A Breath Of Air

Just imagine not being able to get enough air, you’re wheezing and gasping but you still can't get in enough air to move or maybe even to speak. That's what an asthma attack feels like!


Asthma is a condition that affects the smaller airways (bronchioles) of the lungs. It is caused by inflammation in the airways. The inflammation irritates the muscles around the airways, and causes them to squeeze, making it more difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs. This causes the typical symptoms. The inflammation also causes the lining of the airways to make extra mucus which causes cough and further obstruction to airflow. Asthma therefore represents varying degrees of dysfunction of the respiratory system such that there is partial or total impairment of respiratory gaseous exchange. The extent of the narrowing, and how long each episode lasts, can vary greatly.


Asthma can start at any age, but it most commonly starts in childhood.It can also be hereditary.
Asthma symptoms (coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath) are triggered, or made worse, in certain situations. Avoidance of the allergens and triggers, greatly help to reduce symptoms.


Things that may trigger asthma symptoms include the following:
Infections, Pollens, moulds, very cold weather, Smoking and cigarette fumes, chemicals, strong smells, Exercise (an inhaler can be used before exercise to prevent symptoms from developing.), Certain medicines – medicines like aspirin and other anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc are capable of triggering asthma. Beta-blockers such as propranolol, atenolol, or timolol have also been implicated. This includes beta-blocker eye drops used to treat glaucoma.
Emotion - asthma is not a nervous disorder, but such things as stress, emotional upset, or laughing may trigger symptoms.
Allergies to animals - Pet cats, dogs, and horses are capable of triggering the symptoms.


In Asthma management, the body’s reaction to the allergen could be treated or the lungs and asthmatic symptoms managed. The former acts over the long-term and the drugs are taken every day while the later works quickly to ease symptoms during asthma attack. The long term preventive medicines include inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta agonists. It is important to note that an asthmatic should take these preventive medicines even if he feels well as they help to suppress the symptoms.


What is an asthma action plan?
An asthma action plan is a plan that has been agreed to, by a patient and a healthcare provider. The plan enables the patient to make adjustments to the dose of inhalers, depending on the symptoms and/or peak flow readings. This means stepping up or reducing the dose of the drugs based on the symptoms. The plan is tailored to individual circumstances. The plan is written down by a healthcare professional, usually on a standard form, for reference by the patient. Research studies suggest that people who complete personal asthma action plans find it easier to manage their asthma symptoms and that their plan helps them to go about their lives as normal.


How well do you use the inhalers?
A lot of benefits can be got by imbibing the correct inhaler technique. The drug is transported better to the lungs where it is needed and the quantity of the drug that gets deposited on the tongue and at the back of the throat is greatly reduced. It is advised to breath out fully just before using the inhaler. When you breathe out fully (or as much as you comfortably can) just before taking your inhaler, you create more space in your airways for your next breath in. This means that you can breathe in deeper and for longer when you inhale your asthma medicine - giving it the best chance of reaching the small airways deep inside your lungs.
It's very important to hold your breath after inhaling the medicine, for as long as you can. This gives more time for the medicine to get into your lungs. If you can hold your breath for 10 seconds, this is ideal but if this isn't possible, you will still benefit by holding it for as long as you feel comfortable.


Using a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI):
•    Shake your MDI before use: If you don't shake the canister, the asthma medicine and propellant (the substance which helps turn the medicine into aerosol form) will not mix together properly and too much or too little of one will be released.
•    Uncap the inhaler
•    Exhale deeply
•    Place the mouthpiece of the inhaler in the mouth and close your mouth over the inhaler
•    Press the inhaler and inhale slowly
•    Hold your breath for a while
•    Repeat procedure
•    Cap inhaler and store in a safe place.


Spacer devices are used with some types of inhaler. They are commonly used by children, but can also be used by adults. A spacer is like a small plastic chamber that attaches to the inhaler. It holds the medicine like a reservoir when the inhaler is pressed. A valve at the mouth end ensures that the medicine is kept within the spacer until it is inhaled.