Asthma

People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When exposed to certain triggers, the muscles around the airways tighten, the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and swollen and extra mucus is secreted, resulting in narrower air passages and difficulties with breathing.

Symptoms

• A dry cough, especially at night, early in the morning and with exercise or activity
• Wheezing or whistling sound with breathing
• Breathlessnes
• Chest tightness.

What can trigger symptoms?

• Inhaled allergens (e.g., house dust mites, pollens, moulds, animal hair)
• Cigarette smoke
• Colds and flu
• Cold air or a drop in air temperature
• Exercise
• Certain medicines (e.g., aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta blockers (including some eye drops for glaucoma), echinacea)
• Air pollutants (e.g., dust, smoke)
• Strong smells and fumes (e.g., chemicals, paints, perfumes, cleaning agents)
• Emotion, stress, anxiety
• Some foods and food preservatives, flavourings and colourings
• Gastrointestinal reflux (heartburn).

Some people have ‘occupational asthma’ that is triggered by something associated with their work orworkplace.

Management

The management of asthma aims to keep a person fre of asthma symptoms and prevent lung damage from asthma. It involves avoiding or managing asthma triggers and correct use of asthma medicines. For best possible control of symptoms, people with asthma are advised to visit their doctor or health clinic regularly to:

• Asses asthma symptoms and severity
• Review asthma management and medicines
• Develop and review a written Asthma Action

Plan to manage worsening asthma.

Monitoring asthma

Two lung function tests are used to asses asthma symptoms and treatment:

• Spirometry – a spirometer machine accurately measures breathing.
• Peak Flow – a simple blowing test that can be done at home using a peak flow meter.

Medicines

Most asthma medicines are inhaled into the lungs through an inhaler device, but sometimes tablets, syrups or injections must be used. The main types of asthma medicines are called relievers, preventers and symptom controllers. For more information about asthma medicines read the Asthma Medicines fact card.

Pharmacy Self Care is a program of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

First Aid for Asthma

• Sit the person comfortably upright. Be calm and reassuring.
• Give 4 puffs of a blue Reliever inhaler (puffer) – Ventolin,Airomir,Bricanyl,Asmol or Epaq. Relievers are best given through a spacer, if available. Use 1 puf at a time and ask the person to take 4 breaths from the spacer after each puff. Use the person’s own inhaler if possible. If not, use the First Aid kit inhaler or borrow one from someone else.
• Wait 4 minutes. If there is no improvement, give another 4 puffs.
• If little or no improvement, CAL AN AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY (DIAL 000) and state that the person is having an asthma attack. Keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes until the ambulance arrives. Children: 4 puffs each time is a safe dose. Adults: up to 6 - 8 puffs every 5 minutes may be given for a severe attack while waiting for the ambulance.

With Spacer	Without Spacer
Shake inhaler and insert mouthpiece into spacer. Place spacer mouthpiece in person’s mouth and fire 1puff. Ask the person to breathe in and out normally for about 4 breaths. Repeat in quick succession until 4 puffs have been given.	Shake inhaler. Place mouthpiece in the person's mouth. Fire 1 puf as the person inhales slowly and steadily. Ask the person to hold that breath for 4 seconds, then take 4 normal breaths. Repeat until 4 puffs have been given.

This chart is a general guide only. It is not intended to be a substitute for individual medical advice/treatment. The National Asthma Council Australia expressly disclaims al responsibility (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or personal injury resulting from reliance on this information.

Self care

• Identify and manage asthma triggers.
• Keep using asthma medicines even when you feel well.
• Use inhalers correctly. Know how to care for and clean inhalers. Ask a pharmacist.
• Always carry a reliever with you.
• Monitor asthma symptoms and control regularly using a peak flow meter or an asthma assessment tool (e.g., asthma score). Ask a doctor, pharmacist or asthma educator for advice.
• Use your written Asthma Action Plan to manage worsening asthma.
• Don’t smoke and avoid other people’s smoke.
• Exercise regularly – always warm up and, if necessary, use your reliever or symptom controller before exercise. Ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before stopping or starting any medicines, including non-prescription and complementary medicines.

Related fact cards

• AsthmaMedicines
• ColdsandFlu
• Smokingseries

For more information

Asthma Foundations Australia – phone 180 645 130 or website www.asthmaaustralia.org.au.

National Asthma Council – phone 180 032 495 or website www.nationalasthma.org.au.

Asthma Score – website www.asthmascore.com.au.

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets – your pharmacist can advise on availability.

NPS Medicines Line – phone 130 88 763 Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST.

The Poisons Information Centre – in case of poisoning phone 13 1 26 from anywhere in Australia.

Pharmacy Self Care Support – phone 130 369 772 and ask for the Pharmacy Self Care Field Officer. Pharmacists are medicine experts. Ask a pharmacist for advice when choosing a medicine.

This Fact Card is sponsored by GSK through an educational grant. GSK accepts no responsibility for the contents.

Pharmacy Self Care is committed to providing current and reliable health information.
Information in this card was current at the time of printing: PublishedFebruary2008.
Information expires February 2009.
©Pharmaceutical Society ofAustralia www.psa.org.