persisting if you smoke as a teenager
* You are putting children at risk of asthma if you smoke around them or during pregnancy
* Many public places are now smoke-free areas but do not be afraid to ask other people to stop smoking around yo
Weather
A sudden change in temperature, cold air, windy days, poor air quality and hot, humid days are all known triggers for asthma.
Take your usual dose of reliever inhaler before going out on cold, dry days. If it is cold and windy, wearing a scarf over your face will help to warm up the air before you breathe it in. Try to avoid going out in the middle of the day on hot, smoggy days.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms can release large quantities of pollen, in very small particles, into the air. This can trigger asthma attacks for many people. It is best to stay inside with the windows closed during thunderstorms. hot, smoggy days.
Asthma Basics
Asthma Basics
What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.
When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates their airways (an asthma trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Sometimes sticky mucus or phlegm builds up which can further narrow the airways. The illustration on the right shows a cross section of the airways, with and without inflammation.
All these reactions cause the airways to become narrower and irritated - making it difficult to breath and leading to symptoms of asthma.
What causes asthma?
It is difficult to say for sure what causes asthma.
What we do know is that:
* you are more likely to develop asthma if you have a family history of asthma, eczema or allergies
* it is likely that this family history combined with certain environmental factors influences whether or not someone develops asthma
* many aspects of modern lifestyles – such as changes in housing and diet and a more hygienic environment – may have contributed to the rise in asthma over the last few decades
* research has shown that smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of a child developing asthma
* children whose parents smoke are more likely to develop asthma
* environmental pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and may play a part in causing some asthma
* adult onset asthma may develop after a viral infection
* irritants found in the workplace may lead to a person developing asthma (occupational asthma).
Asthma symptoms
The usual symptoms of asthma are: :
* coughing
* wheezing
* shortness of breath
* tightness in the chest.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights
What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.
When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates their airways (an asthma trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Sometimes sticky mucus or phlegm builds up which can further narrow the airways. The illustration on the right shows a cross section of the airways, with and without inflammation.
All these reactions cause the airways to become narrower and irritated - making it difficult to breath and leading to symptoms of asthma.
What causes asthma?
It is difficult to say for sure what causes asthma.
What we do know is that:
* you are more likely to develop asthma if you have a family history of asthma, eczema or allergies
* it is likely that this family history combined with certain environmental factors influences whether or not someone develops asthma
* many aspects of modern lifestyles – such as changes in housing and diet and a more hygienic environment – may have contributed to the rise in asthma over the last few decades
* research has shown that smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of a child developing asthma
* children whose parents smoke are more likely to develop asthma
* environmental pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and may play a part in causing some asthma
* adult onset asthma may develop after a viral infection
* irritants found in the workplace may lead to a person developing asthma (occupational asthma).
Asthma symptoms
The usual symptoms of asthma are: :
* coughing
* wheezing
* shortness of breath
* tightness in the chest.
Copyright 2005-2006 © Friends of Asthma. All rights
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