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Asthma & COPD

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are chronic lung conditions that make breathing difficult for millions of Canadians. When you have asthma or COPD, the small air passages in your lungs swell up or constrict, making it impossible to completely fill your lungs with air. Your lungs also produce excess mucus, which causes coughing. These conditions are painful, frightening and, if not properly controlled, very dangerous.

People with asthma can experience attacks or exacerbations in which their condition suddenly worsens, leading to shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing. COPD sufferers may also experience flare-ups where their condition worsens for a period of time.

Obstructive pulmonary conditions, such as asthma and COPD, are the fourth leading cause of death in Canada.

How asthma affects your lungs
How COPD affects your lungs
Do I have asthma?

What’s the difference between asthma and COPD?

The two diseases are very similar, with similar symptoms and triggers. Asthma, however, is controllable with medications, while COPD is an irreversible disease that gets progressively worse if left untreated.

Your doctor can tell whether you have asthma or COPD with a spirometry test, which measures your lung capacity and how fast you can inhale and exhale.

Causes of asthma and COPD

Asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, while COPD is caused by long-term inhalation of airborne chemicals, especially cigarette smoke.

No one knows for sure, but scientists think that people inherit a tendency for asthma from their parents. Whether or not you actually develop asthma is probably affected by your early childhood environment, particularly your exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke.

Asthma sufferers have triggers that can cause attacks or flare-ups. These triggers are not the same for everyone with asthma. What are some common triggers?

“Research on the effectiveness of interventions to prevent asthma is lacking. Breastfeeding and avoiding the exposure of infants and young children to house dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, and cigarette smoke may decrease the risk.”
- The Prevention and Management of Asthma in Canada, The National Asthma Control Task Force, 2000

Treatment

Asthma

There are two components to treating asthma: controlling the disease and relieving symptoms. Control means reducing inflammation, avoiding triggers and preventing an attack. Relief is about stopping an attack that is already in progress. Asthma that is under control should not prevent you from doing anything you want!

Both asthma control and relief come in the form of two kinds of inhaled medication: Controllers are usually taken every day to reduce inflammation in your lungs, while relievers, which quickly open constricted breathing passages, are taken only as needed and ideally not more than four times a week.

Six out of 10 asthma cases are NOT under control. Some resources to help get your asthma on track:

• Make your asthma action plan today!
• Are you using your inhaler properly?
• Know your asthma medications
• Is your asthma medication interacting with other drugs you are taking? Look up medications here.
• Peak Flow Meter

Go to the hospital if...

• you are having trouble walking or talking because you are short of breath
• your lips or fingernails are blue
• you have experienced any of the following for at least 15 minutes:
  • you feel short of breath and your reliever medication isn't helping
  • you cannot do your regular activities because you are short of breath
  • you feel very short of breath

COPD

There is no way to reverse the damage done by COPD, but there are several treatments that may alleviate the symptoms, ranging from inhalers and antibiotics to oxygen therapy. If you have COPD, you should stay in close contact with your doctor to create a customized therapy plan, and to communicate any changes in your condition.
Common COPD treatments

Getting Help

There is a wealth of resources available to help you control and live with your asthma.

• Find an asthma centre near you
• Ask an expert
• Find a doctor

Asthma

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Treatments
• Resources & Support

COPD

• COPD video tutorial (requires Flash Player)
• Symptoms & Causes
• Treatments
• Resources & Support

Is Your Asthma Under Control?

Which of these statements apply to you?

• My asthma bothers me four or more days per week.
• My asthma wakes me up at night.
• I avoid certain physical activities because of my asthma.
• Sometimes my asthma is worse and sometimes it’s better.
• I occasionally miss work or school because of my asthma.
• I take my "reliever" medication four or more times per week (not including my puff before exercise).
• My last peak expiratory flow (PEF) was less than 90% of my personal best.
• Sometimes I go to the emergency room or make an unscheduled doctor's visit because of my asthma.
• I’m not sure what to do if I get a cold or a respiratory tract infection.
• I find that my asthma gets worse at certain times of the year.

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above, your asthma may not be controlled as well as it could be. Consult your doctor.

Asthma Action Plan

Controlling your asthma doesn’t happen by accident. This printable plan will help you work with your doctor to hit your target peak expiratory flow (PEF) and stay symptom-free.
Download the Asthma Action Plan (requires Adobe Reader)

Pull the Triggers!

There’s a lot that you can do to avoid your asthma triggers.
Here are some helpful tips.

Asthma Quick Fact

PEF means Peak Expiratory Flow. It is a measure of how much air you can blow out of your lungs with a quick exhalation. You measure it with a peak flow meter. If your asthma is under control, your PEF should not be less than 90% of your personal best.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

Reading about conditions online should never replace a visit to your doctor. The information provided here can help you get educated about various conditions and their treatments. Always seek the advice of a physician or other licensed health care professional regarding any questions you have about your medical condition(s) and treatment(s).