What is asthma?
19 April 2011
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. When a person with asthma comes into contact with an asthma trigger (such as a cold virus), the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten and the airways become narrower. The lining of the airways become red and swollen and often produces sticky mucus or phlegm. All of these reactions lead to the symptoms of asthma.
There are over 5 million people in the UK diagnosed with asthma, including over 1 million children and it is the most common long-term condition amongst our young people.
Is asthma still a problem?
Yes, while for some people their asthma is mild or well controlled with medication, for over half a million people their asthma is very serious and difficult to control and has a debilitating effect on their lives. This can mean they struggle to do even simple activities; they are unable to work, they are housebound or unable to ever be left on their own in case they have fatal asthma attack.
Shockingly, three lives are lost to asthma every day in the UK and over 200 people are rushed to hospital every day suffering from an asthma attack. These terrible statistics can be improved with better understanding of the condition by individuals, employers, teachers and healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of asthma
The common symptoms of asthma are:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest.
Not everyone with asthma will get all of these symptoms. Some people may experience them occasionally while a few may get these symptoms all the time.
What triggers asthma symptoms?
A trigger is anything that irritates the airways and causes asthma symptoms.
An important aspect of controlling asthma is avoiding triggers. Everyone’s asthma is different and each person may have one or several triggers. Here are some of the most common asthma triggers:
- Colds and viral infections
- Cold air
- Cigarette smoke
- Furry and feathery animals
- Dust
- Pollen
- Working environments
Treatment for asthma
The most effective way of taking most asthma medicines is to inhale them so they get straight into the lungs.
- Relievers
Relievers are medicines that are taken when needed to relieve asthma symptoms. They quickly relax the muscles surrounding narrowed airways, making it easier to breathe again. Everyone with asthma should have a reliever inhaler (usually blue). They are essential for treating asthma attacks and should be taken when you experience symptoms. If you are using your reliever inhaler three or more times a week, your asthma may not be under control and you should see your doctor or asthma nurse for an asthma review. You can also speak to your pharmacist, or call the Asthma UK Adviceline (0800 121 62 44). - Preventers
Preventers control swelling and inflammation in the airways, reducing sensitivity and the risk of asthma attacks. The protective effect builds up over a period of time, so they need to be taken every day (usually twice a day), even when your child is feeling well. Not everyone with asthma will be prescribed preventer medicine. Preventers are usually brown, red or orange inhalers. - Long-acting relievers
Long-acting reliever inhalers help to relax narrow airways and are used in addition to your preventer. They go on acting for a longer time than normal relievers and are usually used twice a day to have an effect. They should always be taken alongside preventers. - Combination inhalers
Combination inhalers contain both a long-acting reliever and a steroid preventer. They should be taken, every day as prescribed, even when you are feeling well. If you have been prescribed a combination inhaler your doctor or asthma nurse should explain to you how it works, or you can ask your Pharmacist to show you. Combination inhalers are usually purple or red and white. - Spacers
Inhalers can be in spray form (aerosol) or dry powder form. If your child has an aerosol inhaler, using a spacer device with this inhaler is the most effective way for them to take their medicine.
Top tips for managing asthma effectively
- Knowing what medicines to take and when to take them is an important step towards keeping your asthma symptoms under control.
- Eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid getting dehydrated.
- Review your symptoms and medicine with your doctor or asthma nurse at least once a year (more frequently if you have severe asthma symptoms or in the case of your children, every six to 12 months).
- Tell your doctor or asthma nurse how asthma symptoms affect your lifestyle so that they can help you to identify ways to overcome these to make your life better.
- Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse about the medicines that you are taking, how to identify and avoid triggers, and how to cope with a long-term condition.
- Use your preventer inhaler regularly as prescribed. This will reduce your risk of having an asthma attack if you come into contact with a trigger.
Asthma and the workplace
Half of people with asthma tell us that things at work make their asthma worse. This means that asthma is an issue for individuals as well as employers and can have a big impact on businesses.
In most cases their asthma is not caused by work, but there can be things at work that make it worse, even to the point of triggering an asthma attack.
In fact 43% of people with asthma report that their condition can get in the way of them doing their job and there are millions of working days lost to asthma each year.
Asthma UK asked people with asthma if things at work made their asthma worse - 40% said 'yes' and these are the things they blamed:
- Dust 62%
- Cigarette smoke 38%
- Stress 27%
- Chemicals 19%
- Fumes 17%
- Perfumes/air fresheners 14%
Occupational Asthma
Some substances that you might come across at work can actually cause asthma. The condition can take weeks, months or even years to develop, depending on the person and the substance.
If you think your asthma has been caused by something at work, look out for these clues:
- Your asthma symptoms are worse during the working week, at work or after work
- Your symptoms may get worse after work, or you may find your sleep is disturbed during the night
- Your symptoms improve when you have been away from work for several days (for example when you are on holiday).
You can take control of your asthma by knowing what medicines to take, how much and when to take them. It is also important to avoid things that trigger your asthma and know what to do if your symptoms get worse. If your asthma is under control you are more likely to have a better quality of life and be more able to do the things you want to.
About the author
Asthma UK, the charity working on behalf of over 5 million people affected by asthma, can offer expert help and advice for people with asthma, parents of children with asthma, employers and anyone caring for people affected by asthma. They have a confidential Adviceline staffed by asthma specialist nurses as well as tailored information for different age groups, different ethnic groups and different types of asthma. They have a range of free resources to help you understand and manage your asthma more effectively. They also provide training for teachers, childminders, pharmacists and healthcare professionals and a range of other services to help people with asthma have a better quality of life.
To find out more about the condition and how Asthma UK can help you see their website at http://www.asthma.org.uk/ or call 0800 121 62 55.
To find out more about how to manage asthma in the workplace and protect yourself or your staff see their website at www.asthma.org.uk/businessagainstasthma or call 0800 121 62 55.
Article copyright YourDoc Medical Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.
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