Asthma

Winter brings the typical sounds of dry cough, wheeze and shortness of breath back to the doctor’s waiting rooms. These symptoms can be caused by asthma, which remains common: 1 in 9 adults and one in six children suffering from it in Australia. Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways, the cause of which is not known. This inflammation produces increased mucus plugging up the airways and also constriction of airway muscles further tightening smaller airways. Genetic factors can make asthma more likely , but asthma is also more common in hay fever and eczema suffers pointing in some cases towards allergy - so sometimes discussing allergy testing with your doctor might be worthwhile. Common triggers for asthma can be infections , pollen, exercise, smoking, drugs , fumes, chemicals , emotions, animal fur dust , dust mites even foods. Funny enough asthma is less common in children mixing and not overprotected from seasonal colds. Asthma might be more common, if your immune system is bored. Asthma usually cannot be cured, but symptoms and crisis can be managed and prevented. Many Olympic champions have asthma. Few Asthmatics might be lucky and have their specific allergies cured by desensitation therapy more and more available in general practice. Most people with asthma use at least 2 inhalers, little aerosol spray bottles or medicated powder delivery systems. Inhalers can be relievers, short-acting medicines opening up the airways. If symptoms more recurrent than preventers are used, steroid medications relieving inflammation at airway level. Long acting bronchodilators work like relievers but act up to 12 hours. Asthma sufferers sometimes have to use short courses of steroid tablets and there is now also an immune modulator available which can be used continuously in difficult to control cases. Many asthmatics tend to overuse their relievers , rather than using their preventive medicines. Medication use , inhaler technique , symptom control need regular checking by your asthma nurse or GP maybe as part of an asthma care plan appointment. Efficiency should be regularly controlled with spirometry - a computerized breathing test. Every asthmatic should have a specifically tailored asthma management plan entailing information to recognize symptoms and helping him to self-manage asthma , prevent and treat crisis. So it is not good enough to rock up at the local emergency department in desperation, but you should see your doctor or nurse at least yearly for an asthma check. Discuss Stop smoking if you still do and don’t forget the annual flue and 10 yearly pneumococcal vaccine.

Sources:
- www.nationalasthma.org.au
- Www.abc.net.au/health
- www.patient.co.uk
- www.medicareaustralia.gov.au


Helko Schenk
Geraldton Medical Group
8 6 2010