All About Asthma

• What is asthma?
• What happens in the lungs?
• Symptoms of asthma
• Symptoms may come and go
• An acute episode
• So why does it get worse?
• How asthma can be managed

Asthma can be a worrying condition, this internet site has been designed to help you understand asthma and hopefully answer some of your concerns. If you need further information please contact your asthma nurse, doctor or practice nurse, or your local asthma society. You may want to call the Asthma information line in Auckland 09 623 0236

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition of the bronchioles, or small airways, inside the lungs. Airways are passages through which air flows, providing oxygen an essential ingredient in maintaining life in the body. Since we need oxygen to live, if there is a lack of it, it is very distressing and even dangerous. This section is designed to provide you with some knowledge on asthma. You will find more detailed knowledge on specific topics elsewhere on the website. A range of printed pamphlets is also available from Asthma New Zealand – The Lung Association and its affiliates.

What happens in the lungs?

Normal airways

Irritated airways

The airways in a person who has asthma are oversensitive (allergic), and are irritated easily. The irritation causes the inside of the airway to become red and swollen (inflammation) and the muscles surrounding the airway walls tighten (bronchoconstriction). These two processes narrow the airway passages, making breathing very difficult at times.

 

Symptoms of asthma

• Cough - this is the most common symptom and is usually dry and persistent. Coughing can occur any time, but is often worse at night and after exercise.
• Wheezing - a high-pitched wind blowing noise, usually heard on breathing out.
• Shortness of breath - breathing is fast and shallow. Unable to get enough air into the lungs.
• Chest Tightness - The chest feels ‘tight’ and unable to expand freely when breathing.

Triggers

Common triggers are: House dust mites Pollen Pets - e.g. cats Cigarette smoke Weather changes - e.g. drop in temperature   Colds & Flu Exercise Stress Perfume Some medications

Symptoms may come and go

One of the important features of asthma is that symptoms vary from person to person and may vary from day to day. One day symptoms may be not so bad, while another day you may have difficulty performing the easiest of daily activities.

Another important feature of asthma is that it is chronic, that means it is present in the airways all the time. It can become acute when symptoms get a lot worse this is when it is most distressing. The airways have become so narrow, it makes breathing very difficult.

An acute episode is recognised with the following signs:

• Difficulty speaking - shortness of breath leads to difficulty speaking. May be unable to finish a sentence without inhaling, in the very acute phase can only say one word with each breath.
• Breathless - breathing rate increases
• Raising shoulders - as breathing becomes more difficult, the muscles at the base of the neck, along with the abdominal muscles, draw in and shoulders lift up.
• Blueness around the mouth and finger tips – because less oxygen is available to the body it shows in a bluish tinge at the mouth and fingers. This is a late sign and is an emergency.
• Wheezing - becomes louder as asthma symptoms get worse. If wheezing disappears and no improvement of symptoms it is a sign of great urgency.
  
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So why does it get worse?

Asthma symptoms are made worse when you are exposed to a TRIGGER. Triggers are substances in the air/or which are taken by mouth and cause an increase in the irritation of the airways.

You may have one, a couple or several triggers. Your doctor can help establish what your triggers are by asking you to get a skin prick test. Staying away from triggers is one way to help control your asthma.

For some of the common triggers of Asthma, see "Triggers" to the right or go to the Downloads page for more information about allergies and triggers.

How asthma can be managed

While there’s no cure for asthma, it can be managed successfully by:

• Understanding as much as possible about asthma
• Working in partnership with your practice nurse and doctor to manage asthma
• Knowing about prescribed asthma medicine - how to take it correctly and how it works.
• Taking your preventer asthma medication every day
• Using a self management plan when needed
• Finding out what your asthma triggers are and then avoiding them.
• Recognising when your asthma is getting worse and what to do.
• Monitoring your asthma with a peak flow meter and seeking regular reviews by a nurse/doctor.
• Keeping up-to-date with information by joining your local asthma society.