What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which leads to breathing difficulties, wheezing and coughing. Airways become hypersensitive to various triggers, causing muscle tightening and an excessive mucus response, which makes it difficult for air to flow in and out of the lungs.

Asthma symptoms can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Asthma affects approximately 2.7 million Australian adults, with prevalence relatively stable across age groups. Occupational asthma, asthma caused or exacerbated by workplace exposures, is a significant occupational health concern that impacts thousands of Australian workers.

Asthma exists on a control spectrum ranging from well-controlled to poorly controlled. Proper asthma management allows most people to lead everyday lives with minimal symptoms and unrestricted activities. Long-term poor asthma control can lead to permanent airway changes and deteriorated lung function.

Risk Factors

Genetic factors such as a family history of asthma and allergies increases risk. Environmental exposures during childhood, including respiratory infections, allergens, and air pollution, influence the development of asthma.
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Allergic conditions such as eczema, hay fever and food allergies are also associated with greater asthma risk. Occupational risk factors include exposure to dusts, chemicals, gases, and other irritants.

High-risk occupations include healthcare, cleaners, hairdressers, bakers, and automotive workers. Indoor and outdoor air quality can trigger symptoms and worsen existing asthma.

Lifestyle factors include smoking, obesity, stress and certain medications. Changes in weather, such as cold air, high humidity, or changes in air pressure, are triggers for some people living with asthma.

Impact of TENSH Habits

Physical Activity

Physical activity significantly improves asthma management by enhancing cardiovascular fitness, improving lung functional capacity, and strengthening respiratory muscles. Swimming is a good option for many people, as the warm, humid environment is less likely to trigger symptoms, and the horizontal positions and controlled breathing enhance lung capacity.

Muscle-Strengthening Exercise

Muscle-strengthening exercises enhance respiratory muscle strength and improve breathing control. Improved core strength supports better posture and breathing mechanics.

Controlled breathing

Controlled breathing techniques, particularly diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing, are fundamental for asthma management. These techniques help maintain calm during symptom onset, improve breathing efficiency, and may reduce the need for rescue medication.

Fruit & Vegetable Intake

Fruit and vegetable intake provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may reduce airway inflammation. Foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E and magnesium may have a protective effect on lung function. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasises plant-based foods, healthy fats, and limited intake of saturated fat and sugar, has a beneficial impact on asthma management.

Sugar & Saturated Fat

Managing added sugar and saturated fat helps to maintain body weight, as obesity is a risk factor for developing asthma and exacerbating symptoms. Processed foods may contain additives that trigger asthma in susceptible people living with asthma.

Managing Alcohol Intake

Alcohol intake can trigger asthma symptoms in people living with asthma who are sensitive to sulphites and histamines commonly found in alcoholic beverages. Excessive alcohol intake can also interfere with medication efficacy and immune function.

Mindfulness practices

Mindfulness practices help manage anxiety associated with breathing difficulties and can improve asthma control. Stress and anxiety often worsen asthma symptoms, creating a cycle where breathing difficulties increase anxiety, which further worsens breathing. Mindfulness practice can be an effective method to break this cycle.

Sleep Habits

Proper sleep habits are essential as poor sleep can worsen asthma control, while asthma symptoms often disrupt sleep, creating a challenging cycle that impacts overall health and daytime functioning.

Impact on the Workplace

Asthma can impact work productivity through absenteeism and presenteeism. Poor asthma control has been demonstrated to reduce productivity at work by 10-15% during symptomatic periods. However, this can be limited by good asthma control through education and management.

Workplaces can support people living with asthma by ensuring adequate air quality, access to temperature-controlled environments, and private areas for the use of inhalers and nebulisers. Flexible working arrangements can also be made during periods of high pollen or low air quality.

Workplaces must identify and control workplace asthma triggers as part of their work health and safety obligations.. This may involve substituting triggering chemicals, using appropriate personal protective equipment, and ensuring adequate ventilation. The workplace may need to develop a health monitoring program if risks are found.

Resources & Tools

Asthma Australia

Comprehensive education resources, action plan templates, trigger identification tools, and the "Asthma Buddy" mobile app for symptom tracking and medication reminders. They offer workplace asthma management programs and training materials.

National Asthma Council Australia

Evidence-based treatment guidelines, the Australian Asthma Handbook, medication guides, and professional development resources for healthcare providers. Their "Asthma and COPD Guidelines" provide comprehensive management protocols.

WorkSafe Australia

Occupational asthma prevention resources, workplace air quality guidelines, risk assessment tools, and regulatory compliance information for employers.