Asthma literally takes your breath away
Asthma affects millions of sufferers worldwide
Asthma is a condition that affects your airways, causing them to narrow and produce extra mucus and making breathing difficult.
For some, asthma is merely a nuisance while for others it can be a serious problem that has an impact on their daily activities and may even lead to a life threatening asthma attack.
The symptoms of asthma vary for each individual, attacks may be infrequent or you may only exhibit symptoms at certain times – such as during exercise.
Symptoms of asthma may include:
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest tightness or pain.
- Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.
- A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (common in children).
- Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.
While there is no cure for asthma, the symptoms can be controlled with proper treatment. Asthma often changes over time, so it is vital to work with a doctor to stay abreast of the signs and symptoms and adjust your treatment as needed.
- Asthmatic symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome.
- Increased difficulty breathing, which is measurable with a peak flow meter (a device used to check how well your lungs are working).
- The need to use an inhaler more often.
For many people the symptoms of asthma can flare up in situations such as when you exercise – particularly in cold or dry air, if you deal with workplace irritants like chemical fumes, gasses or dust and allergy-induced asthma triggered by substances such as pollen, mould spores or pet dander (hair saliva) among others.
Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening so it is important to be prepared.
Always have your inhaler handy and make sure that friends and co-workers know how to recognise the signs of a severe attack.
An asthma attack is characterised by rapid worsening of shortness of breath, no improvement even with the use of an inhaler, a tight chest or shortness of breath even if you are not engaged in physical activity.
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