Complete Guide to Asthma

​Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. To date, about 13 million people have asthma and 5-10% of grapple with severe asthma.

While the exact cause of asthma remains unknown, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These factors can include a family history of asthma or allergies, exposure to certain allergens and irritants, respiratory infections during childhood, and exposure to tobacco smoke or air pollution.

If you have been diagnosed with asthma, it is crucial to educate yourself and take the necessary steps to manage asthma attacks when they occur. Read on as we uncover more about this condition.

Allergens and Triggers

Allergens

Asthma can be triggered by various allergens, substances that provoke an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. Common allergens include:

• House dust mites: tiny organisms that thrive in household dust and bedding
• Pet dander: microscopic flecks of skin shed by pets like cats and dogs
• Pests such as cockroaches and rodents, whose droppings and saliva can trigger asthma symptoms
• Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, which can be carried by the wind and inhaled into the airways.
  

Triggers

Asthma triggers are factors or conditions that can worsen asthma symptoms or precipitate an asthma attack. These triggers vary from person to person but can include:

• Cigarette smoke
• Dust
• Changes in weather
• Air pollution
  

What happens during an asthma attack?

When an asthma attack occurs after one gets exposed to trigger factors, the airway lining becomes inflamed, and excess mucus is produced, leading to difficulty breathing and other symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

How to treat asthma? 

Navigating asthma management involves understanding the role of medications in controlling symptoms and preventing exacerbations. In this section, we delve into two key classes of asthma medications: controllers and bronchodilators. 

Controllers

Controller medications are long-term asthma medications taken regularly to prevent and control asthma symptoms. These medications work by reducing inflammation in the airways, making them less sensitive to triggers. 

Daily use can reduce asthma attacks. It is advised to take your controller inhaler everyday, even when you do not have any symptoms

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are quick-relief emergency medications used during asthma attacks to quickly open up the airways and relieve symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. These include:

• Beclometasone 
  
• Budesonide 
  
• Flixotide
  
• Flutiform
  
• Relvar
• Symbicort
  
• Seretide Evohaler & Accuhaler
  
• Tiotropium Respimat (in addition to Symbicort, Seretide Relvar or Flutiform)
  

Frequent use of these relievers could indicate poor control of asthma and warrant medical attention for better management. Please get in touch with the Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine at SGH if you suspect you may be relying too heavily on your bronchodilators.

How to use an inhaler

Follow these steps:

1. Remove cap
2. Shake inhaler
3. Breathe out
4. Breathe in and press
   
5. Hold and breathe 
   

Written Asthma Action Plan

Part of effective asthma management involves documenting the frequency and effect of your asthma attacks to allow for effective troubleshooting. A written asthma action plan helps individuals with asthma and their caregivers better understand and manage the condition, leading to improved asthma control and quality of life.

Work alongside our doctors to better manage your asthma today. Download a copy of our leaflet to access the written asthma action plan and view more information about asthma. 

Asthma Education.pdf