Asthma and Other Lung Diseases

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs. If poorly controlled, it can lead to breathing difficulties and even be fatal.

Many asthma sufferers are sensitive to allergens such as house dust mites, pollen, mould, and smoke. However, there are other unavoidable triggers for an asthma attack, such as an infection with a respiratory virus.

Just as there are many triggers for asthma, there are different subtypes of asthma – a finding that’s only been revealed by basic and clinical research in the past 10 years. This discovery is significant because each subtype may have different underlying causes and disease-specific pathways.

Diagnosing the subtype could allow for more tailored treatments and better health outcomes.

It’s also critical for researchers to understand the developmental origins of disease and its progression to severe persistent asthma. This will reveal new targets for preventative intervention.

There are two main types of asthma treatment – relievers and preventers.

Reliever medication, typically a bronchodilator, is used to quickly relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack. It’s also known as an inhaler or puffer, and you should always carry one if you have asthma.

Preventer medications reduce inflammation and swelling, and make the airways less sensitive. Many adults and children with asthma will also need to take a daily preventer to reduce the risk of an asthma attack.

The treatment of asthma focuses on managing and controlling these symptoms, improving lung function, and preventing exacerbations (flare-ups).

In addition to medication, it’s important to identify and avoid triggers that can worsen symptoms, such as allergens, smoke, cold air, and exercise.

It’s also advisable to have an Asthma Action Plan and regular follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider.

Asthma often starts in childhood but can affect people of all ages. In Australia, asthma affects 1 in 5 children, and 1 in 9 adults.

While lung diseases can affect anyone, you’re more at risk if you have:

• a history of smoking
• worked in a job that exposed you to dust, gas, fumes or chemicals
• a family history of lung disease.

Asthma symptoms include:

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

Symptoms for chronic lung disease can include:

• a new, persistent, or changed cough
• coughing up mucous, phlegm or blood
• chest tightness or wheezing
• frequent chest infections
• chest pain
• fatigue
• sudden weight loss.

Chronic respiratory conditions affect the lungs and airways that transfer air from the mouth and nose into the lungs.

Several chronic respiratory conditions can be grouped into obstructive lung diseases and restrictive lung diseases:

• Obstructive lung diseases cause difficulty with exhaling air. These include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis;
• Restrictive lung diseases cause problems by restricting a person’s ability to inhale air. These include pulmonary fibrosis, chronic sinusitis, and occupational lung diseases;
• Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting one in every 2,500 babies in Australia. The most common symptom of CF is a thick mucus that clogs the lungs and airways.

There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung tissue does not repair itself. However, it’s possible to slow the progression of the disease and improve symptoms.

Treatment for COPD can include:

• bronchodilators to open the airways
• corticosteroids to reduce inflammation of the lung tissue
• expectorants - medication to loosen phlegm in the lung and make it easier to cough up.

While treatment can vary from patient to patient, all people with COPD will need regular medical checkups.