Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs.  As a result of inflammation, the airways become very sensitive and narrow easily when stimulated by a wide range of triggers.  This makes it more difficult to breathe freely.  Asthma is a serious condition that may have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.

Ireland has one of the highest rates of asthma in Europe and the fourth highest rate in the world. It is estimated that as many as 470,000 people in Ireland have asthma. ¹

At least 15% of all Irish children have asthma however their symptoms can be controlled by medication.²

(You can find out more about the symptoms and treatments available for children by downloading the ‘Asthma-in pre-school children’ booklet below )

Research has revealed that between 60% and 80% of asthma patients’ also have allergic rhinitis (hayfever).³  Many asthma sufferers are unaware that the two conditions frequently overlap. ³   If allergic rhinitis is treated effectively this has the potential to reduce asthma symptoms and may even help the development of asthma. ³

(You can find out more about the symptoms and treatments available  by downloading the ‘Asthma- and Allergic Rhinitis’ booklet  below)

In a person with asthma, the airways narrow in response to external triggers such as pollen, dust mites, animal fur, smoke, cold air, and exercise.  The smooth muscles of the bronchi (windpipes which supply air to the throat) go into spasm, and the tissues lining the airways swell from inflammation and secrete mucus.  This leads to a narrowing of the airways which means that the person has to exert more effort to breathe in and out.

Asthma symptoms may vary from person to person – mild for some and severe for others.  Typical symptoms include wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, night-time awakening, or a combination of these symptoms.

If a doctor suspects that a patient has asthma, based on reported symptoms, they will carry out a physical examination and breathing tests, known as spirometry tests.

Drug treatments allow most people with asthma to lead relatively normal lives. There are two main kinds of asthma treatment relievers and preventers.⁴ Relievers are taken to relieve asthma symptoms, they relax the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways making it easier to breathe again.⁴ Preventers help to control the swelling and inflammation in the airways and help to reduce the sensitivity of the airways to asthma triggers.⁴

Treatments for allergic rhinitis include:
Anti-histamines, decongestant sprays and preventer treatments.³

Treating asthma and allergic rhinitis together is possible by taking a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) which may be prescribed by your doctor.³

Treatment should be tailored to the individual, if side effects occur, it is important to discuss these with your doctor who can look at changing the dose or switching to an alternative therapy.

  References

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