About Asthma.

Asthma is a condition can make it difficult to breathe and in some cases it can be very serious. It affects the small airways in the lungs that carry air in and out of the body. People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. The airways may tighten, partially close up, swell inside, and make more mucous when faced with certain triggers. This makes it hard to breathe in, and even harder to breathe out.

A person with sensitive airways may be irritated by a trigger in the environment (such as pollen), by an illness, or by an emotion (such as anxiety). Some of the asthma triggers like pollen and pet fur, contain allergens. Allergens are tiny substances that are usually harmless, but they can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

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.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma has four main symptoms:

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

What happens in an asthma attack?

In an asthma attack, symptoms of coughing, breathlessness, wheezing or tightness in the chest get worse, so the person finds it difficult to breathe. Some people say it feels like they have something heavy on their chest or that their chest feels tight. It can be so hard to breathe it becomes painful and for some, can be quite scary.

How we can help with your asthma

Understanding your asthma and triggers can help manage the condition and allow you to have a full and active life. Our Respiratory Nurse Educators provide free individual consultations and education to help you understand more about your, or your child’s, asthma and what you can do to manage it. We can also help you create a self-management plan. Appointments can be at our clinic or in your home - contact us if you need our help.

About Breathing Conditions / About Asthma