What is Asthma?
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.
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It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults. There's currently no cure, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so it does not have a big impact on your life.
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Symptoms of asthma
The main symptoms of asthma are:
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a whistling sound when breathing (wheezing)
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a tight chest, which may feel like a band is tightening around it
The symptoms can sometimes get temporarily worse. This is known as
an asthma attack.
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When to see a GP
See a GP if you think you or your child may have asthma.
Several conditions can cause similar symptoms, so it's important to get a proper diagnosis and correct treatment.
The GP will usually be able to diagnose asthma by asking about symptoms and carrying out some simple tests.
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Find out more about how asthma is diagnosed.
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Treatments for asthma
Asthma is usually treated by using an inhaler, a small device that lets you breathe in medicines.
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The main types are:
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reliever inhalers – used when needed to quickly relieve asthma symptoms for a short time
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preventer inhalers – used every day to prevent asthma symptoms happening
Some people also need to take tablets.
Causes and triggers of asthma
Asthma is caused by swelling (inflammation) of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. This makes the tubes highly sensitive, so they temporarily narrow. It may happen randomly or after exposure to a trigger.
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Common asthma triggers include:
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allergies (to house dust mites, animal fur or pollen, for example)
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smoke, pollution and cold air
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exercise
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infections like colds or flu
Identifying and avoiding your asthma triggers can help you keep your symptoms under control.
How long asthma lasts for
Asthma is a long-term condition for many people, particularly if it first develops when you're an adult. In children, it sometimes goes away or improves during the teenage years, but can come back later in life.
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The symptoms can usually be controlled with treatment. Most people will have normal, active lives, although some people with more severe asthma may have ongoing problems.
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Complications of asthma
Although asthma can normally be kept under control, it's still a serious condition that can cause a number of problems. This is why it's important to follow your treatment plan and not ignore your symptoms if they're getting worse.
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Badly controlled asthma can cause problems such as:
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feeling tired all the time
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underperformance at, or absence from, work or school
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stress, anxiety or depression
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disruption of your work and leisure because of unplanned visits to a GP or hospital
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delays in growth or puberty in children
There's also a risk of severe asthma attacks, which can be life threatening.
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Information taken from: www.nhs.net
Video: Asthma
Animated video about asthma, the causes, triggers and treatment.
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Globally there are 300 million people with asthma, making it one of the most common long-term conditions. myAsthma provides 24-hour self-management, education and expert advice to patients with adult asthma.
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myAsthma brings you the world's first online self-management app helping you to achieve the very best control. Built by asthma experts and patients, myAsthma puts you in control like never before. Suitable for users 12 years of age or older.
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myAsthma is the first app to incorporate Symptonet, our AI engine that helps patients to manage their asthma. Symptonet intelligently deliver better outcomes by analysing symptoms. For example, if Symptonet detects a patient is using their rescue inhaler more than expected, they're given further advice on how to manage their symptoms. Symptonet powers annual reviews, health checks, sends reminders, understands triggers and tracks symptoms to build a truly personalised care system. Symptonet is a revolution in patient self-management.
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For further information, visit myAsthma and myInhaler
If you would like to be registered to have access to the my mhealth app, there is no need to speak to your GP, the Health and Wellbeing team can do this for you. Please contact the team with the information required - patient’s name, date of birth, NHS number, email address and the app you wish to have access to, e.g. COPD, Asthma, Diabetes, Heart Disease or myOp.
Please note - this service is only available until the 28th March 2024 for new patients to register.