Asthma - all you need to know

Adults

• Do you sleep badly with a cough, wheeziness, or difficulty breathing?
• Does coughing ever wake you up?
• Have you stopped enjoying any sport because of chest problems?
• Do you get surprisingly out of breath if you run or hurry?
• Do you avoid smoky places because they make you wheezy?
• Does anyone in your family have asthma or hayfever?
• Do you have difficulty shaking off a cold?

Children

• Do they ever wake up at night coughing?
• Do they cough or feel chesty in the mornings?
• Do they have to stop playing games because of coughing or breathlessness?
• Do they avoid games or play in positions that don't need a lot of running because of chest problems?

Causes
Asthma is linked to a number of factors, including the genes you have inherited, abnormal immune function, diet and exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke. There appear to be two different types of asthma, however, those linked with allergies (allergic asthma) and those causing irritation in non-specific ways (non-allergic asthma). People with asthma have airways whose linings are red and swollen and which become increasingly sensitive to certain triggers. Common asthma triggers include:

Allergic Asthma

Non-Allergic Asthma

• viral infections, for example, colds
• cigarette smoke
• cold or damp air
• exercise
• strong emotions, for example, laughter
  
• cosmetics and perfume
• air pollution
• hormonal changes, like periods or pregnancy in women
• acid reflux (indigestion)
• some drugs
• stress