Asthma is a long-term condition that makes it difficult to breathe. “Symptoms can be mild or severe, and most people have an individual list of what can trigger them,” says Dr Ann Nainan, family doctor and Healthily expert.
Asthma is a long-term condition that makes it difficult to breathe. “Symptoms can be mild or severe, and most people have an individual list of what can trigger them,” says Dr Ann Nainan, family doctor and Healthily expert.
“More adult women than adult men have asthma, and they can have to deal with more serious symptoms and risks. Hormonal changes are thought to play a part in this.”
The good news is, there are effective treatments – including inhalers and medications – that can cut your risk of getting symptoms and of having an ‘asthma attack’ (where your symptoms get worse very quickly).
So here’s your guide to understanding asthma symptoms and who gets them, as well as the different types of asthma and common triggers.
Asthma is a very common condition that affects about 25 million Americans – 20 million adults and 5 million children.
It’s caused by swelling (inflammation) in your airways – the passages between your mouth and nose and your lungs.
When your airways are inflamed, they’re narrower, which can make it harder to breathe.
The inflammation also makes your airways more sensitive, and they can react to ‘triggers’ – such as pollution, allergies, and even emotions – by narrowing even more.
When your airways are inflamed and narrowed, it causes symptoms such as:
It’s also common to feel tired – asthma can often be worse at night, so your sleep can be interrupted by coughing and wheezing.
“Asthma feels different depending on how severe your symptoms are,” says Dr Ann. “Some people don’t have symptoms all the time, but people with uncontrolled or severe asthma may do.
Words people use to describe what an asthma flare-up or attack feels like include:
“In most cases, you can relieve your symptoms in a few minutes by using your quick-relief inhaler,” says Dr Ann. “And prevent them from happening in the first place by using your preventer inhaler as prescribed.”
Watch this video to learn more about the early warning signs of an asthma attack.
“Yes, you can – but be reassured that the number of people who die from asthma attacks is a small percentage of the people with asthma,” says Dr Ann.
“And most asthma deaths are preventable. That means if you take your medicines as prescribed, use an asthma action plan and see your doctor for regular checks, your risks go right down. And knowing how to deal with an asthma attack, if you have one, is crucial – it’s a medical emergency.” (Read about
.)There are several things that can increase your risk of getting asthma, including:
Asthma can run in families, along with atopic conditions such as eczema, hay fever and certain food allergies. You’re more likely to get asthma if members of your close family have it, such as parents, brothers or sisters.
Experts say this is likely to be due to a mixture of your genes and your shared home environment – such as how clean your home is, ventilation, infections and the foods you eat.
But having a family allergy and asthma doesn’t mean your children will definitely get it. And lots of people get asthma when there’s no family history.
Some people are genetically more likely to get asthma (predisposed), then something in their environment triggers the symptoms.
“Women seem to have a much harder time than men when it comes to asthma,” says Dr Ann.
Research shows that adult women:
What’s more, women who get asthma for the first time after the
are more likely to have symptoms that are difficult to control, and to need specialist care. Women over 65 with asthma are also at risk of more life-threatening attacks.It’s thought that hormones are involved:
As well as hormonal triggers, other reasons women can have worse asthma experiences than men include:
This type of asthma is triggered by ‘allergens’ – such as pet dander, pollen and dust mites, mold, and cockroaches.
About 8 in 10 people who have allergic asthma have another atopic condition, such as eczema, hay fever, or food allergies.
Treatment will involve managing your allergies, as well as your asthma. Read advice from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) about
.For some people, seasonal changes in temperature and the weather can trigger asthma, including:
Asthma can be triggered by allergens related to your job – for example, if you handle flour in a bakery, or use latex gloves in healthcare. Other triggers include chemicals, fumes, paint and animal fur.
Your symptoms begin when you start the job and improve on days when you’re not at work.
Read more from Asthma & Lung UK about
.Also known as
, this affects up to 90% of people with asthma:Asthma can start in childhood or in later life. Some children find their asthma gets better or goes away completely as they get older.
Triggers for adult asthma starting include occupational hazards, smoking, obesity, hormones and stressful life events.
This type of asthma doesn’t appear to be triggered by any allergens. It’s poorly understood, and can be difficult to manage. It tends to develop later in life and can be quite severe.
About 4% of people have severe asthma, where their symptoms aren’t under control, despite taking
. In the past, this was sometimes called brittle asthma.If you have severe asthma, you may:
If you have severe asthma, you may also need to take
or other medication to dampen down the inflammation in your lungs.If you have
, or if you’ve been diagnosed and your symptoms get worse or you’re concerned, see your doctor.Your doctor will diagnose asthma based on your symptoms and your medical and family history.
As well as asking about your symptoms and how frequent they are, they’ll do a lung function test to see how well you breathe in and out.
They may also do
, or .Lung function tests are often done before and after breathing in a medicine called a bronchodilator, which opens up your airways. They include:
Read more about
from the AAFA.Been diagnosed and want to know more about managing your condition? Read
.Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.