Asthma

Asthma is a disorder affecting the airways of the lungs. People with asthma have very sensitive airways that narrow in response to certain "triggers", leading to difficulty in breathing. The airway narrowing is caused by inflammation and swelling of the airway lining, the tightening of the airway muscles, and the production of excess mucus. This results in a reduced airflow in and out of the lungs.

Asthma is Australia's most widespread chronic (long-term and persistent) health problem. It affects over 2 million Australians: 1 in 7 primary school-aged children, 1 in 8 teenagers and 1 in 9 adults. At present the cause of asthma is not known and there is no cure.

However, asthma is treatable: medications, asthma management and education are improving all the time. With appropriate treatment and a personal commitment to good self-management, most people with asthma can lead normal, active lives. Many are high-achieving sportspeople.

The Australian Government promotes the Asthma Cycle of Care as the model of 'best practice' for people with moderate to severa asthma. The Asthma Cycle of Care helps GPs and patients to work together for the best possible asthma control and quality of life, through ongoing asthma checkups and effective management.

The following websites contain information on asthma:

Dr Christine Jenkins has also written a HealthInsite Expert View on asthma.

Asthma information in languages other than English can be found at Multicultural Health Communication Service [Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)].

To see information on specific asthma topics, follow the links to the sepcific topic pages below.

Reviewed December 2011

 

 

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Related HealthInsite Topics

What is Asthma?

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on the definition of asthma, symptoms of acute asthma and chronic asthma, and how to recognise it.

Causes of Asthma

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on asthma risk factors and protective factors.

Management of Asthma

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on the aims of effective asthma management, the Asthma Cycle of Care, first aid for asthma attacks, medications and devices, trigger avoidance.

Asthma - Expert View

HealthInsite Expert View
HealthInsite Expert View by Dr Christine Jenkins. Asthma is a disorder affecting the airways of the lung. People with asthma have very sensitive airways that narrow in response to certain ´triggers´, leading to difficulty breathing. The airway narrowing is caused by inflammation and swelling of the airway lining, tightening of the airway muscles, and the production of excess mucus. This results in a reduced airflow in and out of the lungs.

Asthma and Pregnancy

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about asthma conditions that may affect pregnancy.

Asthma Complications

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about the possible health complications of asthma and asthma medications.

Asthma in Children and Young People

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about asthma in children and young people.

Asthma Statistics

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to statistics on the incidence of asthma, its effects on quality of life and its cost to our community.

Asthma Support Services

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on support services, and contacts for people with asthma and for health professionals.

Occupational Asthma

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about occupational asthma and the relationship between the work environment and asthma.

11 Resources Found

Results 1 to 11 displayed.

Title:   Asthma
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Asthma is a disease of the lungs. People with asthma experience episodes of asthma, or asthma attacks. This occurs when there is a narrowing and inflammation of the airways, which makes it harder to breathe. Asthma is an extremely common disease, and is the most common chronic condition in childhood.
Date:   Sep 2011
Title:   Asthma - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Asthma affects as many as one in 6 children and one in 9 adults in Australia. Find out about asthma triggers, and asthma treatment and prevention.
Date:   Mar 2011
Title:   Aspirin-induced asthma
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Aspirin-induced asthma is characterised by aggressive and continuous inflammation of the airways, leading to worsening of asthma, after ingestion of aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Date:   Feb 2011
Title:   Asthma
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   This article gives an overview of what asthma is, symptoms of asthma and things that are known to trigger asthma attacks.
Date:   May 2010
Title:   Asthma
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Asthma is a condition which affects the small air passages (bronchi) of the lungs. During an asthma attack, these passages narrow, reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs. This may lead to wheezing and coughing. Asthma triggers include pollen, cigarette smoke and colds.
Date:   Jan 2010
Title:   Asthma overview - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterised by extreme breathlessness, wheezing and tightness of the chest.
Date:   Sep 2007
Title:   Adult Asthma Information Pack
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service
Description:   Information for people with asthma, including the cause of asthma and how to manage the condition.
Date:   Nov 2004
Title:   Asthma Facts [Vietnamese]
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)
Description:   Asthma is the situation when the airways in the lungs narrow down as the muscles are being contracted, or being infected or producing too much mucus that causes breathing difficulty.
Date:   Jul 2003
Title:   Asthma Facts [Chinese]
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)
Description:   Asthma affects 1 in 4 children and it is the most common cause of hospital admission.
Date:   Jul 2003
Title:   Asthma: basic facts - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When they are exposed to certain triggers their airways narrow making it hard for them to breathe.
Date:   Apr 2003
Title:   Asthma - the basic facts
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)
Description:   People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When they are exposed to certain triggers, their airways narrow, making it hard for them to breathe.
Date:   Apr 2002

Results 1 to 11 displayed.