With World Asthma Day upon us, we thought it was worth shedding some light on this common disease. Let’s take a look at some of the signs and symptoms that crop up for those afflicted, along with the unexpected link its severity may have to sugar.

Asthma is one of the top 10 burdensome diseases in Aussies, with a whopping 417 deaths in 2020 alone. Though we’re seeing lower rates of deaths in recent years, we’re still losing far too many lives to this condition, and it’s why World Asthma Day is so important in the fight to improve the awareness and management of the disease. New research is also underway around the link between excess sugar consumption and asthma – for instance, one study found that consumption of sugary beverages was associated with a to 3.5 times higher incidence of the condition. Researchers found that even just one sugary drink was enough to raise the risk for asthma! While the field of research here is still growing, it’s worth cutting down on our intake of the sweet stuff – not just for respiratory health, but to prevent obesity and heart disease too. Now let’s have a look at the common symptoms associated with asthma.

Wheezing

This is a classic sign of asthma and can sound like a whistling or rattling noise when breathing. It can be triggered by exercise, allergies, or exposure to irritants like smoke or dust. 

Shortness of breath

Another common symptom of asthma is feeling like you can't catch your breath. This can be scary and make it hard to do everyday activities. To help manage shortness of breath, breathing exercises like pursed lip breathing can help slow down your breathing and make it easier to take in air.

Chest tightness

People with asthma often describe a feeling of tightness in their chest, like someone is sitting on their chest. This can make it hard to breathe deeply or even move around comfortably. To help relieve chest tightness, try taking a hot shower or using a warm compress on your chest. This can help relax your muscles and ease the feeling of tightness.

Coughing

Asthma can also cause a persistent cough, especially at night or early in the morning. This can be triggered by postnasal drip or exposure to irritants in the air. To help reduce coughing, try using a humidifier in your bedroom at night, which can help soothe your airways and make it easier to breathe. 

Fatigue

Asthma can be exhausting, especially if you're struggling to breathe all the time. This can make it hard to get through your day without feeling wiped out.

There are a number of other symptoms worth looking out for:

• Difficulty breathing: Feeling like you can't take a deep breath, or like you're breathing through a straw.
• Rapid breathing: Breathing faster than normal, especially during an asthma attack.
• Anxiety: Feeling anxious or panicked due to difficulty breathing.

Asthma can be a challenging condition to manage, but there are many effective treatments available to help you breathe easier. By paying attention to your symptoms and working with your healthcare provider to find the right treatment plan for you, you can live a full and active life with asthma. So don't let asthma hold you back – take control of your symptoms and keep on breathing!

Whether you’re looking to eat healthier or fight off a sugar addiction, we’re here to help. Join us for the 8-Week Program and we’ll help you change the way you look at food – and that doesn’t mean you have to follow restrictive diets or miss out on your favourite foods; we believe you can still enjoy delicious food without jeopardising your health. You might even consider gifting your mum with the program! With celebrity chef Sarah Glover on our panel of experts, you’ll have an array of fun recipes at your fingertips, along with our own exclusive armoury of simple, tasty and healthy recipes for everything from daily meals to impressive entertaining. We know it can be hard to stick to your health goals – especially when you’re trying to manage it alone. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
2. 90+ member-only recipes.
3. Community forums to share your journey.
4. Support and guidance from the I Quit Sugar team.
5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!