Asthma

Asthma causes the muscles in the airways to tighten and the lining of the airway becomes swollen and inflamed, producing sticky mucous. These changes cause the airways to become narrow, making it difficult to breathe. It is often associated with other allergic conditions like hay fever and eczema.

Asthma triggers

The triggers for asthma symptoms vary for different people. Some common triggers are:

• allergy triggers such as house dust mites, pollens, pets and moulds
• cigarette smoke
• viral infections – for example, colds and flu
• cold air or changes in the weather

Symptoms of asthma

Asthma tends to run in families. Asthma affects everyone differently, and two children from the same family can have different asthma patterns and triggers.

Typical asthma symptoms include:

• wheezing – a whistling noise when breathing
• shortness of breath
• a tight feeling in the chest
• coughing

These symptoms are often worse at night, in the early morning or during exercise.

Where to get help:

• National Asthma Council of Australia Tel. 1800 032 495

Source: Better Health Channel