Facts on Asthma

Asthma affects more than 6 million people in the UK.

In this article:

What is asthma?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Effect on your life

Treatment

Advice & Support

What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition which affects the lungs and makes breathing extremely difficult whenever the onset of an asthma ‘attack’ occurs. The lungs become inflamed causing a kind of narrowing of the airways. This makes breathing more restricted and therefore uncomfortable.

With symptoms ranging from mild to severe, asthma generally starts in childhood and then becomes progressively worse as you reach adulthood. In fact, 1 in 20 adults in the UK suffer from asthma, with each person only able to cope with their condition as best they can through a specifically tailored treatment plan for them (as asthma cannot be cured).

Symptoms
Symptoms of asthma can include:

Breathlessness and general breathing problems (these are usually at their worst in the night)

A feeling of tightness in the chest

Increased heart-rate

Wheezing and coughing

Agitation and/or restlessness

Symptoms of asthma can last for anything between an hour and a period of weeks – with asthma attacks varying in length and severity from one person to another.

Causes
The precise cause of asthma is as yet unknown. However, a range of triggers that have been suggested and identified as possibly causing the onset of asthma symptoms include:

Allergies (e.g., pollen, moulds, house dust mites, and furry pets)

Chemicals and fumes (e.g., from solvents)

Infections (e.g., colds, cough, flu, chest infections…)

Certain medications (e.g., aspirin and beta-blockers)

Emotional upset (e.g., stress and/or anxiety)

Sometimes the symptoms of asthma can flare up during exercise, or for no apparent reason.

Also, you may have a genetic predisposition to having asthma. That is, the propensity to developing the condition is already in the family and has been passed down to you from another generation.

Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms and think that you may have asthma, arrange an appointment with your GP. After taking your medical history, they will ask you some questions about your symptoms (such as how often they occur and when) and then perhaps listen to your chest with a stethoscope to assess your breathing.

If they suspect that you may have asthma, they will examine your breathing in a more in-depth way using something called a PEFR test (peak expiratory flow rate). This is a handheld device which has been specially designed to take a reading of your breathing pattern and behaviour. If there is any doubt at this stage as to whether you are asthmatic, you may be asked to have a chest X-ray at your local hospital (this is not only to obtain a confirmed diagnosis, but also to rule out other possible respiratory conditions).

Other possible tests for asthma include a spirometry test which is specifically designed to measure lung-function, and allergy tests (either a skin test or blood test) to assess if certain substances trigger the onset of your symptoms.

Effect on your life
Asthma is an unpredictable condition and, for many sufferers, can be a frightening experience due to the onset of symptoms often being alarmingly sudden. Being unable to breathe or experiencing a state of restricted breathing can, of course, induce feelings of panic. However, the good news is that, with the right treatment and by learning to cope better by using techniques to manage your condition, it is possible to live a normal everyday life.

Treatment
Although there is no actual cure for asthma, there are a range of treatments available which include:

Inhalers – small, handheld gas containers. You press the top of the inhaler down and your prescribed gas medication is inhaled into your lungs either to prevent or to stop an asthma attack.

Nebulisers – more accurate than standard inhalers, nebulisers create a kind of vapour which is a combination of water and (your specific) asthma medication

A short course of steroid tablets (for particularly severe or lengthy attacks)

When it comes to taking preventative measures, the best thing you can do is to try to isolate and then avoid whatever triggers the onset of your asthma symptoms. Also, if you smoke, stop. Overall, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by combining a nutritious diet with regular exercise.

Advice & Support
Asthma UK
Tel: 0800 121 62 44
Website: www.asthma.org.uk


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