What is asthma?

Asthma is a common condition that affects the airways in your lungs.

People with asthma have sensitive airways that become inflamed when exposed to triggers. Inflamed airways make it difficult to breathe.

Sometimes asthma can flare up and your symptoms can become worse than usual. This is known as an 'asthma attack'.

In Australia, asthma affects 1 in 9 adults, and 1 in 5 children. But anyone can develop asthma, even if you didn't have it as a child.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

While asthma symptoms vary from person to person, the most common signs of asthma are:

• difficulty breathing
• wheezing
• coughing
• tightness in the chest
• a lack of energy

Having difficulty breathing may mean that you feel breathless, even while resting.

An asthma related cough can occur:

• at certain times (for example, at night, early in the morning, during cool weather)
• after certain activities (such as exercise)

What are the symptoms of an asthma attack?

If you or another person show signs of a severe asthma attack, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. If calling triple zero (000) does not work on your mobile, call 112. Early treatment could save a life.

An asthma attack may feel like you are not getting enough air. Some people say it feels like breathing through a straw. It can happen very quickly, such as after exposure to smoke. It can also happen slowly over hours or days, such as after getting a cold.

During a severe asthma attack, you may notice more serious symptoms, such as:

• difficulty speaking and saying sentences before needing to take another breath
• blue lips
• if reliever medicine does not help
• feeling very distressed or exhausted from trying to breathe
• deep sucking motions at your throat or chest while trying to breathe

A serious asthma flare-up needs urgent medical attention from a doctor or hospital emergency department.

You can have an asthma attack even if your symptoms are usually mild or well controlled. If you have a serious asthma attack, seek care.

Will my asthma symptoms change during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, asthma changes in different ways for different people. Your symptoms may get better or get worse.

Don't stop taking your preventer medication while you're pregnant. Taking your prescribed medicines is safer for you and your baby than having uncontrolled asthma.

Read more about asthma and pregnancy here.

What causes asthma?

Experts aren't sure why some people get asthma and others don't. You are more likely to have asthma if someone in your immediate family has:

• asthma
• hay fever
• allergies
• eczema

Children have a higher chance of developing asthma if:

• they were born prematurely or with a low birth weight
• their mother smoked during pregnancy
• they live in a house with people who smoke
• they have been exposed to air pollution or mould

Healthy adults can also develop asthma after extended exposure to:

• air pollution such as fumes that irritate your lungs
• breathing in dusts that you're allergic to

Athletes can get asthma if they constantly train hard while inhaling polluted, cold, or dry air.

Asthma triggers

Common triggers of asthma are:

• allergens such as pollen, dust, food items and mould (allergic asthma)
• smoke from cigarettes, bushfires and traffic pollution
• other irritants such as cleaning products, perfumes, aerosol products and some workplace chemicals
• physical activity
• infection from viruses

Asthma triggered by physical activity is known as exercise-induced asthma. Asthma triggered by allergens in the air during stormy weather is known as thunderstorm asthma.

You can read more about potential asthma triggers on the National Asthma Council website.

When should I see my doctor?

Call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance if you notice symptoms of a severe asthma attack.

If you or your child have symptoms of asthma, see your doctor. They can:

• provide a diagnosis
• provide treatment to relieve and control your symptoms
• provide an asthma action plan

How is asthma diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and also about your medical history. They may also ask about your family health, such as whether your close relatives have asthma or allergies.

Your doctor may arrange for you to have breathing tests. These measure how your well your lungs are working, such as spirometrytest.

Your doctor may suggest that you undergo allergy testing, as asthma symptoms can be triggered by known allergies.

Your doctor will also rule out other causes of your symptoms, like COVID-19. Read more about COVID-19 and severe asthma here.

Children under 6 years of age may find breathing tests difficult. Your doctor may prescribe some asthma medicine to take for a short time. If your child's symptoms improve quickly with asthma medicine, it's likely that they have asthma.

How is asthma treated?

Asthma treatment helps stop your asthma symptoms from interfering with normal life. Treatment also helps to prevent flare-ups or attacks.

Your doctor may prescribe or suggest these treatments.

Medicines for asthma

There are 2 main types of asthma medicines:

1. relievers
2. preventers/controllers

Asthma medicines are usually taken as a tablet or using an inhaler. Inhalers can be used with a spacer to make the medicine easier to take. Your treatment will depend on:

• how severe your asthma is
• how old you are
• your lifestyle

Using inhalers and spacers properly takes practice. It's important to learn to use these devices properly, to get the right amount of your medicine.

You can watch the National Asthma Council's how-to videos on how to use your inhaler.

Asthma relievers

Asthma reliever medicine helps open your airways quickly to relieve your symptoms during an asthma attack. They work within minutes.

A common reliever medicine is salbutamol (Ventolin).

You or your child may need to use asthma relievers more regularly until your symptoms are gone. Use asthma relievers as prescribed by your doctor.

Asthma preventers/controllers

Asthma preventer medicine helps prevent asthma attacks and keeps your asthma under control. Preventer medicines usually contain corticosteroids that are like the steroids your body produces. These treatments are anti-inflammatory.

Preventer medicine usually comes in inhaler form. Can be taken every day or only during a flare up. This may depend on how severe your asthma is.

Many preventer inhalers include a combination of a corticosteroid and a long-acting reliever medicine.

Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisolone tablets, are taken by mouth. Sometimes, short courses of oral corticosteroids may be used to help manage asthma flare-ups.

Some people have severe asthma that can't be controlled, even if they correctly take high doses of treatment. These people may need to be seen by a respiratory specialist for more treatment.

For more information on the treatment of severe asthma, you can visit the Asthma Australia website.

Avoiding asthma triggers

Asthma triggers cause your airways to narrow and lead to asthma symptoms. These triggers vary from person to person but avoiding or managing them can help to control your asthma.

Having an asthma action plan

If you have asthma, you and your doctor will put together an asthma action plan. This is a set of instructions just for you. It includes:

• a list of your usual asthma medicines and doses
• how to recognise symptoms of an asthma attack
• advice on what to do in an asthma emergency
• your doctor's contact details

You can see examples of asthma action plans here.

Can asthma be prevented?

Asthma can't be prevented entirely. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your chance of an asthma attack and live well with asthma.

• Quit smoking or vaping and avoid any second-hand smoke (passive smoking).
• It's important to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) each year. Flu and other respiratory viruses are common triggers for asthma.
• Treating allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and avoiding any allergy triggers will help control your asthma. Asthma and allergies are closely linked.
• Being overweight or obese makes your asthma harder to manage. A balanced diet helps you to keep a healthy weight.
• It is also important to care for yourself — mental health and asthma are linked. If you have been feeling sad or anxious, talk to your doctor.

See your doctor regularly

Asthma needs to be regularly assessed and managed by your doctor. Your medicine needs may change over time.

Make sure you know how to use your medicines properly. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.

Keep your asthma action plan up to date.

What are the complications of asthma?

Poorly controlled asthma can have a negative effect on your life. Complications may include:

• fatigue or exhaustion
• poor sleep
• being less productive at work or while studying
• being unable to exercise and be physically active
• reduced lung function
• poor mental health

Taking your medicines as prescribed is important. If you feel that your asthma is affecting your quality of life, see your doctor. They can review your medicines.

Resources and support

For more information and support, try these resources:

• Call Asthma Australia on 1800 278 462 to talk with an Asthma Educator.
• Read the National Asthma Council's My Asthma Guide to help you understand and manage your asthma.
• Find out more about asthma on the Lung Foundation's website.

The National Asthma Council Australia has asthma information in languages other than English.

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne also has an asthma factsheet in other languages.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.