Overview
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 appear for the first time in adults.
There's currently no cure for asthma, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so it doesn't have a significant impact on your life.
Some people, particularly children, may eventually grow out of asthma. But for others it's a lifelong condition.
Symptoms of asthma
The main symptoms of asthma are:
- wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- breathlessness
- a tight chest – which may feel like a band is tightening around it
- coughing
The severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. They usually come and go, but for some people they're more persistent.
Asthma symptoms can sometimes get temporarily worse. This is known as an asthma attack.
Read more about the symptoms of asthma.
When to get medical advice
See your GP if you think you or your child may have asthma.
Several conditions can cause similar symptoms, such as a chest infection or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so it's important to get a proper diagnosis and correct treatment.
Your GP will usually be able to diagnose asthma by asking about your or your child's symptoms and carrying out some simple breathing tests.
But these are often difficult to do in infants and young children, so the diagnosis may be made on the basis of symptoms and response to a trial of treatment with an inhaler.
Read more about how asthma is diagnosed.
Causes of asthma
Asthma is caused by inflammation (swelling) of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.
This inflammation makes the breathing tubes highly sensitive, so they temporarily become narrow. This may occur randomly, or after exposure to a trigger. The tubes may also sometimes become clogged with sticky mucus.
Common asthma triggers include:
- allergens, such as house dust mites, animal fur and pollens
- other irritants, such as cigarette smoke, strong smells, gases and
cold air - exercise
- chest infections
The reason why some people develop asthma isn't fully understood, although it's known that you're more likely to develop it if you have a close relative with the condition.
Read more about the causes of asthma.
Treatments for asthma
While there's currently no cure for asthma, there are a number of treatments that can help control the condition.
Most asthma treatments are taken using an inhaler, a small device that delivers a spray or powder medicine to your breathing tubes as you breathe in.
The main treatments are:
- identifying and avoiding asthma triggers if possible
- reliever inhalers – inhalers used when needed to quickly relieve asthma symptoms for a short time
- preventer inhalers – inhalers used regularly every day to reduce the inflammation in the breathing tubes, which prevents asthma symptoms occurring
You'll usually draw up a personal action plan with your doctor or asthma nurse. This will include information about your medicines, how to monitor your condition and what to do if you have an asthma attack.
Read more about how asthma is treated and living with asthma.
How long does asthma last?
Asthma is a long-term condition for many people – particularly if it first develops in adulthood.
In children, it sometimes disappears or improves during the teenage years, although it can return later in life.
The symptoms can usually be controlled with treatment and most people will have normal and active lives, although some people with more severe asthma may have persistent problems.
Complications of asthma
Although asthma can normally be kept under control, it's still a serious condition that can cause a number of complications.
This is why it's so important to follow your treatment plan and not ignore your symptoms if they're getting worse.
Badly controlled asthma can cause issues such as:
- persistent tiredness
- underperformance or absence from work or school
- psychological problems – including stress, anxiety and depression
- disruption of your work and leisure because of unexpected visits to your GP or hospital
- lung infections (pneumonia)
- in children, delays in growth or puberty
There's also a risk of life-threatening complications, such as severe asthma attacks.
