CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH

CHRONIC LUNG
DISEASE AND
SHORTNESS OF
BREATH

This information sheet is designed for people who experience chronic lung disease,
including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, or a combination of these conditions.
Your doctor may have used names like COAD (Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease) or
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

Since there are many different chronic lung diseases, this information sheet will
deal with each condition separately.

Bronchitis
Bronchitis causes redness and swelling of the small airways (inflammation) . Swelling of the
small airway lining may block the airway, making it harder to breathe. Excess mucus (which
is easily infected by bacteria) is produced in the airways. This causes coughing and a lot of
the mucus may be coughed up. This process can largely be reversed with treatment.

Most adults have a bout of acute or short-term bronchitis at some time in their lives.
Normally this lasts a week or two at the most. People with chronic bronchitis produce a lot of
mucus. They may experience symptoms of coughing and shortness of breath for months or
even years.

Emphysema
In emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs are gradually destroyed. This makes it difficult for
the lungs to absorb enough oxygen from the air into the blood. As the air sacs are
destroyed, the small airways lose their support and function. They become blocked and are
no longer able to provide an adequate air supply. Emphysema cannot be reversed.

Asthma
People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When exposed to certain triggers
(e.g. pollens, dust), their airways narrow. This is due to inflammation, mucus production and
tightening of the muscle around the airway. Medication can reverse the narrowing and
inflammation of the airways and dry up the mucus in the lungs.

Diagnosis
The doctor may order spirometry (a lung function test which measures breathing) and a
chest x-ray to diagnose your problem. People often reduce their activities to lessen episodes
of shortness of breath. A vicious cycle begins to develop, leading to less activity, a
decreased fitness level and increased loss of lung function.

Worried about exercising
because of shortness of breath
Even more short of
Gradually less active
breath when exercising

Feeling weaker

Less fit and less able

to exercise

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Tips to improve life if you are short of breath
• Be well informed. Learn as much as you can about your condition and how you can manage it.

• Understand your medications and use them according to your doctor’s advice.

• Discuss all your medications (prescription and over-the-counter) with your doctor and pharmacist to ensure

they are compatible. Some medications taken for other conditions can make your shortness of breath

worse.

• Quit smoking. Smoking contributes to the development and worsening of lung conditions. Call the Quitline

on 131 848 for help and support.
• Exercise should be part of your daily routine. Ask your doctor or physiotherapist for advice on suitable

activities.

• Breathing exercises, including breath control, can be helpful. Ask your doctor or physiotherapist for advice.

• Adequate nutrition is essential. Ask a dietitian for advice.

• Ensure that your general health is under control. Yearly influenza (flu) immunisation and/or every five years

a pneumococcal immunisation are recommended.

• Oxygen therapy may be indicated for certain people. Ask your doctor.

• Join your local LungNet Support Group. Meeting people with similar problems and find out how they have
managed to be in control



What to do in an asthma emergency: Use the 4-step asthma first aid






1. Sit the person upright and give reassurance.





2. Without delay give 4 separate puffs of a reliever (Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl or Ventolin). The medicatio
is best given one puff at a time via a spacer device*. Ask the person to take 4 breaths from the space


after each puff of medication.





3. Wait 4 minutes.


If there is little or no improvement repeat steps 2 and 3.



4. If there is still no improvement call an ambulance immediately (DIAL 000).


5.





Continuously repeat steps 2 and 3 while waiting for the ambulance


(*Just use the puffer on its own if you don’t have a spacer.)








Further Information:

• Contact your local doctor.

• Contact Asthma Victoria on 1800 130 645 or www.asthma.org.au
• LungNet 1800 654 301. (Note: LungNet support groups are not in all Australian states).

• The respiratory clinic at your major hospital















For further information contact your local doctor
or call Asthma Victoria on 1800 645 130 or visit Asthma Victoria’s website: www.asthma.org.au



This resource satisfies the guidelines and standards approved by the National Asthma Council and Asthma Australia. The materials
contained in this publication are distributed for information purposes only. Suitable medical and professional advice should be obtained

before acting on any information contained herein.


©Asthma Victoria April 2003.

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