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 and most people with asthma can live normal lives.
If you have asthma, things you can do to help include:
- using your inhaler correctly – Asthma UK has information about using your inhaler, and you can ask a nurse or GP or practice nurse for advice if you’re still not sure
- using your preventer inhaler or tablets every day – this can help keep your symptoms under control and prevent asthma attacks
- checking before taking other medicines – always check the packet to see if a medicine is suitable for someone with asthma, and ask a pharmacist, doctor or nurse if you’re not sure
- not smoking – stopping smoking can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of the symptoms of asthma
- exercising regularly – exercise should not trigger your symptoms once you’re on appropriate treatment; Asthma UK has advice about exercising with asthma
- eating healthily – most people with asthma can have a normal diet.
- getting vaccinated – it’s a good idea to have the annual flu jab and the one-off pneumococcal vaccination
- identify triggers – it’s important to identify possible asthma triggers by making a note of where you are and what you’re doing when your symptoms get worse. What triggers your Asthma is different for everyone and Asthma UK have lots more information on common triggers.
