Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses, affecting over 339 million people worldwide. According
to the World Health Organisation, asthma kills around 1 000 people every day and the prevalance is rising.
What is asthma? The exact cause of asthma is unknown
Asthma is a chronic illness where your airways become
inflamed. This leads to narrowing or swelling of the
airways that results in extra mucous being produced,
which then makes it difficult to breathe. This chronic
illness can be life threatening when left untreated. It can
occur for the first time at any age, even in adulthood.
Although it usually begins before the age of five, a few
children affected will 'outgrow' the condition during their
teenage years; however, usually persists if contracted in
adulthood. However, research shows that the risk factors for
asthma are a combination of genetic predisposition,
environmental exposure to inhaled substances and
particles that may cause allergic reactions or irritate the
airways. Examples of these substances include indoor
allergens (such as dust mites and pet dander in the
home), outdoor allergens (such as pollen and mould),
tobacco smoke and air pollution.
Signs and symptoms
Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated. If
you fail to recognise and avoid triggers that lead to your
tightened airways, you may have an asthma attack, feel
respiratory distress or or it may become a life-threatening
situation. So, it’s important that you know how to avoid
the triggers and recognise the signs of this condition to
enjoy a better quality of life. Asthma symptoms can range
from mild to more serious, depending on the severity of
the illness. Symptoms include:
• Coughing that does not subside and gets worse at
night
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness or pain in the chest
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Other triggers can include cold air, extreme emotional
arousal, such as anger or fear and physical exercise.
Medical practitioners have found that certain
medications, such as aspirin and other nonsteroid
anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers (which are
used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and
migraine) can trigger asthma.
Book a visit with your GP
If you are experiencing asthma symptoms or think
you might have asthma, it is important for you
to talk to your GP about the symptoms you are
experiencing. This will help you establish if they
are linked to asthma or whether something else is
causing your symptoms.