COPD management
Asthma is a long-term condition affecting the airways in our lungs.
With Asthma, immune cells in our airways become sensitive and react to triggers such as smoke or vape, dust, exercise, pollen, cold air, viruses and some medications (to name a few). These triggers cause the airways to tighten on the outside, swell on the inside and produce extra mucous, making the airways narrower and the passage of air in and out of our lungs harder. An important part of managing your Asthma is knowing what triggers it and avoiding these triggers where possible.
Our airways are vital because they move air in and out of our lungs (we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide). Without them, we would not survive.
If you think you or someone you care for might have asthma, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible. Going through the process of getting a diagnosis will tell you whether your breathing symptoms are being caused by asthma. A diagnosis will help you to manage your asthma and understand how to prevent symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness and coughing. It will also help you learn how to treat them.
At your appointment your doctor will ask you questions about your and your family’s medical history. They may also ask for details about your symptoms such as:
- when, where, and what makes your symptoms worse
- how often and how serious your symptoms have been.
If you have eczema or hay fever, or have close relatives with allergies or asthma, a diagnosis is more likely. Asthma is also more likely to be diagnosed if your symptoms:
- keep coming back, or happen at the same time each year
- are worse at night or in the early morning
- are clearly triggered by exercise, allergies or infections, or have a seasonal pattern
- improve quickly with reliever medication.
If you have been told that you had asthma symptoms as a child or get symptoms every now and then (for example when exercising or during spring) it’s important to visit your doctor to find out if it’s asthma.
There is no single test for asthma. Your doctor will use the information about your symptoms and health to work out whether you need to have:
- spirometry (breathing or lung function) test –this is suitable for most adults and kids aged six and older
- allergy testing
- treatment trial (this means starting asthma treatment and seeing if it’s effective).