Figure 1. Asthma inhaler for using asthma aerosol medicines, preventer (usually steroid used daily) avoid symptoms developing; reliever (bronchodilator used when required) ease symptoms of an attack.
Table of Contents
Overview
Asthma is a condition in which the airway tubes are highly sensitive, temporarily narrow and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and triggers coughing, tightness of the chest, a whistling sound (wheezing) whilst breathing out, and shortness of breath.
Asthma affects people of all ages, but usually starts in childhood, and can first develop in adults.
The severity of asthma can vary from affecting the normal daily activity to a life-threatening asthma attack.
Asthma cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be controlled and managed to minimise the impact on daily life.
In UK, there are about 8Million people diagnosed with asthma. This is around 12% of the population, which is more than all other lung conditions combined. Many children grow out of the condition, leaving 5.4% people treated for asthma.
Signs & Symptoms
Asthma symptoms can vary over time in an individual and can also vary from person to person. There may be infrequent asthma attacks, at certain times, eg when exercising, or all the time.
Asthma signs and symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness (like a tight band) or pain
- wheezing on breathing out (common in children)
- trouble sleeping (caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing)
- coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, (eg cold or flu)
If you experience these symptoms, see your General Practioner (GP). The Doctor will have tests carried out to check how well your lungs are working. If required, you will be prescribed medicine(s) to control and manage the condition.
Signs of asthma worsening include:
- more frequent and/or severe attacks
- increasing difficulty in breathing
- more frequent need to use a quick-relief medicine inhaler
Signs and symptoms of asthma flare-up in certain situations including:
- exercise-induced asthma worsened when the air is cold and dry
- occupational asthma triggered by irritants, chemical fumes, pollutant gases or dust particles in the air
- allergy-induced asthma triggered by certain airborne substances
Severe asthma attack can be life-threatening, urgently see the General Practioner (GP) immediately for emergency treatment. Signs of an asthma emergency include:
- rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
- no improvement after using a quick-relief medicine inhaler (as prescribed, because overuse can worsen asthma)
- shortness of breath when doing little physical activity
Asthma triggers should be identified and avoided to help control and manage the condition.
Figure 2. Asthma inhaler use can help prevent asthma attack from occurring in the first place or secondly, help relieve an attack that has started.
Causes
Why some people get asthma, whereas others do not is unclear, but it is probably due to a combination of inherited genetics and environmental factors.
Breathing-in certain substances (allergens) can cause irritation to the lungs in people susceptible to allergies and can trigger asthma. The asthma triggers are different in different people and can include:
- pollen, mould spores, dust mites, cockroach waste, animal fur, or particles of skin and dried saliva shed by pets (pet dander)
- respiratory infections, eg common cold
- physical activity
- cold air
- air pollution, eg smoke
- certain ingredients in medicines
- strong emotions and stress
- additives in foods and drinks
- Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
Risk factors
Various factors increase the chances of developing asthma, including:
- inherited genetics
- having allergies
- high body weight
- smoking/passive smoking
- chemicals/fumes
Complications
Asthma complications include:
- asthma flare-up
- permanent narrowing of the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs (bronchial tubes)
- severe asthma attack
- side effects from some medicines used to stabilise severe asthma
- interference with sleep, work, and other activities
- feeling tired all the time
- stress, anxiety, or depression
- delay in child growth or puberty
- lung infection, eg pneumonia
Prevention
The best way to live with asthma is to prevent exposure to the trigger(s) causing the asthma attack.
Further Reading
Asthma
Written by BK Date created/updated 30.07.22
Reviewed by PJ Date Reviewed 06.08.22
