Asthma is a common disease that affects about 5.4 million people in the UK. It often starts in childhood, but it can occur for the first time at any age - even in people in their 70s and 80s. It is estimated that there is a person with asthma living in one in five households in Britain.

When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates their airways (an asthma trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten.

The airways become narrower and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell. All these reactions make it difficult for people to breath, leading to symptoms of asthma.

Although the specific cause of asthma is unknown, there are many factors that contribute. It can be sometimes difficult to avoid all your triggers but once you have identified them, there are precautions you can take to better control your asthma.

Remember, asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled so that attacks can be prevented. Most people with asthma who take regular treatment such as inhalers have entirely normally lives without loosing time from school or work, and enjoy full involvement in sport and other recreations.

Too many people with asthma spend time in hospital when they shouldn’t have to. If your asthma is under control, you’re more likely to have a better quality of life and be more able to do the things you want to.

As well as taking your regular asthma medication, there are simple lifestyle and self-help measures that you can take to reduce your symptoms and your risk of having an asthma attack. These include:

• Avoiding your asthma triggers e.g. pet hair, pollens, or perfumes.

• Stop smoking and stay in a smoke-free environment.

• Get appropriate regular exercise.

• Taking care in the cold weather.

• Eating healthy.

For more information, advice and support on asthma, please visit www.asthma.org.uk.

Dr Mary Armitage, Medical Director.

medical@rbch.nhs.uk