Asthma

Symptoms

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.

Causes

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.

Risk Factors

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 birth weight 

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

Diagnosis

Asthma can usually be diagnosed from your symptoms and some simple tests. 

A GP will probably be able to diagnose it, but they may refer you to a specialist if they're not sure. 

Seeing a GP 

The GP may ask: 

• what symptoms you have 
• when they happen and how often 
• if anything seems to trigger them 
• if you have conditions such as eczema or allergies, or a family history of them 

They may suggest doing some tests to confirm if you have asthma. 

These cannot always be done easily in young children, so your child may be given an asthma inhaler to see if it helps relieve their symptoms until they're old enough to have the tests. 

Treatment Options

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

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).

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.

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 after using your inhaler.

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 such as Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), Theophylline, Steroid tablets if using an inhaler alone is not helping control your symptoms.

Other treatments 

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

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.