Asthma is a common condition that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness. Most people with asthma who take the appropriate treatment will lead active and normal lives, but left untreated, asthma can cause permanent damage to the airways.

Symptoms of asthma

The usual symptoms of asthma are

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• tightness in the chest.

Not everyone will get all of these symptoms. Some people experience them from time to time; a few people may experience these symptoms all the time. If you have these symptoms make an appointment with us as it usually means we need to discuss your treatment and improve how you feel. We may ask you to do some peak flow readings to assess your lung function (this is a test where you have to blow out as fast as you can into a tube).

The practice will periodically offer you an appointment with our practice nurse to review your asthma control and treatment. This will usually be in your birthday month.

Treatment of asthma

There isn't a cure for asthma. However, treatments are available to help manage your symptoms. Your treatment plan will be individual to you, combining medicines and asthma management in a way that works best for you. Generally you will need "reliever" inhalers (eg blue salbutamol) to take at the time of symptoms and "preventer" inhalers (such as brown/ pink inhalers) which reduce you getting symptoms in the first place. 

Living with asthma

Medicines are only part of your treatment for asthma. You will also need to deal with the things that make it worse. Keep a diary to record anything that triggers your asthma - this can help you to discover a pattern. Using a peak flow meter to monitor your lung function can also help. If you have repeatedly low readings in a certain situation (for example, at the end of a working day, after exercise or after contact with an animal) this may indicate the trigger.  A good way of assessing your asthma is to complete the Asthma Control Test questionnaire or fill it out online Online Asthma Control Test and discuss the results with our practice nurse. Keeping active, your weight down and not smoking can make a big difference.

Useful Links

Asthma UK - This website has really useful stuff on asthma control and excellent videos on how to properly use your inhalers

NHS - Asthma - Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of Asthma.

NHS Lothian Respiratory Services - Useful inhaler technique and training guide.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.