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Learn about asthma

Asthma is a common condition that is not always simple to understand. People experience different symptoms, levels of severity, and triggers. 

The first step to managing asthma well, is to learn as much as you can about the condition and the steps you can put in place to control it.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

If you have asthma you might sometimes feel:

  • wheezy (your breath might 'whistle' in and out)
  • short of breath
  • tight in the chest
  • or you might have a cough

You may experience one of these symptoms or a combination of them. Symptoms may occur suddenly as an 'asthma attack', or they may be with you most of the time. Often people with asthma, get hay fever or eczema as well, and a family history of these conditions.

What is asthma?

People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. The airways may tighten, partially close up, swell inside, and make more mucus, when faced with certain triggers. This makes it hard to breathe in and even harder to breathe out.

 

 

 

What causes asthma?

We don't know why so many people have asthma. We do know that it is most common in English speaking countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.

It may be related to 'modern living' - perhaps to changes to the environment, our diet, or different exposure to some infections. It is likely that all of these things have an effect, and hopefully in the future researchers will come up with a way of preventing people getting asthma.

Asthma cannot be cured, although there may be 'good' times in your life when you think it has gone away.  Most of the time people find they can manage their condition, and with the right information, education and attitude, you can manage your asthma so that you can go about day-to-day life without symptoms.

Is asthma dangerous?

For most people asthma is just something they need to be a bit careful about. However, every year, some people do die from asthma.

It is important you know exactly what to do if you have a severe attack. Your Self Management Plan can help you to learn what to do as your asthma improves or gets worse.