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Breathe Deeply
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult. Whereas, asthma is a chronic breathing disorder that affects the air passages of the lungs by causing inflammation, which leads to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or breathlessness.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic breathing disorder that affects the air passages of the lungs by causing inflammation,which leads to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or breathlessness. Asthma can interfere with our normal daily activities but it can also be life-threatening. In fact, about 500 Canadians die from asthma each year. Adults with asthma are at a higher risk of getting respiratory infections like influenza (flu) and pneumonia, so it is very important to get influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.
Asthma is not contagious, but hereditary and environmental factors can play a role in having asthma or triggering an asthma attack. These include:
| HEREDITY FACTORS | ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS | TRIGGERS |
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There are two kinds of medication for asthma
• “Relievers” relax the bands of muscle that surround the airways, quickly stopping an asthma attack but they do not reduce the inflammation.
• “Controllers” are taken regularly to reduce the inflammation in the airways, therefore symptoms lessen and attacks are prevented.
Help Yourself
Asthma affects people differently but it can be managed effectively. However, 60% of those with asthma are not in good control of their disease. If you or someone you care for has asthma, talk with your health care provider to determine suitable medication and management strategies.
These tips will help you control your asthma:
• Learn about asthma and its management
• Identify your asthma triggers; learn to avoid them
• Take your medications as directed
• Get regular check ups from your physician
• Follow an asthma action plan that you can use to manage your asthma. Visit http://www.asthma.ca/adults/control/pdf/AsthmaActionPlan_ENG.pdf
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It is a long-term disease, which largely affects older adults. It may also be called chronic bronchitis or emphysema. In COPD, the airways are partly blocked making it hard to get air in and out. Common symptoms are breathlessness, excessive mucus, and a chronic cough. COPD most often occurs in people age 40 and over with a history of smoking, although people who have never smoked can develop this condition
Treatment
COPD gets worse with time. There is no known cure, however, early and continued treatment can reduce the frequency of attacks and improve overall health. People living with COPD should not stop taking their medication. It is important to talk with your health care provider regularly about your medications and managing your COPD effectively.
Help Yourself
Improve the quality of your life by taking an active interest in managing your disease.
• Stop smoking – the single most important thing you can do.
• See your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
• Have regular check-ups every six months.
• Be physically active.
• Get your flu shot every year.
• Consult a qualified health care provider about pneumococcal vaccination.
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