It is a common condition that affects the smaller airways of our lungs. It can start at any age, but often starts when we are children.

The typical symptoms are wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Treatment usually works well to ease and prevent symptoms.

The symptoms of asthma are caused by inflammation in the airways, which may be triggered by different things in different people. The inflammation causes the muscles around the airways to squeeze.

This causes narrowing of the airways. It is then more difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs. This leads to wheezing and breathlessness. The inflammation also causes the lining of the airways to make extra mucus which causes cough and further blockage to the airflow

Some environments can trigger peoples asthma, different people have different triggers, some possible examples are:

• Infections - colds, coughs and chest infections can make your breathing worse
• Pollens - tree, grass etc
• Moulds - in your home or outside 
• Exercise - some peoples breathing is worse with exercise but otherwise fine, they may benefit from having an inhaler
• Medications - some people can't take ibuprofen type drugs or beta blockers
• Smoking and vaping - both yourself but also inhaling someone else smoke can make your asthma worse
• Fumes - such as from paint 
• Pet fur allergies
• House dust mites - these little bugs live in our mattresses, carpets, curtains. Sometimes people are allergic to these and it can make their asthma worse

Treatment is usually with inhalers. A typical person with asthma may take a preventer inhaler every day (to prevent symptoms developing) and use a reliever inhaler as and when needed (if symptoms flare up). 

Please click on this link to read more about all treatments available for asthma (NHS.UK).

When you start using an inhaler it can be tricky to know how to use it properly. Also sometimes we need to change your inhaler, there are lots of different kinds, and they can have differtent ways of working so please click on the Asthma&Lung logo to be able to watch a short video about your inhaler. 

Patients who have been diagnosed with asthma will be invited to complete the asthma review questionnaire every year and may be asked to attend an asthma review appointment with our nurse Pam. 

Your asthma symptoms can get worse, to help you feel more in control and to know what to do if your symptoms do get worse you will be given an asthma management plan, please click on Adult management plan or Child management plan to read more about this. 

Asthma and lung uk - great resource to learn more about asthma and how to manage your symptoms

My lungs my life - useful site for knowing more about how to cope with asthma and other lung problems 

NHS Asthma - NHS guidance about asthma