Experience | Leaflets | Diagrams | Support | Patient+ | Guidelines | Weblinks | Poems | Videos | News | Products | Other
Asthma - Picture Summary
Post your experienceSee others (13 there)

Some key points about asthma
- Asthma is common. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
- Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. The cause of the inflammation is not known.
- The inflammation causes the muscle in the airways to contract, and also extra mucus to form. These make the airways narrower than normal.
- Symptoms caused by the narrowed airways include: wheeze, cough, and shortness of breath.
- Certain 'triggers' make symptoms worse in some people. For example, exercise, colds, pollen, allergy to pets, air pollution.
- Most people with asthma are treated with inhalers.
- Reliever inhalers relax the muscle in the airways. This gives quick relief of symptoms as the airways open wider. These are also known as 'bronchodilator' inhalers as they dilate (widen) the airways (the bronchi). You use these inhalers 'as required' if symptoms develop.
- Preventer inhalers reduce inflammation. The drug in most preventer inhalers is a steroid. You use these inhalers regularly each day to prevent symptoms from occurring.
- Long acting bronchodilator inhalers work in a similar way to 'relievers', but work for up to 12 hours after taking each dose. One may be needed if symptoms are not fully prevented by the preventer inhaler alone. (Some brands of inhaler contain a steroid plus a long acting bronchodilator for convenience.)
- Most people with asthma should take a regular preventer inhaler. The aim is to prevent symptoms so that you can get on with a normal life.
- You may need a short course of steroid tablets now and then to treat a bad attack of asthma. Steroids reduce inflammation.
- You should not smoke.
- Make sure you know:
- how to take your inhalers.
- which is your reliever inhaler, and which is your preventer inhaler.
- what to do if symptoms get worse.
More information
This leaflet gives a brief summary of asthma. Another leaflet in this series called 'Asthma' gives more detailed information. See also separate leaflets on 'Inhalers for Asthma' and 'Peak Flow Meters'.
Further help and information
Asthma UK
Summit House, 70 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2DB
Asthma Helpline: 0845 7 01 02 03 Web: www.asthma.org.uk
The National Asthma Campaign is the independent UK charity dedicated to conquering asthma. It funds research, offers help and advice, and campaigns for a better deal for people with asthma.
References
- Asthma, Clinical Knowledge Summaries (2007)
- British Guideline on the Management of Asthma, British Thoracic Society and SIGN (May 2008)
- Brian J Lipworth; Modern drug treatment of chronic asthma. BMJ 1999;318:380-384 ( 6 February )
The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.
Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey
Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.
Related pages in Patient UK
Your Experience (^ top of page)
Please add your experience about this condition / medicine
View Patient Experience for 'Asthma' (13 there)Health Topic information leaflets related to this topic (^ top of page)
Asthma
Asthma - Peak Flow Diary
Asthma - Peak Flow Meter
Inhalers for AsthmaDiagrams related to this topic (^ top of page)
Lung - asthma attack (diagram)
Peak Flow Diary (diagram)Support Groups related to this topic (^ top of page)
Asthma UK
British Lung Foundation
European Federation of Asthma and Allergy AssociationPatientPlus articles related to this topic (^ top of page)
Acute Severe Asthma and Status Asthmaticus
Antileukotrienes
Asthma Action Plans
Beta-Adrenoceptor Agonists
Breathlessness
Bronchial Asthma
Diagnosing Childhood Asthma in Primary Care
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Management Of Adult Asthma
Management of Childhood Asthma
Nebulisers in General Practice
Occupational Asthma
Peak Flow Recording
Spirometry
Spirometry Calculator
Wheezing in children
Which Device in AsthmaUK guidelines related to this topic (^ top of page)
Guidelines on AsthmaLinks to other selected websites related to this topic (^ top of page)
AsthmaPoems and stories related to this topic (^ top of page)
Beating Asthma
Billy's Wheezy Chest
Meet the Asthma Nurse
Vlad the ImpalerVideos related to this topic (^ top of page)
Links to online videos on AsthmaPatient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)
Recent related news items
Oxygen therapy in swine flu
'I was too fat to walk up the stairs'
Asthma Most Common Condition In Hospitalized Swine Flu Patients - Washington Post
Scots more allergic than English
Inhaler 'can worsen asthma for children'All news by related topic
Asthma newsRelated Products (^ top of page)
Online Pharmacy
DM1 SprayMedical equipment
Medical Bracelets
Nebulisers
Books
Asthma - A Simple Guide
Asthma - Best Medicine for Asthma
Asthma (Living with)
Asthma : British Medical Association's Family Doctor Series
Asthma Explained: A Guide for Patients and Carers
Asthma: Answers At Your Fingertips (4th Edition)
Living with Asthma
Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)
Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites
Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.
Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control over the content of any external links above. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.
Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window




