Asthma

When the airways become irritated, asthma can cause the body to react in three ways:

• The muscles around the walls of the airway tighten so that the airway becomes narrower
• The lining of the airways become inflamed and swell
• Mucus or phlegm sometimes builds up, which narrows the airways by partially blocking them

Causes of asthma

The reasons why some people get asthma are unknown.

Causes of sensitive airways such as genetics, pollution and modern hygiene standards have been suggested.

There is not enough evidence to support whether any of these do cause asthma.

However, we know that people with asthma are more likely to develop symptoms in response to a trigger.

The main symptoms of asthma include:

• Wheezing
• Breathlessness
• Chest tightening
• Coughing

For more information on the symptoms of asthma please click here.

The symptoms can get temporarily worse. This is known as an asthma attack.

Please see more information and advice on what to do during an asthma attack.

You may be more at risk of getting asthma if you have any of the following:

• Allergy related condition such as eczema, food allergies or hay fever
• Family history of asthma or allergies
• Previously had bronchiolitis
• Exposure to tobacco smoke as a child
• Your mother smoking during pregnancy
• Being born prematurely or with low birth weight
• Some people may also be at risk of developing asthma through their jobs.

For more on occupational asthma please see the links below:

• Occupational asthma
• Substances that can cause occupational asthma

Symptoms of asthma often occur in response to a trigger. Listed below are several common triggers:

• Infections especially coughs, colds and chest infections
• Exposure to air-borne allergens such as pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers
• Smoke (including cigarette smoke) and fumes (for example from paints, solvents and pollution)
• Medicines – particularly anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin and beta blockers like propranolol or atenolol
• Sudden changes in the temperature i.e. cold air & wind, heat and humidity
• Mould or damp
• Exercise – however exercise is good for you if you have asthma and if you get exercise-induced asthma it often means that your usual preventer treatment needs to be adjusted.

Asthma UK has more information on asthma triggers.

It is important to identify possible asthma triggers by making a note of where you are and what you’re doing when your symptoms get worse.

Speak to your doctor or asthma nurse for advice if you think you’ve identified a trigger in your symptoms.

You should visit your GP if you think you or your child may have asthma.

Your GP may be able to diagnose asthma by asking about symptoms and carrying out some simple tests.

When visiting your GP, they may ask you:

• What symptoms you have
• When they happen and how often
• If anything triggers these occurrences
• If you have any conditions such as eczema or allergies or any family history of them
• Your GP may suggest doing some tests to confirm whether you have asthma.

These can’t always be done with young children, so your child may be given an asthma inhaler to see if it helps relieve their symptoms until they’re old enough to have tests.

The main tests to help diagnose asthma are as follows:

• Peak flow test – You will blow into a handheld device, which measures how fast you can breathe out. This may be done several times over a few weeks to see if it changes over time.
• Spirometry – This is where you blow into a machine which measures how fast you can breathe out and how much air you can blow out in one breath.
• FeNo test – This is a more specialist test which is not always available. You breathe into a machine that measures the level of nitric oxide in your breath- this is a sign of inflammation in your lungs.

Once you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, you may also have allergy tests to check whether your symptoms are triggered by an allergy.

For more information on diagnosing asthma please click here.

Using your inhaler correctly and/or taking your tablets everyday can help keep symptoms at bay and prevent asthma attacks. You should always check the packet before taking other medicines to be sure it is suitable for someone with asthma. You can ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.

If you smoke, stopping can significantly reduce how severe and frequent your symptoms are. You can find more information on stopping smoking here.

Living a healthy lifestyle by eating healthily and exercising regularly is still important. Exercise shouldn’t trigger symptoms when on appropriate treatment.

It is advisable to have the flu jab once a year and the one-off pneumococcal vaccination. If you are diagnosed with asthma, then you are entitled to these immunisations at NHS expense.

Treatment can help control the symptoms of asthma so you’re able to live a normal, active life.

The most common type of treatment is inhaler devices. These let you breathe in medicine.

You and your doctor or asthma nurse will create an action plan. This usually includes information about your medicines, how to monitor your condition and what to do if your symptoms get worse.

For more information on the different type of asthma treatments click here.

You will have regular contact with your GP or asthma nurse to monitor your condition.

The appointments will usually involve talking about your symptoms and whether they are getting better or worse. You will also discuss your medicines and whether you may be experiencing side effects.

At your appointments you will have breathing tests to help to check whether your asthma is getting worse.

These check-ups are a good time to discuss queries and concerns and to review your action plan.

• Asthma UK
• Health and Safety Executive
• Patient info: Asthma

Prescription costs:

Check if you are eligible for free prescriptions

NHS: Am I entitled to free prescriptions?

If you have to pay prescription charges buying a pre-payment certificate may be less expensive

NHS: Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)

Exercise and asthma:

Patient info: What are the best forms of exercise if you have asthma?

Occupational asthma:

Asthma UK: Occupational asthma

Asthma and travel:

Asthma UK: Travelling with asthma

Asthma and pregnancy:

NHS: Asthma and pregnancy

Asthma and school or nursery:

Asthma UK: Asthma at school and nursery

Financial support for people with severe asthma:

Asthma UK: Benefits and severe asthma

What is asthma? | https://www.asthma.org.uk

Asthma UK | published on 24 October 2017

What is severe asthma? | https://www.asthma.org.uk

Asthma UK | published on 25 October 2017

Living with occupational asthma | https://www.asthma.org.uk

Asthma UK | published on 3 October 2017