Asthma

1 in almost 500 people suffers from Asthma. The condition is described as a sensitivity response which promotes swelling of the airway - the tube which carries air from our nose, down the throat and into our lungs for breathing. The swelling narrows the airway, limiting air-entry and causing difficulty breathing. During an Asthma attack, the airway narrows and produces extra mucus which causes the following symptoms:

• shortness of breath,
• coughing,
• tightness and pain in the chest,
• wheeze (a whistling sound when one breath) and
• sleep apnoea.

When severe, these symptoms can be life-threatening. The excessive swelling can damage the lungs over time, resulting in a permanent reduction of lung function. This is why an early diagnosis and consistent management are so important for asthmatics.

In order to diagnose Asthma, Dr Abdullah will look at your medical history and perform relevant diagnostic investigations, such as breathing tests to ascertain lung and respiratory tract functioning and allergy testing.

Asthma is not curable, but with proper medical support, it can be managed. Early and effective treatment is the key to preventing long-term lung damage and to prevent the condition from advancing.

Treatment modalities include:

• Identify and avoid exposure to allergens.
• Medications (like corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers) to prevent the swelling and irritation of the airway. These should be taken on a regular basis for maintenance, irrespective of attacks.
• Bronchodilators to dilate (widen) the air passage, allowing the free flow of air during the attack phase.

With due consideration to age, severity and complications, Dr Abdullah recommends a combination of the above-mentioned treatments to manage their symptoms consistently.