Hervey Bay Local Health News

Asthma can be well controlled by using asthma medicines and avoiding trigger factors (see Asthma Fact Card). The main types of asthma medicines are relievers, preventers and symptom controllers.

Asthma medicines are mostly inhaled directly into the lungs with inhalers, on their own or via a spacer. They can also be inhaled using a nebuliser or taken as tablets, capsules or syrups. The main types of asthma medicines are: relievers, preventers, symptom controllers and combination medications.

Relievers
(e.g. Airomir, Asmol, Epaq, Bricanyl, Ventolin) Relievers relax the muscles in the airways, opening the airways up. This helps patients to breathe more easily when they are short of breath. Asthma may not be adequately controlled if a patient needs to use a reliever most days (in this case the patient should see a doctor).

Relievers:
*    Will help when asthma symptoms get worse
*    Do not treat the inflammation (see Asthma Fact Card)
*    May be used before exercise if exercise triggers asthma.
*    Can cause a rapid heartbeat and shakiness - this is a common side effect for some people. Talk to a doctor, pharmacist or asthma educator if this happens.

Ipratropium (e.g. Atrovent, Ipratrin) is also called a reliever medicine. Ipratropium takes longer than the other relievers to work and therefore cannot be used to relieve symptoms quickly.

Theophylline (e.g. Nuelin) is another reliever medicine, usually taken as a tablet. Theophylline is not used to relieve asthma symptoms as it takes longer than other relievers to work.

Preventers
These medicines prevent asthma symptoms. They reduce inflammation in the airways and make them less sensitive to trigger factors.

Preventers are usually inhaled (e.g. Flixotide, Intal, Pulmicort, Tilade, Qvar).

There is a new preventer medicine (e.g. Singulair, Accolate) which is a tablet. This may be taken instead of, or with, an inhaled preventer and is suitable for some patients with asthma.

Preventers:
*    Need to be used every day, even when symptoms are absent.
*    Will not stop an attack once it has started.
*    Take time to work, when first started. The patient may not notice an improvement in the asthma for two weeks or more.
*    Should not be stopped, unless a doctor advises.
Prednisone, or prednisolone, tablets (or syrup) are preventers mainly used to treat severe asthma symptoms. They are usually only taken until symptoms improve and can be controlled by regular asthma medicines.
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Asthma is a common condition that affects approximately two million Australians. It is estimated that up to one in four children, one in seven adolescents and one in 10 adults will experience symptoms of asthma at some time.

What is asthma?
In people with asthma, the airways in the lungs are twitchy or sensitive. When exposed to certain trigger factors (something that makes a person’s asthma worse), the airways tighten, the lining of the airways becomes red and swollen and mucus is formed, causing the air passage to become narrower.

What are the main symptoms?
Asthma symptoms may vary from person to person. Possible symptoms include:
*    Coughing
*    Wheezing - a high pitched whistling or sighing sound on breathing 
*    Shortness of breath
*    Tightness in the chest.
A person with asthma may have one or more of these symptoms. The symptoms are often worse early in the morning and on waking.

What can trigger symptoms?
Different people with asthma may have different asthma triggers (trigger factors) which may make their asthma worse.

Common triggers include:
*   Colds and flu
*    Exercise (this can be managed)
*    Inhaled allergens (e.g. house dust mites, pollens, moulds, animal hair)
*    Cigarette smoke
*    Cold air or temperature/weather changes
*    Certain medications (ask a doctor or pharmacist)
*    Chemicals, irritants and strong smells
*    Some foods and food preservatives, flavourings and colourings
*    Some occupations (e.g. exposure to chemical, dust and gases)
*    Emotion, stress, anxiety.
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