Asthma remains a common and often under-recognized respiratory condition, affecting people of all ages. It affects about 4.6 million Canadians, including 900,000 children under 19 years old. In Canada, more than 300 people are diagnosed with asthma every day and about 300 asthma-related deaths are reported annually.
Adults may experience symptoms throughout their lives or develop them for the first time in adulthood. Factors such as exposure to certain fumes, hormonal changes, and obesity may contribute to who develops asthma later in life.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. This is known as an asthma exacerbation, or more commonly, an asthma attack.
An asthma attack can last from minutes to days and is a leading cause of hospital visits and missed time from school or work. If left untreated, severe attacks can be life threatening. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, it can be managed with proper treatment.
Asthma attacks can be triggered by allergies such as dust mites, pollen, mold, or pet dander. They may also be caused by smoke, cold air, pollution, chemicals, intense emotions, or exercise.
Who is at risk of asthma?
Researchers have not determined an exact cause of asthma, but there are several risk factors that can lead to the disease. Many patients are first diagnosed in childhood, but it is also common to be diagnosed as an adult.
Some known risk factors for asthma include:
- Family history: Kids of parents with asthma are 2.5 to 3 times more likely to have it.
- Allergies: Certain allergies that affect the nose and eyes increase asthma risk.
- Premature birth: Being born before 36 weeks increases risk of developing asthma later in life.
- Childhood lung infections: Certain lung infections at an early age increase risk of asthma.
- Occupational exposures: Chemicals, dust, and fumes can cause adult-onset asthma.
- Hormones: Women are more prone to asthma after menopause.
- Air Quality: Smoking, exhaust fumes, and pollution can trigger asthma.
- Obesity: Extra weight around the chest and inflammation can worsen asthma risk.
Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)
Some people experience asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath within 5 to 10 minutes of exercising, forcing them to stop.
Our airways function best with warm, moist air. Typically, air enters our body through the nose where it is warmed and moistened before it reaches the lungs. However, during exercise with heavy breathing, cold and dry air can enter the airways through the mouth which can trigger asthma attacks. Allergens and air pollution can also worsen symptoms in people with asthma.
For those who experience exercise-induced asthma, doctors may prescribe inhalers to use before or during exercise to help open the airways and reduce inflammation. Warming up before exercise, cooling down afterwards, and choosing indoor exercise when its cold outside or if air quality is poor can also help prevent symptoms.
How can we help?
Your London Drugs pharmacist can help identify symptoms consistent with asthma, answer your questions and concerns, and can recommend follow up with a doctor if needed. They can also assist you in managing prescribed medications, teach you how to use inhaled medications correctly, and provide advice on preventing and treating asthma attacks. Ask us about simple to use peak flow meters to monitor how well your lungs are working, or spacer devices to help deliver inhaled medications more effectively to your lungs.
Don’t be left without medication. Talk to your pharmacist if you have run out of medication or if it is expired. They can often conveniently extend or refill your prescription without contacting your doctor.
