Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.

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.

Symptoms of asthma

The main symptoms of asthma are:

• a whistling sound when breathing (wheezing)
• breathlessness
• a tight chest, which may feel like a band is tightening around it
• coughing

The symptoms can sometimes get temporarily worse. This is known as an asthma attack.

The exact cause of asthma is unknown.

People with asthma have swollen (inflamed) and “sensitive” airways that become narrow and clogged with sticky mucus in response to certain triggers.

Genetics, pollution and modern hygiene standards have been suggested as causes, but there’s not currently enough evidence to know if any of these do cause asthma.

Who’s at risk?

A number of things can increase your chances of getting asthma. These include:

• having an allergy-related condition, such as eczema, a food allergy or hay fever – these are known as atopic conditions
• having a family history of asthma or atopic conditions
• having had bronchiolitis – a common childhood lung infection
• exposure to tobacco smoke as a child
• your mother smoking during pregnancy
• being born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or with a low birthweight

Some people may also be at risk of developing asthma through their job.

Asthma triggers

Asthma symptoms often occur in response to a trigger. Common triggers include:

• infections like colds and flu
• allergies – such as to pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers
• smoke, fumes and pollution
• medicines – particularly anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin
• emotions, including stress, or laughter
• weather – such as sudden changes in temperature, cold air, wind, thunderstorms, heat and humidity
• mould or damp
• exercise

Once you know your triggers, trying to avoid them may help control your asthma symptoms.

Asthma UK has more information on asthma triggers.

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Work-related asthma

In some cases, asthma is associated with substances you may be exposed to at work. This is known as occupational asthma.

Some of the most common causes of occupational asthma include:

• isocyanates (chemicals often found in spray paint)
• flour and grain dust
• colophony (a substance often found in solder fumes)
• latex
• animals
• wood dust

Paint sprayers, bakers, pastry makers, nurses, chemical workers, animal handlers, timber workers, welders and food processing workers are all examples of people who may have a higher risk of being exposed to these substances.

Want to know more?

• Asthma UK: occupational asthma
• Health and Safety Executive: asthma at work
• MORE POSTS CLICK HERE

Tests for asthma

The main tests used to help diagnose asthma are:

• FeNO test – you breathe into a machine that measures the level of nitric oxide in your breath, which is a sign of inflammation in your lungs
• spirometry – you blow into a machine that measures how fast you can breathe out and how much air you can hold in your lungs
• peak flow test – you blow into a handheld device that measures how fast you can breathe out, and this may be done several times over a few weeks to see if it changes over time

After you’re diagnosed with asthma, you may also have allergy tests to see if your symptoms might be triggered by an allergy.

TREATMENT

There’s currently no cure for asthma, but treatment can help control the symptoms so you’re able to live a normal, active life.

Inhalers – devices that let you breathe in medicine – are the main treatment. Tablets and other treatments may also be needed if your asthma is severe.

You’ll usually create a personal action plan with a doctor or asthma nurse.

This includes information about your medicines, how to monitor your condition and what to do if you have an asthma attack.

Inhalers

Inhalers can help:

• relieve symptoms when they occur (reliever inhalers)
• stop symptoms developing (preventer inhalers)

Some people need an inhaler that does both (combination inhalers).

to learn how to use your inhaler properly CLICK HERE

Reliever inhalers

Most people with asthma will be given a reliever inhaler. These are usually blue.

You use a reliever inhaler to treat your symptoms when they occur. They should relieve your symptoms within a few minutes.

Tell a GP or asthma nurse if you have to use your reliever inhaler 3 or more times a week. They may suggest additional treatment, such as a preventer inhaler.

Reliever inhalers have few side effects, but they can sometimes cause shaking or a fast heartbeat for a few minutes after they’re used.

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Preventer inhalers

If you need to use a reliever inhaler often, you may also need a preventer inhaler.

You use a preventer inhaler every day to reduce the inflammation and sensitivity of your airways, which stops your symptoms occurring. It’s important to use it even when you do not have symptoms.

Speak to a GP or asthma nurse if you continue to have symptoms while using a preventer inhaler.

Preventer inhalers contain steroid medicine.

They do not usually have side effects, but can sometimes cause:

• a fungal infection of the mouth or throat (oral thrush)
• a hoarse voice
• a sore throat

You can help prevent these side effects by using a spacer, which is a hollow plastic tube you attach to your inhaler, as well as by rinsing your mouth or cleaning your teeth after using your inhaler.

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Combination inhalers

If using reliever and preventer inhalers does not control your asthma, you may need an inhaler that combines both.

Combination inhalers are used every day to help stop symptoms occurring and provide long-lasting relief if they do occur.

It’s important to use it regularly, even if you do not have symptoms.

Side effects of combination inhalers are similar to those of reliever and preventer inhalers.

Tablets

You may also need to take tablets if using an inhaler alone is not helping control your symptoms.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs)

LTRAs are the main tablets used for asthma. They also come in syrup and powder form.

You take them every day to help stop your symptoms occurring.

Possible side effects include tummy aches and headaches.

Theophylline

Theophylline may also be recommended if other treatments are not helping to control your symptoms.

It’s taken every day to stop your symptoms occurring.

Possible side effects include headaches and feeling sick.

Steroid tablets

Steroid tablets may be recommended if other treatments are not helping to control your symptoms.

They can be taken either:

• as an immediate treatment when you have an asthma attack
• every day as a long-term treatment to prevent symptoms – this is usually only necessary if you have very severe asthma and inhalers do not control your symptoms

Long-term or frequent use of steroid tablets can occasionally cause side effects such as:

• increased appetite, leading to weight gain
• easy bruising
• mood changes
• fragile bones (osteoporosis)
• high blood pressure

You’ll be monitored regularly while taking steroid tablets to check for signs of any problems.

Other treatments

Other treatments, such as injections or surgery, are rarely needed, but may be recommended if all other treatments are not helping.

Injections

For some people with severe asthma, injections given every few weeks can help control the symptoms.

The main injections for asthma are:

• benralizumab (Fasenra)
• omalizumab (Xolair)
• mepolizumab (Nucala)
• reslizumab (Cinqaero)

These medicines are not suitable for everyone with asthma and can only be prescribed by an asthma specialist.

The main side effect is discomfort where the injection is given.

Surgery

A procedure called bronchial thermoplasty may be offered as a treatment for severe asthma. It works well and there are no serious concerns about its safety.

You will be sedated or put to sleep using a general anaesthetic during a bronchial thermoplasty. It involves passing a thin, flexible tube down your throat and into your lungs. Heat is then used on the muscles around the airways to help stop them narrowing and causing asthma symptoms.

Complementary therapies

Several complementary therapies have been suggested as possible treatments for asthma, including:

• breathing exercises – such as techniques called the Papworth method and the Buteyko method
• traditional Chinese herbal medicine
• acupuncture
• ionisers – devices that use an electric current to charge molecules of air
• manual therapies – such as chiropractic
• homeopathy
• dietary supplements

There’s little evidence to suggest many of these treatments help.

There’s some evidence that breathing exercises can improve symptoms and reduce the need for reliever medicines in some people, but they should not be used instead of your medicine.

Work-related asthma

If you seem to have occupational asthma, where your asthma is linked to your job, you’ll be referred to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis.

If your employer has an occupational health service, they should also be informed, along with your health and safety officer.

Your employer has a responsibility to protect you from the causes of occupational asthma. It may sometimes be possible to:

• substitute or remove the substance that’s triggering your asthma from your workplace
• redeploy you to another role within the company
• provide you with protective breathing equipment