Living with
Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is an inflammatory condition that causes breathing difficulties. If you have asthma, the muscles in your airways may unnaturally constrict causing the airways to become swollen and narrow. You may also have extra mucous in your airways.
This typically causes you to experience a wheeze (whistling sound) on exhaling during breathing and shortness of breath.

 

Asthma is more common in children, and while it cannot be cured, its symptoms can be managed. The condition can interfere with your daily activities and may lead to life-threatening asthma attacks, so it is important to manage the condition properly, including taking your medication correctly.

How do you know you have asthma?

Asthma symptoms can vary; for example, you may only have symptoms at certain times, such as during exercise, or you may experience symptoms more frequently.

 

Common symptoms of asthma include:

  • Coughing, which is usually worse in the morning or at night, or that is worsened by viral infection, such as with a cold or the flu.
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tightness, pain or pressure in your chest
  • Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing) (this is a common sign of asthma in children)
  • Trouble sleeping caused by breathing problems.

When to see your doctor:

Because severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening, you must know when your symptoms are worsening and when you need emergency treatment, such as:

  • Sudden and rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing with no improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler.
  • Breathlessness when you are doing mild physical activity that usually does not affect your breathing.
  • If your medication does not seem to ease your symptoms and you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often.

What causes asthma?

According to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), almost 4 million South Africans have asthma, including 10 % of children and 5 % of adults.

It Is not entirely clear what predisposes people to getting asthma, but it is thought that it is due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

 

The different types of asthma and their causes include:

  • Exercise-induced asthma which is brought on by physical activity and may worsen in cold, dry weather conditions.
  • Occupational asthma which can be triggered by workplace irritants such as chemicals in dusts or fumes.
  • Allergy-induced asthma which is usually triggered by airborne substances that produce allergies (allergens), such as pollen, mould spores and pet dander.

Factors that can aggravate your symptoms and which can cause an asthma attack include:

A number of factors are thought to increase your risk of developing asthma, including:

  • A family history: Having a close family relative, such as a parent or sibling, with asthma, means that you are also at increased risk of developing asthma.
  • Atopy: If you have another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis or hay fever, increases your risk of developing asthma.
  • Lifestyle factors: Being overweight or obese, cigarette smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, exposure to air pollution (such as car fumes) and exposure to occupational triggers (such as chemicals used in agriculture, hairdressing and manufacturing), all increase your risk of developing asthma or aggravating your asthma symptoms.

 

 

Living and managing

Some tips to help you manage your asthma symptoms and avoid asthma attacks include:

  • Follow your asthma action plan, including a treatment/medication plan: Speak to your doctor about how exactly to take your medication and be sure to follow the instructions.
    Taking control of your treatment can make you feel more in control of your life.
    It is very important that you do not change your medications without first talking to your doctor, even if your asthma symptoms seem to be improving.
  • Identify and avoid your asthma triggers: A number of outdoor allergens (like pollen) can trigger asthma attacks.
    Find out what causes or worsens your asthma and take steps to avoid these. This includes making your home allergy-free.
  • Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia: Staying current with vaccinations can prevent flu and lower respiratory tract infections, which can trigger asthma attacks.
  • Identify and treat asthma symptoms early: If you act quickly, you are less likely to have an asthma attack.
    Be able to identify symptoms such as breathing changes and a wheeze. Or, you can also use your peak flow measurements to alert you to an oncoming attack.
    Once you have recognised your symptoms, take your medication as planned. Also, immediately stop any activity that may have triggered the attack.
    If your symptoms do not improve, get medical help.
  • Pay attention to how often you use your quick-relief inhaler: If are relying on your quick-relief inhaler too much, your asthma may not be under control and you will need to see your doctor about adjusting your treatment.
  • Stay generally healthy: Regular exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, which helps relieve asthma symptoms. If you exercise in cold temperatures, you can wear a face mask to help warm and moisten the air you breathe.
    Also maintain a healthy weight through a healthy diet and manage stress, as being overweight and experiencing emotional distress can worsen asthma symptoms. Additionally, avoid cigarette smoke as a known trigger of asthma symptoms. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking.
  • Control heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Acid reflux that causes heartburn may damage lung airways and worsen asthma symptoms. If you have frequent or constant heartburn, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
  • Support your child if they have asthma: Encourage your child by focusing your attention on the things can do. Involve teachers, coaches, friends and relatives in helping your child manage asthma.

What treatment is available for asthma?

The right medications for your asthma depends on your age, symptoms and triggers, amongst other things.

Preventive, long-term control means reducing swelling (inflammation) in your airways that leads to symptoms, while quick-relief inhalers (bronchodilators) quickly open up swollen airways that are limiting breathing. You may also need allergy medications.

 

Long-term asthma control medications are generally taken daily and keep asthma under control so that you are less likely to have an asthma attack.

Types of long-term control medications re usually taken as inhalers and include:

  • Inhaled corticosteroids: These medications include fluticasone propionate, budesonide, ciclesonide, beclomethasone, mometasone, and fluticasone furoate. You may need to use these medications for several days to weeks before they you feel they exert a beneficial effect. Unlike oral corticosteroids, inhaled corticosteroids have a relatively low risk of serious side-effects.
  • Leukotriene modifiers: These oral medications (montelukast, zafirlukast and zileuton) help relieve asthma symptoms. However, some of these medications have been linked to psychological reactions, such as agitation, aggression, hallucinations and depression. Seek medical advice right away if you experience any of these reactions when taking these medications.
  • Combination inhalers: These medications (such as fluticasone-salmeterol, budesonide-formoterol, formoterol-mometasone and fluticasone furoate-vilanterol) contain a long-acting beta-agonist (see under quick-relief medications) along with a corticosteroid.
  • Theophylline: This is a daily oral medication (tablet) that helps relax the muscles around the airways. You may need to have a blood test for your doctor to prescribe this medication.

Quick-relief (rescue) medications are used as needed for quick but short-term relief of symptoms. They may also be used before exercise if recommended by your doctor.

 

Types of quick-relief medications include:

  • Short-acting beta-agonists: These are typically inhaled using a portable, hand-held inhaler or nebuliser (a machine that converts asthma medications to a fine mist inhaled through a mouthpiece or face mask), and rapidly cause your airways to open (bronchodilators).
    Beta-agonists typically exert an effect within minutes to especially relieve symptoms during an asthma attack. They include salbutamol.
    However, you should not be using you your quick-reliever pump often as it shows that your asthma is not being managed properly. Therefore, keep a record of how many puffs you use per day or week, and if you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often than your doctor recommends, see your doctor who will probably have to adjust your long-term control medication.
  • Anticholinergic agents: These are also bronchodilators and include ipratropium and tiotropium. These medications act quickly to immediately relax the muscles in your airways, making it easier to breathe. They are mostly used for management of chronic obstructive disorder (COPD) but are also used for the treatment of asthma.
  • Oral and intravenous corticosteroids: These medications, which include prednisone, relieve inflammation in the airways. However, they can cause serious side-effects when used over a long term. Therefore, these drugs are usually only used on a short-term basis.

What are the potential complications of asthma?

If your asthma is not managed properly, you can experience complications, including

  • Problems with sleep, work and other activities, including sick days from work or school during asthma flare-ups and emergency room visits and hospitalisations for severe asthma attacks.
  • Side effects from long-term use of some medications, especially corticosteroids or theophylline.
  • Airway remodelling from chronic inflammation in the airways that causes airway wall to thicken and increased mucous production, leading to coughing and difficulties with breathing.
  • Asthma attacks and respiratory failure: Respiratory failure occurs when not enough oxygen can get from your lungs to your blood. While life-threatening asthma is rare, it typically causes symptoms that worsen over several days.
  • Status asthmaticus which is an extreme form of sudden asthma exacerbation that is life-threatening and, as such, constitutes a medical emergency.
Sources

Statistics: Dheda Keertan. (2016) South Africa has world’s fourth highest asthma death rate. Health24. Available from: https://www.health24.com/Medical/Asthma/News/South-Africa-has-worlds-fourth-highest-asthma-death-rate-20130210

 

The Global Asthma Network. (2018) The Global Asthma Report 2018. Available from: http://www.globalasthmareport.org/management/southafrica.php#:~:text=South%20Africa%20is%20ranked%2025th,%2C%20Figures%201%20and%202).

 

Department of Health. (2012) What is Asthma? Western Cape Government. Available from: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/what-asthma

 

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. (n.d.) Asthma Overview. Available from: https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/asthma

 

National Health Service, UK. (n.d.) Overview – Asthma. NHS, UK. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/

 

Nannini, L. J., Lasserson, T. J., & Poole, P. (2012). Combined corticosteroid and long-acting beta(2)-agonist in one inhaler versus long-acting beta(2)-agonists for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012(9), CD006829. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006829.pub2

 

National Institutes of Health, US. (2014) Asthma. National Heart, Lund and Blood Institute, US. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma

 

Elidemir Okan. (2019). Asthma. KidsHealth. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/asthma-basics.html

 

Meth M. (2020) What Do You Want to Know About Asthma? Healthline. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma#symptoms

 

Mayo Clinic staff. (n.d.) Disease and Conditions: Asthma. Mayo Clinic. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653

 

Mayo Clinic staff. (n.d.) Diagnosis and Treatment: Asthma. Mayo Clinic. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369660

 

Chakraborty R, Basnet S. (2020) Status Asthmaticus. StatPearls Treasure Island (FL). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526070/

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Sources

Statistics: Dheda Keertan. (2016) South Africa has world’s fourth highest asthma death rate. Health24. Available from: https://www.health24.com/Medical/Asthma/News/South-Africa-has-worlds-fourth-highest-asthma-death-rate-20130210

 

The Global Asthma Network. (2018) The Global Asthma Report 2018. Available from: http://www.globalasthmareport.org/management/southafrica.php#:~:text=South%20Africa%20is%20ranked%2025th,%2C%20Figures%201%20and%202).

 

Department of Health. (2012) What is Asthma? Western Cape Government. Available from: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/what-asthma

 

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. (n.d.) Asthma Overview. Available from: https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/asthma

 

National Health Service, UK. (n.d.) Overview – Asthma. NHS, UK. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/

 

Nannini, L. J., Lasserson, T. J., & Poole, P. (2012). Combined corticosteroid and long-acting beta(2)-agonist in one inhaler versus long-acting beta(2)-agonists for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012(9), CD006829. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006829.pub2

 

National Institutes of Health, US. (2014) Asthma. National Heart, Lund and Blood Institute, US. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma

 

Elidemir Okan. (2019). Asthma. KidsHealth. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/asthma-basics.html

 

Meth M. (2020) What Do You Want to Know About Asthma? Healthline. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma#symptoms

 

Mayo Clinic staff. (n.d.) Disease and Conditions: Asthma. Mayo Clinic. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653

 

Mayo Clinic staff. (n.d.) Diagnosis and Treatment: Asthma. Mayo Clinic. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369660

 

Chakraborty R, Basnet S. (2020) Status Asthmaticus. StatPearls Treasure Island (FL). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526070/

Asthma by topic

These articles are for information purposes only. It cannot replace the diagnosis of a healthcare provider. Pharma Dynamics gives no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in such articles and shall not, under any circumstances, be liable for any consequences which may be suffered as a result of a user’s reliance thereon.

The information the reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the South Africa regulatory requirements. Information relevant to the South African environment is available from the Company and in the Professional Information/Patient Information Leaflet/Instructions for Use approved by the Regulatory Authority.

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