Never Disregard Professional Medical Advice

Asthma is a controllable but not yet a curable life threatening disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 100 to 150 million people around the world are asthmatic and the number is growing by 50% every decade. This life threatening disease causes over 180,000 deaths a year. Asthma attacks can occur anywhere, at any time and can be very SUDDEN and SERIOUS - Do Not Disregard any asthma attack. Be aware that asthma which has improved can reappear at anytime, as the tendency for asthma remains. It is therefore important for people who have had asthma at any time in their life, to always keep their asthma medication with them. Please Note: This page contains basic information. None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you may have read on a website. ASTHMA FIRST AID EMERGENCY PLAN If NO BLUE Asthma Inhaler is available, call 000 IMMEDIATELY Step 1. Sit the person upright and give gentle reassurance. DO NOT LEAVE THE PERSON ALONE. Step 2. Without delay, give 4 separate puffs of the BLUE reliever inhaler (Ventolin, Airomir, Asmol or Epaq)*. The medication is best given one puff at a time via a **spacer device. Step 3. Wait 4 minutes. If there is little or no improvement, repeat steps 2 and 3. Step 4. If there is still little or no improvement, call an ambulance immediately (DIAL 000) Continuously repeat steps 2 & 3 until the ambulance arrives. * A Bricany Turbuhaler may be used in first aid treatment if a puffer & spacer are unavailable. ** If a Spacer is unavailable, use the Puffer on it’s own. How To Help Us: If YOU and some friends would like to hold a fundraising event (small or large) to help us, please phone head office on: 1300 266 869 for information. We are only too happy to help you get your event going. We can also provide promotional products. HERE are some suggestions how YOU can help. For Asthma First Aid sheets, brochures or posters, please email us with your enquiry. * "TATS" (Teens Asthma Tips)- brochure or poster. * TOTS Asthma Tips, brochure or poster * Asthma First Aid Poster Enquire about our other Asthma and relevant posters and brochures. Ph: 1300 266 869. 7 Days NOTE: If you are on a pension or low income and are experiencing difficulty affording your child's asthma inhaler or other asthma equipment, please call Convoy For Kids Inc on 1300 266 869 (7 days) for information on how we may be able to assist you. For emotional support and 24 hour free counselling services for a wide range of issues, including Mensline (for Men Only) plus a link for very young children's support line, please click here. View Convoy For Kids Inc previous Grants for Childhood Asthma research. Please Scroll Down for further Asthma information and graphics

Tots, Tweens & Teens
	Don't think it isn't "Cool" to let people know that you have Asthma, and how to do the Asthma First Aid Plan, because "IT IS COOL" to let others know, as they may save your life one day. For FREE TATS (Teens Asthma Tips) and Tiny Tots Asthma brochures, please contact head office on: 1300 266 869. Also check our our trendy 'Med Ready' pouches to carry your inhaler and medication in.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterised by recurrent breathing problems. People with the disease suffer "attacks", or acute episodes, when the air passages in their lungs narrow and breathing becomes difficult. Attacks are caused by the airways over-reacting to certain environmental factors. They then become inflamed and clogged. They are described as feeling similar to taking deep breaths of very cold air in winter. Breathing becomes harder and may hurt, and there may be coughing. The air may make a wheezing or whistling sound. What causes it? A definitive cause for the lung abnormality at the root of asthma has so far eluded doctors. However, Professor Duncan Geddes of the National Asthma Campaign in London says “there are plenty of reasons why prevalence of the disease is increasing.” "There are simple ones - women who smoke during pregnancy are much more likely to have asthmatic children. "It's also something to do with the way we're living in modern housing - little ventilation (not opening windows and doors because of ducted heating and air conditioners, damp housing, more carpets and more dust make asthma more common." “Exposure to illness in childhood could also play a role”, he says. "There are some curious things like the pattern of early childhood infections. It may be that in the past when all children had a lot of viral infections their bodies were defending themselves against infection. "Now with fewer of them, their bodies are turning over to asthma instead." Some scientists have linked the increase in asthma with an increase in air pollution. One of the most likely culprits are PM10s, microscopically small particles given off by diesel engines, coal burning, mining, construction and quarrying. These particles can penetrate deep into the lung and are known to worsen existing heart or respiratory problems. To the Top What triggers an asthma attack? There are plenty of known triggers for asthma attacks. They include: * Allergens (substances to which some people are allergic) such as pollens, foods, dust, mould, feathers, or animal dander (small scales from animal hair or feathers); * Irritants in the air such as dirt, cigarette smoke, gases, and odours; * Respiratory infections such as colds, flu, sore throats, and bronchitis; * Too much exertion such as running upstairs too fast or carrying heavy loads (although people with asthma can benefit from a moderate amount of exercise); * Emotional stress such as excessive fear or excitement; * Weather such as very cold air, windy weather, or sudden changes in weather; * Medication such as aspirin or related drugs and some drugs used to treat glaucoma and high blood pressure. Each person with asthma reacts to a different set of triggers. Identifying which triggers apply is important if asthma attacks are to be prevented. What are the symptoms? The condition varies a great deal from one person to another. Symptoms range from mild to moderate to severe and can be life-threatening. Attacks can be only occasional or frequent. The symptoms of asthma are a major cause of time lost from school and work and sleep disturbances. However, with proper treatment these symptoms can almost always be controlled. Sometimes the only symptom is a chronic cough which may occur only at night or during exercise. Some people think they have recurrent bronchitis, since respiratory infections usually settle in the chest in a person predisposed to asthma. The condition can be diagnosed using: * Spirometry, which uses an instrument that measures the air taken into and out of the lungs; * Peak flow monitoring, which also measures the performance of the lungs; * Chest x-rays; * (Occasionally) blood and allergy tests. There are certain warning signs of an impending attack. These can occur hours or days before audible wheezing begins. They vary from person to person, but include: * Light wheezing; * Coughing pain; * A tight feeling in the chest; * Shortness of breath; * Restlessness. Once a patient learns what their trigger signs are they can become better at recognising an attack before it gets out of control. To the Top How can attacks be prevented? To prevent attacks, people with asthma should avoid their asthma triggers and take medicine appropriately. What is the treatment? Treatment consists of two main factors - environmental control and medication. Environmental control means simply keeping away from factors - like tobacco smoke or allergens - likely to trigger an attack. Medication is the mainstay of asthma treatment. Because patterns of asthma are different for different people, the specific type of drug treatment varies a lot depending on the frequency, severity, and particular triggers of each patient's episodes. For people with mild asthma, medication may only be needed before exposure to triggers or when they detect the onset of an attack. Those with more frequent symptoms may take daily medicine as well as using medicine for specific symptoms. In the case of severe, persistent asthma patients may need two or more doses of medicine each day. The major types of anti-asthma medicine are: * Corticosteroids, which reduce the inflammation of the airways. They can be taken as pills or as an aerosol. Inhaled steroids have fewer side-effects, so oral steroids are usually reserved for those with severe asthma; * Anti-allergy drugs, which can be used to prevent an attack, but are of no use after an attack has begun; * Bronchodilators, of which there are several types. These provide temporary relief from asthma symptoms but do not tackle the underlying inflammation. They can be taken in liquid, inhaled or tablet form. Immunotherapy - where the patient is desensitised to their allergens - can be useful in cases where environmental control and medication have failed. Professor Geddes says: "A cure is always just around the corner." The National Asthma Campaign in the UK is just one of many bodies sponsoring research into the causes of asthma, and scientists hope to produce a vaccine for the disease in the near future. To the Top

Blue Inhaler & Cleaning Inhaler IMPORTANT: Information on our site is not mean't to replace medical advice. You should ALWAYS discuss your Asthma (or other medical condition) with your doctor for your individual treatment, and ALWAYS prepare and regularly discuss your own Asthma Plan with your doctor and family. The Blue Inhaler ('puffer') is for the fast relief of Asthma. When your chest is tight or when you are wheezing, Ventolin (or similar prescribed medication) opens the airways in your lungs and helps you breath easier. Shake the Puffer BEFORE each use, and use immediately after shaking. Your puffer should be cleaned at least once a week. Regular cleaning helps keep the puffer working at their best. Cleaning Inhalers 1. Remove the *metal canister from the plastic cover then remove the mouth-piece. 2. Rinse the cover and mouth-piece thoroughly under warm water. 3. Dry thoroughly inside and out. 4. Replace the metal canister and mouth-piece. *DO NOT put the canister in water. Please Scroll Down for more Asthma information.

Apples & Bananas may protect against wheezing in Kids Increased consumption of apple juice or bananas may prevent childhood asthma, says new research from England that adds to an ever-growing body of science linking easy breathing to apples. Researchers, led by Peter Burnley from the National Heart Group & Lung Institute at Imperial College, performed a population-based survey of 2,640 children aged between five and ten, and found that regular consumption of apple juice was associated with a 47 per cent reduction in wheezing. Burney and co-workers used questionnaires to calculate the potential benefits of fruit consumption against wheezing and asthma in the children. At least one banana every day was associated with a 34 per cent reduction in current wheezing, compared to eating bananas less than once a month. One glass of apple juice from concentrate a day or more was associated with a 47 per cent reduction in current wheezing, said the researchers. Note:Consumption of apples, other fruits and orange juice however was not linked with asthma symptoms, they added. Dr Mike Thomas, a researcher for the British charity - Asthma UK, based at the University of Aberdeen, is quoted by the BBC as saying that, "the study was further evidence of the protective effect of apples". Dr Thomas also said: "There is some evidence that a healthy diet rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins is good for asthma, and it is yet another reason why we should be encouraging a healthy diet." "We found no association between eating fresh apples and asthma symptoms in this population, but found some evidence to suggest that a higher consumption of apple juice from concentrate, and bananas, may protect against wheezing in children," wrote the authors in the European Respiratory Journal.

Smoking in a car 'DOUBLES Asthma risk for kids

CHILDREN exposed to cigarette smoke in cars and other vehicles, are more than twice as likely as other kids to develop asthma. Surveys and tests of almost 1500 young teenagers have proved that passive smoking in cars has a more devastating effect on respiratory health than smoking in the home. The results, published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia, support a national ban on smoking in vehicles containing children, say the University of Western Australia researchers. "Teenagers can escape their parents' smoke in the home by leaving the room, but in mum's taxi they are essentially trapped, regardless of whether the windows are down," said Peter Sly, from the university's Centre for Child Health Research. "They're forced to inhale the smoke while they're being ferried about to and from school and, as we've found, the risk is great." The study, which relied on surveys of parents and breathing tests collected from 1427 14-year-olds, found that about 15 per cent were exposed to smoke in vehicles. They had a 55 per cent increased risk of a recent wheezing problem than other kids and were 2.1 times more likely to have long-term asthma. The same study found about 9per cent of children were exposed to smoke in the home. While they had a higher risk of respiratory problems than non-exposed kids, their rates were lower than for car exposure. "This is the first time we've been able to show absolutely that these children are actually at higher risk than ones in the home," Professor Sly said. He said the dangers of passive smoking in the home, workplace and many public places had been well publicised, "but we seem to have forgotten the car". The team called for parents to reconsider their behaviour in light of the results. "Even better, this should help us move towards a total ban on smoking in cars with children ... but I'm not sure how that could be policed," Professor Sly said. Courtesy of AAP, in 'The Australian' To the Top

Asthma Episode ('Attack')
	During an asthma 'attack', inflamed airways react to environmental triggers such as smoke, dust, or pollen or other triggers. The airways narrow and produce excess mucus, making it difficult to breathe. To the Top

ASTHMA IN CHILDREN UNDER 5

Asthma is relatively common in children under 5 — about one in 4 children in this age group has asthma. Although it is a serious medical condition and can be life threatening, with correct management asthma symptoms can be well controlled, allowing your child to live a full and active life. Symptoms of asthma in young children Children with asthma who are under 5 most commonly have symptoms of wheezing (a whistling sound in the chest) and cough. Often these symptoms are most apparent at night-time, first thing in the morning and with exercise. Asthma in young children can be mild, moderate or severe, with the majority having mild asthma. However, poorly controlled asthma in any child can lead to a severe asthma attack. Mild asthma typically results in some coughing and wheezing but the child sleeps well, feeds well and plays happily. Moderate asthma typically causes the child to wake at night and to cough and wheeze when they run around. Severe asthma results in the child having trouble feeding, playing and sleeping because of breathlessness. Diagnosis of asthma in young children Not all young children who wheeze have asthma. Your doctor will examine your child and take a thorough history of your child’s symptoms before differentiating between asthma and other respiratory conditions. The usual breathing tests performed on older children and adults to diagnose asthma are often not suitable for young children, so your doctor is more likely to diagnose asthma based on a physical examination of your child and a history of your child’s health, including episodes of wheezing, coughing and other illnesses such as allergies. Your doctor will also ask you about whether you or other family members have asthma or allergies. Your doctor may prescribe a trial of asthma medication — improvement in your child’s symptoms can help to confirm a diagnosis of asthma. Sometimes your child may need to have blood tests called RASTs or skin-prick tests to confirm whether an allergy is causing the wheezing and coughing. What causes asthma at this age? Although the exact causes of asthma are not fully understood, it is most likely to occur in children who have a parent or other close family member who has asthma or in children who are themselves showing symptoms of allergies such as eczema (dermatitis) and hives (raised pink itchy lumps on the skin also known as urticaria). The chance that a child will develop asthma is increased if that child lives in a house where someone smokes. If a mother smokes when she is pregnant the chance that her baby will develop asthma later in life is increased. For these reasons, families are advised not to smoke near babies and children, and not to smoke inside a house where children live or in the family car. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to cigarette smoke throughout pregnancy and avoid exposure of their newborn baby to cigarette smoke. Asthma in young children is often ‘triggered’ (aggravated or precipitated) by viral respiratory infections such as colds or flu. However, some medical experts believe that bacterial respiratory infections in early life, depending on when they occur, may in fact help protect a child against developing asthma and other allergies. Studies are ongoing to determine the role that respiratory infections play in childhood asthma. Other factors that may trigger asthma in this age group include the faeces of house dust mite (a microscopic mite that lives in household dust, especially in carpets and bedding), skin flakes from pets, exercise, changes in weather, cigarette smoke and pollens. Less commonly, an allergy to a particular food can trigger asthma. Foods that can have this effect include nuts, eggs and milk. However, it is very important that you do not eliminate important foods such as milk from your child’s diet unless your child has been tested and diagnosed by a specialist doctor as having an allergy to that food. If you eliminate foods unnecessarily and without guidance, you risk causing a nutritional deficiency in your child. To the Top Treatments for asthma in young children The key to treating asthma is to control the asthma symptoms so that your child can lead a full life. This is achieved by: * understanding what triggers your child’s asthma; * avoiding exposure of your child to these triggers; * understanding and helping your child to take the asthma medications that have been prescribed by your doctor; and * regularly reviewing the treatment and management of your child’s asthma with your doctor. Your doctor will provide you with information about how to recognise worsening asthma symptoms in your child and what to do in this situation. This information will usually be in the form of a written asthma action plan, which is a vital part of managing your child’s asthma. This plan is developed by your doctor and will explain to you which medications your child is to take and how often; how to recognise when your child’s asthma symptoms are worsening and how to increase medication doses in this situation; when to see your doctor or go to a hospital in case of worsening asthma symptoms; and what emergency steps to take in case of a severe asthma attack. Most medications for children with asthma are breathed in, usually from a ‘puffer’ (aerosol inhaler). Often this puffer is attached to a ‘spacer’ (a clear plastic chamber) that allows the child to breathe in a puff of airborne medication over several breaths, rather than co-ordinating one big in-breath with the release of puffer medication (which is how most adults and older children use a puffer). Children under 4 also need to use a small face mask with their spacer. Less often, children with severe asthma may need to take medication at home using a nebuliser, which is a small machine that delivers liquid medication as a fine mist via a face mask. Some asthma medications are taken as tablets. ‘Puffers’ and Preventers’: Different puffers contain different types of asthma medications — ‘reliever’ medication, ‘symptom controller’ medication or ‘preventer’ medication. Some children with mild, infrequent asthma who experience symptoms only occasionally may be prescribed a reliever medication only, which is used when symptoms appear. However, children with more frequent asthma symptoms are also likely to be prescribed a preventer, possibly with a symptom controller as well. Both of these types of asthma medication are taken every day, even when your child is well, to keep the asthma symptoms at bay. It is very important that you do not change your child’s medication without talking to your doctor first, even if your child does not appear to have symptoms at the moment. To the Top As your child grows up For many children, their asthma improves as they get older. In fact, half of all people who have asthma as a child will not have it as an adult. This is more likely to be the case if the asthma is mild and the child or other family members do not have asthma or other allergies. Conversely, severe asthma in childhood is more likely to persist. Be aware that asthma which has improved can reappear at anytime, as the tendency for asthma remains. It is therefore important for people who have had asthma at any time in their life to always keep their asthma medication with them. To the Top

The *Pathophysiology of Asthma? *Ref: Pathophysiology is the study of the disturbance of normal mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions that a disease causes, or that cause the disease. Here is a bit of technical stuff written in fairly simple terms, for those who are interested in how an asthma attack happens. Asthma is now most commonly described amongst experts as an inflammatory response disease. It has been suggested that the two main causes of breathlessness - airway wall inflammation and airway wall constriction - are both due to the release inflammatory response chemical signals. To understand the pathophysiology of asthma, a little backround airway anatomy is required. We breath through our noses and mouths. To reach the lungs both these inlets converge on the trachea (the windpipe) below which an upside down tree like structure occurs. Two main branches (bronchi) split, one to each lung. Gradually more and branches and twigs (the bronchioles) split off to eventually end in the alveoli. Like the leaves of a tree, the alveoli are effectively cul-de-sacs. It is in the alveoli that fresh oxygenated air enters the bloodstream and stale (carbon dioxide-loaded) air comes out again. Asthma effects only the bronchi and bronchioles, not the alveoli. The bronchi and bronchioles are tubes through which air must pass to reach the alveoli, and thus be absorbed into the blood. In asthma these tubes become partly or completely blocked. This results in difficulty or impossibility to breath. The airway tubes are lined with a layer of cells known a the epithelial layer. Normally this layer is involved in 'brushing' mucous up the airways by means of hair-like cilia. The cilia act like a conveyor sending the mucous up the airways until finally it can be swallowed. This mucous conveyor carries any foreign particles out of the lung. When it stops or is damaged mucous can build up and block the lungs. The epithelial layer of cells in asthmatic subjects is often inflamed and damaged. A damaged or scarred epithelial layer can allow foreign particles to penetrate the lung lining more easily. In response to foreign particles the cells release signalling chemicals which can make the damage worse.

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