Asthma Symptoms, Management & Treatment

Asthma Self-Assessment

Use this self-assessment to find out if you might have asthma. It will help you to understand what the symptoms are and will give advice on treatment.

Asthma Symptoms

The most usual signs and symptom is hissing. This is a scratchy or whistling audio when you take a breath. Various other signs and symptoms consist of:
• Lack of breath
• Chest rigidity or discomfort
• Persistent coughing
• Problem sleeping as a result of coughing or hissing

Asthma signs, also called asthma flare-ups or bronchial asthma strikes, are usually triggered by allergies and exposure to irritants such as pet dander, dirt termites, pollen or mold and mildew. Non-allergic triggers consist of smoke, air pollution or cold air or changes in weather.

Asthma symptoms might be even worse during workout, when you have a cold or throughout times of high stress and anxiety.

Kids with asthma could show the exact same symptoms as adults with asthma: coughing, wheezing as well as shortness of breath. In some children chronic cough may be the only signs and symptom.

Patterns in bronchial asthma symptoms are essential as well as could aid your physician make a medical diagnosis. Take note of when signs and symptoms take place:
• During the night or early morning
• During or after workout
• Throughout specific seasons
• After laughing or weeping
• When exposed to usual asthma sets off

Asthma Treatment & Management

There is no cure for asthma, but symptoms can be controlled with effective asthma treatment and management. This involves taking your medications as directed and learning to avoid triggers that cause your asthma symptoms. Your allergist will prescribe the best medications for your condition and provide you with specific instructions for using them.

• Reliever inhalers – inhalers used when needed to quickly relieve asthma symptoms for a short time.

  Reliever inhalers, which are usually blue, are taken when needed to relieve asthma symptoms quickly.

  They normally contain a medicine called a short-acting beta2-agonist, which widens the airways and makes breathing easier. They typically work for no more than 15 minutes or so.

  Everyone with asthma should have a reliever inhaler, although you ideally shouldn’t need to use it very often. You may not need it at all if you are using a regular preventer inhaler

  Ventolin Inhaler

• Bricanyl Turbohaler
• Symbicort Turbohaler
• Serevent Inhaler
• Salbutamol Inhaler

• Preventer inhalers – inhalers used regularly every day to reduce the inflammation in the breathing tubes, which prevents asthma symptoms occurring.Preventer inhalers, which are usually brown or orange, are used twice or occasionally once a day to stop asthma symptoms occurring.They contain inhaled steroid medication, which works by reducing the inflammation (swelling) and sensitivity of the airways.Preventer inhalers are usually recommended if you have asthma symptoms more than twice a week. It’s important to use them regularly even if you don’t have symptoms, because they keep the inflammation in the breathing tubes under control, and this can get worse again if you stop using your inhaler.Preventer inhalers don’t work straight away, so you’ll need to keep using your reliever inhaler to begin with. You may also need to use your reliever inhaler if you do experience any occasional symptoms.Speak to your GP or asthma nurse if you continue to have frequent symptoms while using a preventer inhaler.Preventer inhalers are very safe at usual doses, but they can cause side effects at high doses, especially with long-term use.
• Qvar Inhaler
• Clenil Inhaler
• Flixotide Inhaler
• Seretide Inhaler