Asthma
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. If you have asthma your airways are almost always sensitive and inflamed. When you come in to contact with something you are allergic to, or something that irritates your airways (a trigger), your airways will become narrower, making it harder to breathe. The muscles around the walls of your airways tighten. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell and often sticky mucus or phlegm is produced. This will lead to you experiencing asthma symptoms.

What are the asthma symptoms?
Asthma symptoms can vary. You may find that you start to cough or wheeze, get short of breath, or have a tight feeling in your chest. Despite what many people think, wheezing does not always occur. In fact, coughing is the most common asthma symptom.

About asthma attacks
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are about taking your asthma treatment and avoiding your triggers, you may find that you have an asthma attack. Most people find that severe asthma symptoms are the result of a gradual worsening of symptoms over a few days.

If your asthma symptoms slowly get worse – don't ignore them! Quite often, using your reliever is all that is needed to get your asthma under control again. At other times, symptoms are more severe and more urgent action is needed. You can use a personal asthma plan to check the signs of worsening asthma symptoms and remind yourself what you need to do in an emergency.

What to do in an asthma attack

• Take your usual dose of reliever straight away, preferably using a spacer
• Keep calm and try to relax as much as your breathing will let you
• Sit down, don't lie down rest your hands on your knees to help support yourself try to slow your breathing down as this will make you less exhausted
• Wait 5-10 minutes
• If the symptoms disappear, you should be able to go back to whatever you were doing
• If the reliever has no effect, call the doctor or ambulance
• Continue to take your reliever inhaler every few minutes until help arrives preferably using a spacer. It is safe to keep taking your reliever inhaler until help arrives. It is not possible to overdose on reliever.

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• If you are admitted to hospital or an Accident & Emergency department because of your asthma, take details of your treatment with you. You should also make an appointment with your doctor or practice nurse after you have been discharged from hospital so that you can review your asthma treatment to avoid the situation arising again.