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Asthma is a long-term condition where the airways in your lungs become swollen and sensitive. When something triggers them, they narrow and fill with mucus, making it hard to breathe. More than 5 million people in the UK get treatment for asthma.
Symptoms
- wheezing, a whistling sound when you breathe
- breathlessness
- a tight chest
- coughing, often at night or early in the morning
Symptoms often come and go, and may be worse at night, with exercise or when you have a cold.
Common triggers
- colds and flu
- pollen, dust mites, mould and pets
- cigarette smoke and air pollution
- cold air or sudden changes in the weather
- exercise
- some medicines, such as ibuprofen or aspirin in some people
- stress and strong emotions
- things at work, such as dust, fumes or chemicals
Getting diagnosed
A GP or nurse will ask about your symptoms and may do tests such as:
- FeNO test: you breathe into a machine that measures inflammation in your airways
- spirometry: you blow hard into a machine that measures how well your lungs work
- peak flow: you record how fast you can breathe out, over a few weeks
- a blood test, in some cases
Treatment
Most people use inhalers. Newer ways of treating asthma use one inhaler that both prevents and relieves symptoms. See asthma treatment.
Common questions
Can asthma be cured?
There is no cure, but good treatment means most people have few or no symptoms. Some children find their asthma gets better or goes away as they grow up, but it can come back later.
What is an asthma action plan?
It is a written plan you make with your GP or asthma nurse. It tells you which medicines to take every day, how to spot when your asthma is getting worse, and exactly what to do in an asthma attack.
Sources we used
- NHS, Asthma
- NICE guideline NG245, Asthma diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management
- Asthma and Lung UK
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