Kay Bailey, Contributor

About one in six persons in Jamaica is asthmatic. Asthmatics are persons who have chronic inflammation of the airways of the lungs. This means that the inflammation is always present and lasts for a long time .

The inflammation causes swelling of the lining of the airway, more mucus (cold) production than normal and spasm of the muscles that surround the airways. As a result of the condition, asthmatics wheeze, cough at night, are more easily tired by normal physical activity such as walking upstairs, running, playing sports and may even have symptoms after having a cold drink, eating ice cream or laughing.

Affected by the environment

This tendency for the airways to be inflamed is genetic and is affected by the environment. Asthmatics often experience a sudden worsening of the inflammation in the airways and get an asthma attack - severe frequent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

These attacks occur when asthmatics have the common cold or other infections. Attacks also occur when asthmatics are exposed to house dust, cockroaches, smoke or other pollutants, pollen from flowers and plants and dander from animals such as cats and dogs.

Controller medication

At present, no cure for asthma exists, but asthma can be controlled. When taking appropriate doses of controller medication, the asthmatic person can participate in the same activities as his or her peers without fear of symptoms.

Controller medications include inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta2-agonist, leukotriene modifiers and long-acting theophylline. These medications would be prescribed by your doctor based on the degree of severity.

Patients (and parents) can monitor the degree of control they have achieved over their asthma by asking themselves some simple questions (shown below).

Questions for assessingasthma control

How many days per week do I have cough or wheeze or chest tightness or shortness of breath?

When you are totally controlled you will have zero days or at most two days/week with these symptoms.

How many days per week do I use my reliever/rescue inhalers (Salbutamol/Ventolin)?

When you are totally controlled you will use your reliever inhaler zero days or at most two days/week.

How many nights per month do I have cough or wheeze or chest tightness or shortness of breath?

When you are totally controlled you will have zero nights with these symptoms.

How much does my asthma limit my activity (school/work/exercise/daily living)?

When you are totally controlled you will have no limitation of your activities. You will be able to exercise and play sports without problems

Your asthma is controlled when you have no symptoms and no limitation of activity, that is, you can work, play and do your normal activities without having symptoms or problems. Medications to control asthma can be adjusted to achieve control for each person. This would be done by working closely with your doctor.

Part of an asthma control programme involves seeing your doctor at least every three to six months to assess control. Your doctor may also do additional tests to determine control by assessing lung function and inflammation in the lung.

Dr. Kay Bailey is a consultant paediatric pulmonologist and a member of the Paediatric Association of Jamaica; yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.