Helping You Help Yourself – The Asthma Education Centre

Asthma is inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes through which air travels in and out of the lungs that can lead to wheezing, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, shortness of breath and other symptoms.

While the cause is not known, current research suggests a combination of environment, genetics and biology may lead to asthma. Each year, approximately 1700 people are treated in the KEMH Emergency Room with breathing difficulties related to asthma.

It is apparent that many of these cases could be avoided with proper preventive treatment. That’s why our focus at the KEMH Asthma Education Centre is to teach self-management skills to people who have been diagnosed with asthma to help them maintain control using the least amount of medication.

Among other things, the Centre will provide a peak flow meter and a “spacer” to increase the effective delivery of medication. In addition, the Centre educates clients who have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a serious lung disease that is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Attachment(s): Download Asthma Education Brochure