Your respiratory system is the network of organs and tissues that help you breathe. These include the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The respiratory system does two very important things: it brings oxygen into our bodies, which we need for our cells to live and function properly; and it helps us get rid of carbon dioxide, which […]
COPD – What is COPD?
(With thanks to NZ Asthma+Respiratory Foundation) What is COPD? COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (sometimes called CORD for chronic obstructive respiratory disease) and is an umbrella term for the diseases emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma. COPD affects hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders, yet most have never even heard of it. Illustration courtesy of healthflexhhs.com […]
Asthma Medications
Content – Asthma – Asthma Medications Aug 2020 (With thanks to NZ Asthma+Respiratory Foundation) Medication, generally asthma inhalers, play a very important role in the day-to-day management of asthma. It is important that you understand how your medicines or asthma inhalers work, and then take them as prescribed. Make sure that you are well-organised when […]
Asthma – Asthma Triggers
(With thanks to NZ Asthma+Respiratory Foundation) A trigger is something that makes asthma worse or brings on an attack. Triggers are different for everyone and often it’s not just one trigger that sets off an asthma attack but a combination of several triggers around the same time. Knowing as much as you can about your […]
Asthma – Is your Asthma Under Control?
(With thanks to NZ Asthma+Respiratory Foundation) Asthma affects people in different ways – some people suffer from asthma symptoms constantly, some only get symptoms every few weeks, while others have their asthma so well controlled that they hardly experience symptoms at all. If you have symptoms of asthma more than three times a week, your asthma is not well controlled. Most […]
Asthma – What is asthma?
(With thanks to NZ Asthma+Respiratory Foundation) In New Zealand, over 597,000 people take medication for asthma – this includes an estimated 1 in 7 children and 1 in 8 adults. For children, asthma is one of the most common causes of hospital admissions. In 2015, 87 people died from asthma in New Zealand. Currently there is no cure for […]