Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a long term condition that affects the airways i.e. the small tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. Asthma is an inflammatory disease. The airways of people with asthma are usually red and inflamed. In asthma, the airways narrow and this makes breathing difficult.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

People with asthma can react badly during a cold, viral infection or when they come into contact with anything that triggers their asthma, such as pollen . Changes in the airways that occur in people with asthma mean that they  require much more effort to move air in and out of the their lungs.

The usual symptoms of asthma are:

• breathlessness
• wheezing
• chest tightness
• coughing

What are triggers?

Understanding what triggers affect an asthma sufferer and taking steps to avoid those triggers can have a real impact on their quality of life. Completely avoiding all triggers will not be possible but even reducing exposure to triggers can help improve symptoms.

Common asthma triggers include:

• pollen 
• animals (cats and dogs)
• house dust mites 
• cigarette smoke
• chemical fumes including perfumes 
• colds and flu
• cold air or change in air temperature 
• exercise

Living with asthma

People with asthma can help improve their asthma symptoms by taking care of their general health. Having asthma should not stop you from doing any activities and the ultimate goal of treating asthma is to be symptom free.

Specific changes to their lifestyle asthmatics should make include:

• Not smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising sensibly

Did you know?

• There are 5.2 million people in the UK with asthma
• 10% of the weight of a 2 year old pillow may be composed of dead dust mites and their droppings
• All humans shed about 5 to 10grams of dead skin each week. This can affect asthmatics greatly

How is asthma treated?

There are two main types of medication:

Reliever inhalers:

These are usually blue in colour. These are used by everyone with asthma to give rapid relief from symptoms. These inhalers ease attacks but they do not treat the inflammation that causes asthma. If you need to use this reliever inhaler more than once a day or three times a week you should see your doctor or asthma nurse who will usually prescribe an additional inhaler.

Preventer inhalers:

These are usually brown, red, purple or orange in colour. These are used to help control swelling and inflammation of the airways. This will stop the airways being so sensitive to any asthma triggers. These inhalers should be used every day even if your symptoms are under control.

Monitoring your asthma

Peak flow measuring is one of the most common and important tests in asthma. A peak flow meter is a small plastic tube that you blow into to measure how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs. Your peak flow reading helps you to monitor your asthma. Your reading will be low when your asthma is getting worse. Peak flow meters are available to buy from your pharmacist or from your GP on a prescription.

What is a personal asthma plan?

An asthma action plan is a written plan which is completed by you with the help of your asthma nurse, doctor or pharmacist. The plan contains information you need to keep control of your asthma. The plan will include information about your asthma medicines, how to tell if your asthma is getting worse and what you should do about it.

How well are you managing your asthma symptoms?

It is easy to check if your asthma is under control. Look at the following questions and if you have ticked one or more boxes your asthma may not be as well controlled as it could be. If this is the case talk to your asthma nurse, doctor or pharmacist.

• In the last month have you had difficulty sleeping because of your asthma symptoms (including a cough)?
• In the last month have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day (cough, wheeze, chest
  tightness, breathlessness)?
• In the last month has your asthma interfered with your usual activities (housework, work, school)?

What to do in an emergency?

If you have any of the following:

• too breathless to talk
• severe wheezing
• tight chest
• severe coughing

Then you are possibly having an asthma attack, you should:

1. take your usual dose of reliever (blue) inhaler straight away
2. sit up and loosen tight clothing, do not lie down
3. continue to take one puff of reliever every minute for five minutes
4. if your symptoms do not improve in five minutes or if you are in any doubt call 999
5. continue to take one puff of your reliever inhaler every minute until help arrives

3 Easy Ways To Look After Yourself

Recognise and deal with your personal asthma triggers. Use a peak flow meter and diary to help you monitor
how well your asthma is controlled. Ensure you have a written asthma action plan that sets out which medicines to take and when.

Your Numark pharmacist can help you:

• understand asthma
• use your medicines correctly to manage your asthma symptoms
• understand peak flow measurements
• know what to do in an asthma attack

For further informaton on controlling asthma ask your Numark pharmacist for advice.

Where can you find more information?

NHS direct

Tel: 0845 4647 Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Asthma UK

Tel: 0845 7010203 Web: www.asthma.org.uk

British Lung Foundation

Tel: 0845 8505020 Web: www.lunguk.org

This page last updated on 5th April 2009