Asthma

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. Although there’s currently no cure, there are a variety of treatments that can help to keep symptoms under control.1 

People of all ages can develop asthma, although it often starts in childhood. Most people will find out they have asthma after experiencing symptoms and visiting their GP. 

Your GP will talk to you about your symptoms and may suggest doing some simple tests to confirm if you have asthma.¹ Tests might include blowing or breathing into a machine. Your doctor may also suggest an allergy test to check whether your asthma is caused by an allergy. 

These tests can’t always be done with young children, so your GP might give your child an inhaler until they’re old enough to have the tests.¹

The main symptoms of asthma are:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing.¹

Sometimes, your asthma symptoms will suddenly get much worse. This is known as an asthma attack.

An asthma attack is when your asthma symptoms suddenly get worse.² You may struggle to breathe properly, even when using your reliever inhaler.

If you start to feel worse, or your symptoms don’t improve even after ten puffs of your reliever inhaler, call 999.²

Your risk of having an asthma attack goes down if your asthma is well-controlled. This is why it’s important to have an asthma action plan and see your GP or asthma nurse at least once a year to make sure your symptoms are well-managed.²

If your asthma affects your daily life, wakes you up from sleep or you have to use your inhaler three or more times a week, visit your GP as soon as possible.²

You’re more likely to have eczema or hay fever if you also have asthma, especially if your asthma started in childhood.⁶ These conditions are sometimes called the atopic triad.

You’re also more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnoea and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease if you have asthma.⁷ You can help reduce this risk by staying at a healthy weight and making sure your asthma is well-controlled.⁷

If you have a lot of asthma attacks or your asthma is poorly controlled, you’re more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a serious condition that gets worse over time, and having COPD and asthma can make your asthma symptoms worse.⁷

To reduce the risk of developing COPD, keep up with your asthma treatment and have regular reviews with your GP or asthma nurse. It’s also very important to stop smoking if you smoke.⁷

Some people with asthma find that their symptoms disappear over time, especially if your asthma started when you were a child.¹

But asthma is a lifelong condition, and your symptoms may reappear.¹ Don’t stop any treatment without talking to your GP.