What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term condition that can cause wheezing, breathlessness and coughing. It often starts in childhood, but can happen for the first time at any age. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person. Asthma can be controlled well in most people most of the time.

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways – in particular, small tubes called ‘bronchi’. If you have asthma, the bronchi will be more sensitive than normal because of this inflammation. When you come into contact with something that irritates your lungs, known as a trigger, your airways become narrow, the muscles around them tighten and there is an increase in the production of sticky mucus (phlegm). This makes it difficult to breathe and causes wheezing and coughing. It may also make your chest feel tight.

A doctor explains what asthma is

Gender Male

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Catherine explains how important it is to know what things trigger your asthma.

Age at interview 39

Gender Female

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There is a wide variation of experience of asthma, ranging from very mild and occasional breathlessness and wheezing through to very debilitating symptoms. Symptoms can come and go throughout life.

Alastair has mild asthma that only affects him during the summer months. He treats it with an inhaler.

Age at interview 31

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 10

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Jenny has severe brittle asthma but doesn’t let her asthma define who she is as a person.

Age at interview 34

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 18

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Dee has had a severe asthma attack in the past, but now her asthma is successfully controlled and she sometimes forgets she has it. [AUDIO ONLY]

Age at interview 52

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 23

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Peter explains how his asthma has changed over time, and how it affects his life.

Age at interview 62

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 45

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A number of treatments can help control the condition very effectively. Treatment is based on two important goals:

  • relief of symptoms
  • preventing future symptoms and attacks from developing

The treatment of asthma has been steadily improving in the last few decades. Treatment options have increased and there is a greater awareness about asthma among both health professionals and the public. Many practices now have specialist asthma nurses.

Nicola says if you get the right treatment and use the medication correctly asthma need not interfere with your life.

Age at interview 24

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 7

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Sometimes the symptoms of asthma may worsen or be difficult to control. A severe onset of symptoms is known as an ‘asthma attack’ or an ‘acute asthma exacerbation’. Asthma attacks may require hospital treatment and can sometimes be life-threatening, although this is rare.

A doctor explains how a person having an acute asthma attack is treated in hospital. This may include oral steroid tablets and using a nebuliser to get medication into the airways effectively. Some people may need to go to hospital.

Gender Male

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Margaret describes an occasion when she had to go to hospital for an acute asthma attack.

Age at interview 62

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 47

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The number of both children and adults diagnosed with asthma has risen over the last few decades. It is not clear whether this is because there are more people with the condition or because diagnosis is now more accurate. There are some concerns that asthma is being “over-diagnosed” in people with very mild and temporary symptoms. Some people we talked to felt that the rise in the number of people with the condition has made it more visible, and that it is therefore better understood and accepted by others than it was in the past.

Asthma

In this section you can find out about the experience of having asthma by seeing and hearing people share their personal stories on film. About...

What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term condition that can cause wheezing, breathlessness and coughing. It often starts in childhood, but can happen for the first time at...