Like other major health problems, asthma has varying degrees of symptoms. As such, the degree and frequency of the symptoms limits many aspects of the asthmatics life. To describe the main limitations suffered by those with chronic asthma, asthma must be defined.

Asthma is a condition whereby the sufferer has difficulty breathing due to widespread narrowing of the airways of the lungs. This narrowing can be caused by a local inflammation of the air-ways, muscle contraction or the production of excess mucus with in bronchi. (R.Roberts, 1996) Most common is bronchial asthma. Medical definitions of asthma suggest that environmental triggers can substantially contribute to the occurrence of an asthma attack. The review of asthma in Victoria (1988) by the Asthma Foundation of Victoria

Nonetheless, not all studies on education programs show positive conclusions. A British research paper 'Greenwich Asthma Study' of 1291 asthmatics conducted in 1993 and 1996 found that their model of service delivery was not effective in improving the outcome of asthma in the community. The intervention program used was based on the British Thoracic Society's guidelines and was conducted by specialist nurses in community based settings. There were similarities in the methodology and intervention measurement. However, they concluded that no evidence was found for an improvement in asthma related quality of life among newly surveyed patients in intervention practices compared with control practices. (Premaratne, 1999)

In 1989 an Australian Asthma management (AMP) plan was set up as a guideline for health professionals. The guideline was set up as a common consensus among health experts to help tackle the irregular diagnosis and treatment of asthma. More particularly, to help combat the increase of asthma induced admissions to hospitals due the occurrence of unnecessary asthma attacks. This report outlined 6 important steps to aid the doctor and the sufferer as to the basis of good asthma management. They include (1) Assess the severity of asthma; (2) achieve best lung function (3) maintain best lung function by identifying and avoiding triggers; (4) maintain best lung function with optimal medication; (5) develop an action plan; and (6) educate and review regularly. (Woolcock, 1989) Current research by Beilby (1997) highlighted that having an action plan can play a vital role in preventing hospital admissions and death from asthma. An asthma action plan is a co-ordinated method of management that covers all aspects a persons asthma - medication, triggers factors, lung function measurements, etc.

Some psychological and social problems can also be considered as a consequence of the interaction with physiological limitations. The Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention (1995) states that "asthma is a chronic disorder that can place considerable restrictions on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of the lives of patients and may have an impact on their careers". Chronic asthma sufferers have to live with the need for treatment and with the limitations that having asthma places on their everyday lives. It is in this context that the asthmatics life area's are most likely to be handicapped.

4. How effective are the educational programs undertaken by organizations such as Asthma Victoria?

Similarly, fear also plays a predominant role in children who suffer from asthma.... with one in four Victorian children fearing not being able to breathe as a result of asthma (King, 1988). Furthermore, the relationship between asthma and emotional and /or severe behavior problems is documented in a 1995 study by R,Bussing et al. In particular they tend to suffer from limited school functioning, inability to attend school and need for special school or special classes.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Australian Asthma, Asthma Campaign, Global Strategy, Management Prevention, Foundation Victoria, Thoracic Society's, Australia Asthma, Beteyko Siberia, Bureau Statistics, Australia USA, asthma management, national asthma campaign, asthma campaign, national asthma, education programs, lung function, global strategy, chronic asthma, asthma foundation, asthma victoria, people asthma, global strategy asthma, strategy asthma management, education programs adults, asthma management prevention,
Approximate Word count = 2871
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)