With 475,000 asthmatics, Ireland has the fourth highest prevalence worldwide, writes Kate Murray

Just how do you manage asthma in winter? before you look at that, you must first know exactly what asthma is: It is a condition which affects the airways, causing them to become over-sensitive, and react to things that wouldn’t normally affect them such as cold air and dust, making it difficult for the air to flow.

Although asthma may run in families, it is not genetic and is likely to be environmental, which may be caused by allergens, pollution, smoking or a change in the body’s response to the environment and in the winter months, chest infections, exposure to colds and viruses may exacerbate the problem.

Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, phlegm, tightness and shortness of breath, but not all symptoms may appear. Not pleasant and certainly not a condition made any better by winter elements.

Frances Guiney, an asthma nurse specialist for the Asthma Society of Ireland, says that asthma sufferers should get the flu shot, as seasonal flu is a highly infectious viral condition and can result in periods of prolonged illness. the flu is responsible for an increased number of hospital admissions in asthmatics and some cases can be life threatening.

In the last ten years there has been a significant rise in the number of asthmatics but recently, this has stabilised. so, how common is it?

One in five children have asthma and when it comes to teenagers, there are more male sufferers than female.

Asthma is usually diagnosed using clinical skills, which include patient and family medical history and an examination from a doctor. It is advised to visit your doctor as not all symptoms are asthma related, meaning your symptoms could belong to a different medical condition.

Asthma can become worse throughout the winter months as a result of cold and flu viruses which are triggers for some asthma sufferers. the change in temperature can also affect asthmatics with cold, frosty and windy weather exacerbating their condition.

Poor management is also a large factor and because some sufferers are unable to recognise their triggers and their signs of deterioration, they are unaware of why their condition is worsening. Specialists advise that you should record symptoms when they happen, where they happen and how frequently they happen to help figure out what triggers affect your condition.  

Regular exercise is beneficial for many health problems and especially asthma. Cardiac exercise helps with lung capacity, strengthens the breathing muscles and keeps the airways elastic.

For an asthmatic, a management plan is an extremely important tool in case someones asthma deteriorates.

According to the Asthma Society of Ireland, there are five main rules if someone suffers an asthma attack:

1. Ensure the reliever inhaler is taken immediately. It is usually blue and opens up narrowed air passages.

2. Sit down and loosen tight clothing.

3. Stay calm. Attacks may be frightening but it is important to stay calm.

4. If there is no immediate improvement continue to take the reliever inhaler every minute for five minutes or until symptoms improve.

5. If symptoms persist after the initial five minutes, or if you are in doubt, call 999 or a doctor urgently. Continue to take reliever inhaler until help arrives or symptoms improve. Do not be afraid of causing a fuss, even at night.

Asthma can affect anyone at any time in life and it is crucial to get it under control and get a proper management plan in place.

For more information about asthma, ask your doctor or visit asthmasociety.ie for information for sufferers, family members and for additional support, and information on asthma news and upcoming events.