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Asthma
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways in the lungs, causing them to become inflamed. The inflammation means the airways become narrower, so less air gets into the lungs and there is less surface area available to allow oxygen from the air to pass into the bloodstream
The impact of asthma varies greatly from person to person, but typical symptoms include:
- wheeze
- cough
- chest tightness
- breathlessness / shortness of breath
Symptoms are often worst first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and during exercise 
The cause of asthma is not fully understood, but the majority of people (19 out of 20) should be able to control their symptoms and maintain a normal lifestyle. However, this does require some effort, and a commitment to use the medicines that your doctor or nurse has prescribed for you, at the times and doses they have instructed
Treatment options
Most people with asthma are treated with inhalers which deliver medicine directly to the airways. Your doctor or nurse will select the most suitable inhaler for you depending on your symptoms, and ease of use
Preventers - these are used every day and reduce the inflammation in the airways. It usually takes at least 2 weeks of daily use for preventers to work effectively, that is why it is very important that it is used regularly each day, and not on an ad-hoc basis, and that you continue to use it every day. Preventer inhalers are usually coloured brown
Relievers - these are used to ease symptoms, such as chest tightness, breathlessness, shortness of breath. They relax the muscles in the airways which temporarily makes the airways wider, allowing more air into the lungs. If asthma is well controlled relievers should only be needed occasionally. Reliever inhalers are usually blue
Steroid tablets and long acting bronchodilators - these are prescribed when it is not possible to achieve good asthma control with just preventers and relievers
What can make asthma symptoms worse?
- Colds, coughs, and chest infections
- Hay fever (pollens)
- Cold dry days
- Exercise, but exercise is good for your lungs if you have
asthma, so aim to get good asthma control so you can exercise, rather than avoiding exercise because it increases your symptoms
- Medicines such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers,
and beta-blockers
- Smoking and cigarette smoke
- Paint and chemical fumes
- Stress, emotional upset, and even laughing can make symptoms worse for some people
What can you do that will reduce the impact of asthma on your lifestyle?
Have an assessment with one of our trained asthma nurses:
- They will show you how to use your inhaler properly so the maximum amount of medicine gets into your airways
- If your symptoms are not fully controlled they will be able to advise how adjusting your inhaler dose or timings will help
- Get a free flu vaccination in the winter, as flu and asthma is a very unpleasant combination
Asthma attacks
A severe asthma attack can be life-threatening. If you develop severe symptoms that are not
helped by a reliever inhaler, for example if you cannot get enough breath to talk, then you will need emergency treatment with high
dose reliever medicines and other treatments, usually given by a nebuliser. Contact your doctor or hospital emergency department
Further help and information: Asthma UK, Providence House, Providence Place, London, N1 0NT, Asthma Helpline: 0845 701 0203 www.asthma.org.uk
Source: LSMP