health ABC > Asthma
Asthma: how to handle it at school?
Let the school know that your child has asthma and what medication she may need to take while she is at school. Provide the school with an Asthma Action Plan which gives them instructions on ...read more
Asthma: increasing at a worrying rate
Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions in the world. In this country alone, one adult in 25 and one child in seven gets the irritating cough and breathlessness t...read more
Asthma: what is it and what are the symptoms
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Cross section of airways with and without inflammation and smooth muscle contraction. When a pers...read more
Asthmatics can lead normal lives
Asthma affects about 10% of people – and prevalence rates are increasing by the day.The condition usually causes symptoms over a prolonged period, but once you are diagnosed with asthma and get treatmen...read more
Beware of the dust mites
House-dust mites Many people with asthma are sensitive to the droppings of house-dust mites. These are tiny creatures that live in the dust that builds up around the house, in carpets, bedding, soft furnishi...read more
Breathing through a straw...
Can you imagine what it must feel like trying to breathe through a straw? Many asthmatics are familiar with that sensation, as it is what they experience during an asthma attack. Asthma is a particular concer...read more
Can asthma be prevented?
We don't yet know how to prevent asthma, but there are some things that can lower your chances of having an asthma attack.To prevent asthma symptoms: Learn about your asthma and ho...read more
Can exercise help control asthma?
Active asthmatics, particularly those who are competitive sportspeople, report that they feel more in control of their asthma when they’re fit. Certainly, acute attacks are uncommon in highly trained as...read more
Control your asthma at work
Some jobs involve exposure to substances known to trigger or even induce asthma. Occupational Asthma can be a serious problem. More than 200 substances have been reported as triggers forControlling your asthma
If your asthma is under control you are more likely to have a better quality of life and be more able to do the things you want to. Is your asthma under control? Three questions can help you to identify wheth...read more
Description of an asthma attack
"I couldn't breathe. I was really frightened!"An asthma attack is a frightening experience for everyone concerned, whether it is the first or hundredth time it has occurred. It is a gasping, painful...read more
Diagnosing asthma
Diagnosing asthma is the first step towards effective treatment. Studies show that up to half of all asthmatics do not receive proper treatment because they don’t recognise the signs, and so they suff...read more
Diagnosing asthma
Many people with asthma don’t know that they have the disease. In young patients with recurrent coughing and wheezing the diagnosis of asthma is not always straightforward, and it is important to think ...read more
Diagnosing asthma in children: the symptoms
Diagnosing asthma in infants and toddlers can be difficult as many children wheeze and suffer recurrent colds, especially if they go to a crèche or day mother where they’re exposed to other child...read more
Different types of asthma
Asthma is divided into four main types depending on the frequency and severity of the symptoms (chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing) before any medication or treatment is started. Asthma ...read more
Explaining asthma to younger children
For young children, asthma is a frightening experience and for parents it can be difficult to explain what’s going on. It is hoped that through this website that you may be in a better position to expla...read more
From a simple cold to hormones
Colds & viral infections Colds and viral infections are very common triggers of asthma. They are also almost impossible to avoid. At your asthma review you should talk to your doctor or ...read more
General asthma tips for parents
Do I need to take extra care of my child? Can my child play sport? Will she be safe sleeping at a friend’s house? It is natural for parents to worry about their child’s asthma and it is stressful watching your ch...read more
Has your child got asthma ?
Diagnosing asthma Diagnosing asthma in very young children can be difficult because: At least one child in seven will have 'wheezing' at some point during their first five yea...read more
How do you treat asthma in children?
Children usually use the same medication as adults.The amount and type of medication will depend on the severity of the asthma. The approach to treatment in children (as in adults) is to &quo...read more
Inhalers to treat asthma
Although there is no cure for asthma, there are some excellent medicines available to help you to control your asthma so that is does not interfere with your daily life. It is important that ...read more
Introduction to asthma treatments
Asthma is an individual condition, it varies from person to person. Health professionals are advisers to your health, but ultimately you decide which treatment is best for you.The aim of con...read more
Keeping allergies and asthma under control
Allergies can be controlled largely by controlling your environment. Keep pets outside or confined to carpet-free areas outside the bedroom, make sure your home is free of house mice and cockroaches. Air clea...read more
Living with asthma
If you have asthma, it is important to learn how to take care of yourself. Work with your doctor on a daily asthma self-management plan that you are both happy with. Tell your doctor about all othe...read more
Living with asthma
As an asthmatic, life can sometimes feel a struggle. Once asthma develops, it can change your approach to different situations and can also affect you differently at various stages of your life. Sometimes, yo...read more
Occupational allergies: allergic disease in the workplace
Allergies in the workplace are being more readily identified and are now a significant source of illness. Occupational disease of the skin my take the form of allergic contact dermatitis fro...read more
Occupational asthma: what is it and what causes it ?
What is occupational asthma? Some substances that you might come across at work can actually cause asthma. The condition can take weeks, months or even years to develop, depending on the person and the subst...read more
Side effects of asthma medicines
Side effects of reliever medicines Relievers are a safe and effective medicine and have very few side effects. You cannot overdose on reliever medicine. Some relievers can temporarily increase your heartbeat...read more
Some information about asthma
"Asthma" comes from the ancient Greek word meaning, "panting" and, if you've experienced an asthma attack, you'll understand why! For some, an asthma attack feels as thoug...read more
Some information about preventer inhalers
Preventer inhalers Outline drawing of a metered dose inhaler. Preventers control the swelling and inflammation in the airways, stopping them from being so sensitive and reducing the risk of severe attacks. N...read more
Some key points regarding asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. In asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed, or swollen. The infla...read more
Sport and asthma
Exercise often leads to wheezing and coughing in people who have asthma. This type of asthma is known as Exercise Induced asthma (EIA).Some people only experience asthma duri...read more
Steroids and spacers to help asthmatics
Steroid tablets If your asthma symptoms become severe, your doctor or asthma nurse may give you a short course (3-14 days) of steroid tablets. Steroid tablets work quickly and powerfully to ...read more
Symptoms of asthma
Asthma symptoms vary from person to person and within each individual over time. Asthma attacks can range from mild to severe and can change severity at any given time. Symptoms vary dependin...read more
The asthma-allergy connection
Since her first attack in 1999, we've learned a lot about asthma. It is a chronic lung disease that is frequently characterized by tightening of the chest wall, inflammation, wheezing, and in...read more
The daily, long-term treatment of asthma
Corticosteroids, cromolyns and leukotriene inhibitors are long-term control medications that control and prevent inflammation in the lining of the bronchi and help stop or reduce swelling and...read more
The treatment of acute asthma attacks
Description Inhaled bronchodilators (most often) Theophyllines (in extreme cases) Bronchospasm is one of the major causes of cough, wheezing and che...read more
Things that can cause asthma
What causes asthma? It is not clear exactly what makes the airways of people with asthma inflamed in the first place. Your inflamed airways may be due to a combination of things. We know that if other people...read more
Thunderstorms can trigger your asthma
Pollen Pollen can trigger asthma symptoms in some people. If your asthma is triggered by pollen, try the following to reduce your asthma in the pollen season: Review your treatmen...read more
Travelling with asthma
As soon as you are aware of an upcoming trip, make an appointment to visit your Asthma Specialist for a check up and to discuss the details of your trip. It would also be good to review other aspects of your ...read more
Treat asthma and hay fever with herbs
Asthma and Hay Fever are allergic reactions to offending allergens in the environment. Both have been successfully treated with our herbal combination, ALJ. This special formula has been deve...read more
Treat your asthma
How is asthma treated? Your doctor can work with you to decide about your treatment goals and what you need to do to control your asthma to achieve these goals. Asthma treatment includes: ...read more
Treating asthma under certian circumstances
Treating asthma in children Children with asthma, like adults with asthma, should see a doctor for treatment of their asthma. Treatment may include allergy testing, finding ways to limit con...read more
Treatment of asthma
While asthma can’t be cured, it can be controlled in the vast majority of cases. It is a chronic disease and may need long-term treatment and even lifelong management. In most cases good control can be ...read more
What are asthma triggers?
Triggers don't actually cause asthma to develop, however your asthma becomes worse when you are exposed to your triggers. What are some common triggers? There are two basic types of asthma triggers,...read more
What can trigger your asthma ?
A trigger is anything that irritates the airways and causes the symptoms of asthma. Everyone’s asthma is different and you may have several triggers. An important aspect of controlling ...read more
What causes asthma ?
It is difficult to say for sure what causes asthma. What we do know is that: you are more likely to develop asthma if you have a family history of asthma, eczema or allergies it is lik...read more
What causes asthma?
Just what causes asthma remains something of a mystery. Unfortunately, this condition often goes undiagnosed and untreated, as many people don’t even know they’re asthma sufferers.It’s regul...read more
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. The airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (sw...read more
What is exercise-induced asthma
Exercise is a common trigger for asthma. It can affect anybody with asthma- children or adults, recreational sports players or elite athletes. What are the symptoms of exercise-induced asthm...read more
