What is Asthma?
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.
What are the causes of Asthma?
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 birth weight
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Most children and adults with asthma have times when their breathing becomes more difficult. Some people with severe asthma may have breathing problems most of the time.
The most common symptoms of asthma are:
- wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- breathlessness
- a tight chest – it may feel like a band is tightening around it
- coughing
- happen often and keep coming back
- are worse at night and early in the morning
- seem to happen in response to an asthma trigger like exercise or an allergy (such as to pollen or animal fur)
Asthma attacks
Asthma can sometimes get worse for a short time – this is known as an asthma attack. It can happen suddenly, or gradually over a few days.
Signs of a severe asthma attack include:
- wheezing, coughing and chest tightness becoming severe and constant
- being too breathless to eat, speak or sleep
- breathing faster
- a fast heartbeat drowsiness, confusion, exhaustion or dizziness
- blue lips or fingers
- fainting
How is it diagnosed?
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
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
treatments for asthma
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.
You'll usually create a personal action plan with a doctor or asthma nurse.
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).
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
Source-
Asthma - NHS (www.nhs.uk)