Oak Valley Health’s patient education pages share the skills, knowledge, and habits patients and families need to know to cope with a daily health issue. We hope this information can influence patient behaviour to improve health outcomes and provide you with a sense of control and autonomy.
Learn more about the risks, causes, and treatment of asthma – adult
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes recurrent episodes of tightness and narrowing of the airways. The airways are the passageways that connect the nose and mouth to the lungs. Asthma attacks can range from minor to fatal. Although asthma cannot be cured, medications and lifestyle changes can help control it and treat acute attacks.
Genetic factors
Environmental factors
Pollen
Dust mites
Pets
Common triggers including:
Mold
Cigarette smoke
Cockroaches
Allergens
Air pollutants
Changes in weather
Family history of asthma
You have allergies
You are exposed to certain chemical irritants or industrial dusts in the workplace
You are a smoker
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Wheezing
Coughing in the middle of the night or early in the morning
Coughing that is frequent or severe as a result of a common cold
Tightness in the chest Breathing difficulty
Fatigue while doing minimal activity
At this time, there is no treatment to cure Asthma or stop it from getting worse. The goals of treatment are:
Asthma symptoms can be treated with two types of medications:
Maintenance puffer
Fast-acting reliever or rescue puffer
Using other medicines:
Allergy medicine
Immunomodulators
Creating an asthma action plan
A list of your asthma triggers and how to avoid them
Information on when to take medications and when to change their dosage
You continue to wheeze and cough while taking medicines
Coughing up mucus that is thicker than usual
Your sputum turns yellow, green, grey, or bloody instead of clear or white
Your medications are causing side effects like a rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing
You have a fever
During an asthma attack, you are getting worse and do not respond to treatment
When you are at rest or doing very little physical activity, you are out of breath
