The Wyndhamvale resident was diagnosed with asthma at the age of seven, but was hit with another devastating blow two years ago.

Mrs Cursio was told she had emphysema, a legacy of five decades of smoking.

A chronic condition of the respiratory system, in which the airways can become constricted, inflamed and filled with excess mucus, asthma causes wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Although it has many similar symptoms, emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which impedes airflow.

There are several forms of asthma, and it can be genetically inherited or, as in Mrs Cursio's case, triggered by exposure to allergens such as pollen or warm air.

Now 69, she survives on two Ventolin inhalers and must stay indoors when it is hot due to her emphysema.

"Northerly winds have a major impact on my emphysema, and if I go outside I start gasping and have to quickly come inside near the air conditioner," she said.

"It's like a choking sensation, but you don't know how long it's going to last.

"If I knew at 16, what I know now, I wouldn't have started smoking.

"If I go anywhere near a Wattle during spring [with asthma] I can't get my breath. At times I've had to go to hospital.

"It feels as if you're suffocating with every breath you take, as if all the oxygen is going from your body and you're about to pass out - it's frightening."

Asthma Foundation of Victoria chief executive Robin Ould says more than two million Australians live with the disease.

"One in six children and one in nine adults have asthma. However, just because asthma is so common, we shouldn't be complacent about it," he said.

"Every person with asthma should have a written asthma action plan developed with their doctor, which tells them how to manage their asthma on a daily basis and what to do in an emergency."

National Asthma Week starts on Monday.

Maureen Cursio is assistant secretary of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease gentle exercise group

which meets at 9.30am each Monday at Iramoo Community Centre, 80 Honour Avenue, Wyndhamvale.

Details: David on 9731 0904 .