Overview
Asthma is a long-term condition in which the airways are sensitive and narrow easily, causing wheezing, cough and breathlessness in episodes. Dust, harmattan, smoke and exercise are common triggers. With the right inhalers and a clear action plan, most people live fully active lives.
Symptoms
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing out)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Cough, often worse at night or early morning
- Symptoms triggered by dust, smoke, cold air or exercise
- Waking at night breathless
Causes & risk factors
- Inherited tendency (often runs in families with allergies)
- Triggers: dust, smoke, harmattan, strong smells, pollen
- Respiratory infections
- Exercise or emotional stress in sensitive airways
Treatment & self-care
Treatment centres on inhalers — a daily preventer to calm the airways and a reliever for attacks — prescribed and reviewed by a doctor. Identify and avoid your triggers, and learn correct inhaler technique. A written action plan tells you exactly what to do when symptoms flare.
See a doctor urgently if
- Reliever inhaler is needed more than twice a week
- An attack that does not respond to the usual reliever
- Difficulty speaking, walking or sleeping due to breathlessness
- Lips or fingertips turning bluish
- Night-time symptoms occurring frequently