People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When they are exposed to certain triggers their airways narrow, making it harder for them to breathe.
Three main factors cause the airways to narrow:
- The inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflammation)
- Extra mucus (sticky fluid) may be produced, which can block up airways
- Muscle around the airways tightens. This is called ‘bronchoconstriction’
Asthma affects over two million Australians, and it can start at any age, though it is more common in children.
What should I do if I think I have asthma?
If you suspect you might have asthma, you should see your doctor for a professional diagnosis. The good news is that most people can control their asthma with medications and lead a normal life. Once your asthma is well controlled you should experience only occasional symptoms, and asthma attacks (or flare-ups) should be rare.
Note: If asthma is left untreated the long term inflammation of the airway can cause permanent damage to the airway. This can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) so it’s important to see your doctor if you have any concerns.
How bad is my asthma?
You may hear people talk about having ‘mild’ or ‘severe’ asthma. There are actually a few different words that doctors use to describe different people’s asthma. These categories are based on your asthma symptoms before you are put on medication, or the amount of medication it takes to get your asthma under control.
Depending on how often you tend to get symptoms, you may have:
- intermittent, or
- persistent asthma
Intermittent asthma
Intermittent asthma means you don’t have symptoms the whole time, and you may occasionally have mild or even severe asthma attacks. Most people who have intermittent asthma are able to control their asthma well just by using reliever medication. Some people have their symptoms so often they may also need a preventer.
Intermittent asthma is the most common type of asthma in children. Around 70% of children have infrequent intermittent asthma, which means they have short, isolated episodes of asthma, usually in response to a respiratory infection or environmental allergen. Approximately 20% of children have frequent intermittent asthma, where asthma episodes happen more often (every 6 to 8 weeks or less) and children have minimal symptoms in between.
Persistent asthma
Persistent asthma means you have more frequent symptoms and attacks. If you have persistent asthma, you probably need a preventer to help control your asthma. Persistent asthma may be classed as mild, moderate or severe. These ‘ratings’ are based on the amount and type of medication you need to take to keep your asthma under control.
Anyone with asthma can have an asthma attack if they are exposed to certain amounts of one of their triggers. The treatment for an asthma attack is the same, no matter how mild or severe your asthma is.
How do you recognise asthma? What are the symptoms?
What causes asthma?
How is asthma diagnosed?
How many people have asthma?
Need more information?
Contact our Information Line to talk to a trained health professional. Call 1800 645 130 or use our online form.