Asthma Fact File

*Asthma means that the breathing tubes (bronchioles) in your lungs are oversensitive and become irritated easily. Irritation results in narrowing of the airways.

*About 600,000 New Zealanders have asthma.

*Asthma is more common in OECD countries than in developing countries. New Zealand has the second-highest rate of asthma in the world among 13- to 14-year-olds.

*It tends to run in families (meaning it can pass from parents to children) and is closely related to hay fever and eczema.

*There are a number of symptoms a sufferer may notice: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, raised shoulders, blueness around the mouth.

*Common asthma triggers include house dust mites, cat hair, pollen, strong perfume, exercise, cold air, stress, viral infection and cigarette smoke.

*There is no known cure for asthma but it can be controlled by finding out what triggers you to have symptoms, knowing what medication helps, and knowing what to do during an attack.

*For more information contact Asthma Auckland on 630-2293