A

AcneADHDAdult AllergiesAllergic RhinitisAllergyAlzheimer's DiseaseAnxiety DisorderArthritisAsthmaAsthma and PregnancyAthlete's FootAttention Deficit Disorder - ADD

B

Bacterial Skin InfectionsBedwetting in ChildrenBipolarBladder WeaknessBlocked NoseBlood ClotsBlood PressureBone HealthBreast MilkBreast Pumps

C

Cardiovascular DiseaseCervical CancerChild AllergiesCholesterolCholesterol Medication SupplementCholesterol or HyperlipidemiaChronic PainCobiotics and Gut HealthCold SoresColds and FluColon CancerConjunctivitisConstipation in ChildrenContraception ServicesCOVID-19COVID-19 - Hand sanitizing correctlyCOVID-19 - Your Mental Health

D

DementiaDepressionDepression Medication SupplementDiabetes Medication SupplementDiabetes prevention roadmapDiarrhoeaDrug AddictionDry EyeDry Hand SkincareDry Skin

E

EbolaEczemaEndometriosisEnlarged Prostate GlandEpilepsyExam StressExcessive Sweating

F

Female InfertilityFeminine HygieneFlu Vaccination

G

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) SupplementGastrointestinal Tract Conditions (gut)Generic vs originator medicinesGoutGouty Arthritis

H

Hair LossHead and Neck CancerHeadachesHeart Attack and StrokeHeart HealthHeartburn and UlcersHigh Blood Pressure - HypertensionHIV and AIDSHormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)Human Immunodeficiency Virus - HIVHypertensionHypertension Medication SupplementHypothyroidism

I

Immune BoosterInfant ColicInsomniaIron Deficiency AnaemiaIrregular HeartbeatIrritable Bowel Syndrome - IBSItchy Scalp

J

Joint Pain

K

Kidney Stones

L

Learning DifficultiesLiver ToxicityLiving with AsthmaLiving with DepressionLiving with EpilepsyLiving with Erectile Dysfunction (ED)Living with Parkinson's DiseaseLiving with Type 2 DiabetesLoss of AppetiteLow immune systemLung Cancer

M

Male InfertilityManaging AsthmaMemory FunctionMeningococcal MeningitisMenopauseMenopause - Changes in womenMental FatigueMetabolic SyndromeMigrainesMultiple SclerosisMultivitamin Support

N

Natural AlternativeNature's AntibioticNutrition and Baby Brain DevelopmentNutrition and Foetal Brain DevelopmentNutritional Support

O

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - OCDOpen WoundsOral Contraceptive SupplementOral Pain & DiscomfortOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOtitis Externa - Ear InfectionOveractive Bladder (OAB)

P

Paediatric Pain and FeverPain and InflammationPanic AttackParkinson's DiseasePiles And Varicose VeinsPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Postnatal DepressionPremenstrual Syndrome PMSProbioticsPsoriasisPulmonary Hypertension

R

Recurring ThrushRespiratory Tract ConditionsRingworm

S

SchizophreniaSexual HealthSinusitisSore ThroatStomach AilmentsStressStress and AnxietyStress and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Stretch Marks and Scars

U

UTIs - Urinary Tract Infection

V

Vaginal DrynessVaginal Thrush

W

WartsWhat is a generic medicine?

Explorer

All Brochures

Videos

BabySense

Yoga

Living with Asthma

Back to top

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

  • Coughing (worse during the night and early morning).
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Chest tightness or pain.
  • Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.
  • A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling.
Back to top

WHAT TRIGGERS ASTHMA?

  • Outdoor allergens, such as pollen from grass, trees and weeds.
  • Indoor allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites and mold.
  • Certain drugs and food additives.
  • Irritants in the air, such as smoke, chemical fumes and strong odours.
  • Respiratory infections, such as colds, the flu or other related illnesses.
  • Physical activity: Exercise (although people with asthma can benefit from exercise)
  • Stress.
  • Weather conditions, such as cold air or extremely dry, wet or windy weather.
Back to top

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

  • Know and avoid your triggers.
  • Try a dairy-free trial (cutting it out for one month): food sensitivities can “set off” an immune process in the gut that causes inflammation – dairy is one
    of the most common culprits.
  • Ask your doctor if any of the following foods can be triggering your asthma: Eggs, Soy, Wheat, Shellfish, Sulphite additives (used in food processing and preparation).
  • Seek out “good bacteria.” Probiotics — supplements containing live bacteria can boost the immune system in the gut, making it less likely to set off an inflammatory response.
  • Take vitamins, especially Vitamins C, D and E that support your immune system and help control inflammation.
  • Ask your doctor to perform a simple blood test to check your “D” level and
    recommend an appropriate dose.
  • Add a fish oil supplement: the Omega-3 Fatty Acids in fish oil help combat inflammation that constricts the airways. Look for one containing two to three grams’ total of Omega 3, or of DHA and EPA combined.
  • Keep your nasal passages clear: use a saline spray to clear your nasal passages. This will reduce strain on your airways by helping you breathe easy – and also cut down on post-nasal drip.
  • Breathe steadily: breathing techniques can help with symptoms of asthma, such as hyperventilation or stress.
  • Allergy Shots (ask your doctor).
Back to top

HOW TO CONTROL ASTHMA ATTACKS DURING SEASON CHANGES [1]

  • Keep an eye on the weather forecast for any changes and dress accordingly.
  • Always have the reliever inhaler wherever you go and take it as prescribed by the doctor.
  • Never leave the inhalers in direct sunlight or anywhere that is too hot.
  • Always check with your doctor if you are using the inhaler properly.
  • Avoid doing exercise outdoors during the hottest part of the day, that is, 11 am to 3 pm.
  • Remain indoors before, during or after a storm.
  • Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • While indoors, keep the doors and windows closed.
  • After being outdoors, change your clothing and shower to wash off any pollen.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of hay fever and use therapy provided by the doctor.
  • Write an asthma action plan for yourself.
  • Avoid other asthma triggers.
Back to top

VIDEOS

Medical References

Medical References

1. Asthma UK [Internet]. Weather: Have you noticed that a sudden change in weather can trigger your
asthma symptoms?. United Kingdom: Asthma UK; [updated 2019 Jun; cited 2019 Aug 19]. Available
from: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/weather/.

Head
Chest
Abdomen
Pelvis
Legs
Feet
Mental Health
Skin
General
Infant Health

Close Menu

For more health information

Click on the body area you want to know more about. Select a related health topic from the menu

Select a body area

TRENDING BROCHURE

COVID-19

Coronavirus 2019 – General information brochure

RECENT BROCHURE

Chronic Gout

Gout is the most common type of arthritis and is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals most often leading to painful inflammation in and around joints

RECENT BROCHURE

COVID-19 – Hand sanitizing correctly

How to sanitize your hands correctly 

RECENT BROCHURE

Diabetes prevention roadmap

Tips on how to prevent diabetes

RECENT BROCHURE

COVID-19 – Your Mental Health

“The corona pandemic that we are facing is simply like a slow-motion car crash – we are all in the process of being traumatized”
– Observations by Gary Viljoen, Clinical Psychologist, Cape Town

RECENT BROCHURE

Joint Pain

Arthritis is a joint disease and means “inflammation of the joints”.