About Asthma

Asthma is a condition that affects the small airways in the lungs that carry air in and out of the body. People with asthma have sensitive airways that over-react to triggers.

The triggers make the airways tighten and become swollen inside and they also produce more mucus. All these factors make it difficult to move air through the airway.

Signs of asthma

• Feeling short of breath
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheeze (whistling sound when breathing)
• Cough

These signs may vary from person to person. Sometimes they happen quite suddenly and sometimes may occur over a longer period of time.

Management

Asthma can't be cured but it can be controlled so that it has as little impact as possible on a person's daily life and aspirations.

• Identify and manage triggers: Triggers are the things that set asthma off. They vary from person to person.
• Medications: Medications can help prevent the airways from over-reacting to triggers and can also help relieve the tightness and swelling in the airways. Asthma medication is usually taken via an inhaler and it may be necessary to take more than one type of medication to help control the asthma. It is important to use the inhaler correctly - an asthma educator, nurse or doctor can help with this.
• A Management Plan: This is an individual written guide to managing asthma that gives a reminder of what to do to manage your asthma, when to make changes and who to call. Your asthma educator or doctor can provide a management plan but it is important to have it reviewed at least twice a year.

More information can be found at www.asthmanz.co.nz.