Understanding Asthma and Reactive Airways Disease

Asthma is a condition where the lower airways become inflamed and overly sensitive, making it harder to breathe. During an asthma episode, patients may experience

• Wheezing

• Shortness of breath

• Chest tightness

• A dry, persistent cough

Many young children in Australia have these symptoms during respiratory infections such as the common cold. This is often referred to as viral wheeze, viral‑induced wheeze, preschool wheeze, or Reactive Airways Disease (RAD). Most children outgrow this pattern as they get older, although some will go on to develop longer‑term asthma. Asthma can also begin later in childhood or adolescence.

Asthma is more common in children and teenagers with a personal or family history of other allergic conditions such as eczema, food allergies, or hay fever as these conditions share similar genetic risk factors. The upper and lower airways are also closely connected so it is common for asthma flare‑ups to trigger or exacerbate hay fever symptoms, and vice versa.

How Is Asthma Treated?

Asthma treatment focuses on:

• Understanding and limiting exposure to triggers where possible

• Using prescribed preventer, reliever, or combination inhalers

• Treating coexisting conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, proactively

After taking a detailed history and performing a physical examination, Dr Willcocks can determine whether further tests or specialist assessments (e.g. referral to a respiratory physician) are needed to confirm an asthma diagnosis. She then develops an individualised treatment plan that addresses both asthma and any related conditions—such as allergic rhinitis—in a united way to help each patient achieve the best possible disease control.