Asthma

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways- the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In asthma, the airways become over-sensitive; meaning that they react to things that wouldn’t usually cause a problem, such as cold air or dust.

When the airways react to a substance, the muscles of the tube walls tighten up, making them narrow and leaving little room for air to flow in and out. The lining of the airways then gets swollen (just like your nose during a cold) and sticky mucus is produced which clogs up the breathing passages.

With so little space in the airways, it becomes difficult for air to move in and out and the chest has to work much harder to breathe. Tightening of the muscles around the airways can happen quickly; this is the most common cause of mild asthma symptoms.

Thankfully, this tightness can be relieved quickly with  a reliever inhaler (usually blue). However, the swelling and mucus happen more slowly and need a different treatment. This usually is usually a preventer inhaler which is taken daily to allow the effect to build up over time.

The majority of people with asthma are prescribed a daily preventer inhaler to protect against an asthma attack and a reliever inhaler to use when symptoms occur. It is extremely important that preventer medication is taken regularly, as prescribed and even when asthma symptoms are not present.

Diagnosing Asthma

If you suspect that you or your child has developed asthma, you must attend your G.P. to get an official diagnosis.

As there is no single test for asthma, your G.P. will make this diagnosis based on:

• A family history of asthma, if there is one.
• The pattern and frequency of symptoms.
• A physical chest examination.
• Peak flow readings or a lung function test (children must be over 5 years old).
• A trial of asthma treatment

Before asthma can be confirmed or ruled out, the doctor may also you about other conditions which may be present, such as eczema or hay fever. You may also be asked to keep a diary of the symptoms you or your child have and when they occur.

Medicines & Treatments

There are 380,000 people in Ireland living with asthma. Of these, more than half do not have their symptoms under control. This is a huge problem, as poor asthma control is linked to an increased risk of having an asthma attack.

To achieve and maintain good asthma control it’s essential you take your controller medication, every day, as prescribed. On the menu to the right, you’ll find all the information you need about the different types of medication available to treat asthma!

https://www.asthma.ie/ [1]