Asthma

In the UK, around 1,465 people die from asthma each year

Understanding Asthma: What You Need to Know

Asthma is a common long-term condition that affects the airways in your lungs, making it harder to breathe. It can affect people of all ages, and while there's currently no cure, the good news is that with the right treatment, most people with asthma can live full and active lives.

So, what exactly is asthma?

Asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. When someone with asthma encounters a trigger—such as pollen, cold air, dust mites, or even stress—their airways can become irritated. This leads to symptoms like wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, and a tight feeling in the chest.

These symptoms can vary from mild to severe. For some, asthma is a minor inconvenience. For others, it can be life-threatening if not properly managed.

How does asthma affect daily life?

Asthma can impact sleep, exercise, and work or school performance. Children might struggle to keep up with their peers during physical activities, and adults might find cold weather or pollution especially challenging. However, with good asthma control, these effects can be minimised.

Recognising the signs and symptoms

Common signs include:

• Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)

• Shortness of breath

• Coughing, especially at night or early morning

• Tightness in the chest

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms regularly, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional.

How is asthma diagnosed?

In the UK, asthma is usually diagnosed by a GP or asthma nurse based on a combination of medical history, symptoms, and breathing tests. These may include:

• Spirometry – This measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast. It helps check if your airways are narrowed.

• Peak flow test – You blow into a handheld device to see how quickly you can expel air. This may be done over several weeks to monitor changes.

• FeNO test – A simple test to measure inflammation in the lungs by analysing the nitric oxide in your breath.

• Trial of treatment – Sometimes, if test results are unclear, you may be given asthma medication to see if symptoms improve.

Together, these tools help build a clear picture of whether asthma is present and what treatment plan is best.

Asthma treatment in the UK

Asthma is managed using two main types of inhalers:

• Reliever inhalers (usually blue): Used during an asthma attack or when symptoms flare up. They work quickly to relax the muscles around the airways.

• Preventer inhalers (usually brown, orange, or red): Taken daily to reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms from occurring in the first place.

Some people may also be prescribed combination inhalers or tablets, depending on severity.

Everyone with asthma should have a personalised asthma action plan, created with their GP or asthma nurse. This outlines what medication to take, how to monitor symptoms, and what to do if symptoms worsen.

In an emergency

If someone is having an asthma attack:

1. Sit them upright and keep calm.

2. Help them take one puff of their reliever inhaler every 30–60 seconds, up to 10 puffs.

3. If symptoms don’t improve or worsen, call 999 immediately.

With the right diagnosis and treatment, asthma can be managed effectively giving you the freedom to breathe easy and live life to the full.

✅ Aftercare & Follow-Up

Once emergency services take over:

• Encourage a follow-up visit with their GP or asthma nurse.

• Ensure they have a written asthma action plan, inhaler technique training, and review their triggers.

🎯 Summary Table

Phase	Action
Pre-Attack	Know personal triggers and carry a blue inhaler.
During Attack	Sit upright, help with inhaler every minute (up to 6 puffs), call 999 if needed.
Post-Attack	Monitor, seek medical review, and update action plan.

🌟 Empowerment Through Knowledge

With the right care and awareness, people with asthma can manage their condition effectively and live active, fulfilling lives. Knowing how to spot symptoms and act quickly during an attack makes a huge difference.

🙋‍♀️ Quick Tips Checklist

• Have a blue reliever inhaler ready at all times

• Learn and practise proper inhaler technique

• Recognise triggers—like dust, smoke, pets, cold air

• Know the steps to take: up to 6 puffs, sit upright, stay calm

• Call 999 if symptoms don’t improve or escalate

If you would like to know more about Asthma check out https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/ or https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/ or for any other First Aid emergences book yourself and your team onto a course we me.