Asthma

Over five million people in the UK are being treated for asthma, with one in every five households affected. It is a condition that affects the airways so that when something irritates them they become constricted and inflamed, causing uncomfortable symptoms.

The most common symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath, a tight feeling in the chest, coughing and wheezing. Asthmatics may experience these symptoms with varying degrees of severity and frequency.

The roots causes of asthma may be linked to a number of factors. This can include a family history of the condition, diet, lifestyle and environmental factors, a mother smoking during pregnancy or parents who smoke around children and illnesses leading to the condition developing in adult life.

What is more certain is that there are triggers that can cause an asthma attack in those with the condition. These triggers can be smoke, pollution, dust mites, allergies to animals, pollen, food, medication, viral infections, hormones, moulds, emotions, or exercise.

There is not yet an actual cure for asthma. However, there are some highly effective treatments that can reduce symptoms and enable sufferers to carry on with their lives as normal.

Reliever inhalers are a common way to treat symptoms of asthma. When attacks occur, breathing in the medicine in the inhaler relaxes the muscles around the airways, easing discomfort. There are also preventer inhalers which gradually help reduce sensitivity in the airways and therefore reduce attacks. Inhalers may be used with a plastic spacer, a container that increases their effectiveness and both types are available from your G.P.

In severe cases, steroid tablets may be prescribed to soothe inflammation and in emergencies doctors may use a nebuliser, a machine that delivers high doses of medicine in a mist that is inhaled.

Some people also use complementary therapies, including breathing techniques and homeopathy, to ease asthma symptoms.

There are basic steps you can take to keep your asthma under control:

• Talk to your G.P openly about your symptoms, the triggers and which medication to take when.
• Keep a note of what triggers your symptoms and adapt your lifestyle so that you avoid irritants as much as possible.
• Review your condition with your G.P. issues regularly and inform them of any issues or changes.