Asthma
It's important to take any prescribed medication regularly, as this can help keep your symptoms under control and prevent severe asthma attacks.
It's also important to use any inhalers and spacers you may have been prescribed properly. Make sure your GP or practice nurse shows you how to use your inhalers correctly.
Check with your doctor or asthma nurse if you plan to take any over-the-counter remedies, such as painkillers or nutritional supplements. These can sometimes interfere with your medication.
Some common medicines, such as Low dose aspirin and ibuprofen , may not be suitable if you have asthma. Always check the label or packet and ask a pharmacist, doctor or nurse if you're not sure.
Speak to your doctor or asthma nurse if you have any concerns about the medication you're taking, or if you're experiencing any side effects.
If you have asthma and you smoke, stopping smoking can significantly reduce how severe and frequent your symptoms are.
If you think you need help to stop smoking, you can contact NHS Smokefree for free advice and support. You may also want totalk to your GP about the stop smoking medications available.
Readmore about stop smoking support or find a stop smoking service near you .
Exercising regularly is as important for people with asthma as everyone else. Aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week, such as fast walking or cycling.
Although exercise can sometimes trigger your symptoms, this shouldn't happen once you're on appropriate treatment.
If you or your child has symptoms during or after exercise, speak to your doctor or asthma nurse. They may consider updating your personal asthma plan to help you keep your symptoms under control.
You may also be advised to:
If you have symptoms while you're exercising, stop what you're doing, take your reliever inhaler and wait until you feel better before starting again.
Read about health and fitness for more information on simple ways to exercise.
Most people with asthma can eat a normal, healthy diet.
Along with regular exercise, this can help you maintain a healthy weight, whichmay helpkeep your asthma symptoms under control, as well as reduce your risk of other health problems.
Some people may have food allergies that trigger their symptoms and will need to avoid these foods, but this is uncommon.
But it may be possible to avoid other triggers, such as dust mites, fungal spores, pet fur and certain medications. See allergy prevention for more information.
Speak to your doctor or asthma nurse for advice if you think you have identified a trigger for your symptoms.
Certain infections can trigger your symptoms if you have asthma.
Everyone with asthma is encouraged to have the annual flu jab and the one-off pneumococcal vaccination .
You can get these vaccinations at your GP surgery or a local pharmacy that offers a vaccination service.
Asthma symptoms are often worse at night. You might wake up some nights coughing or with a tight chest.
If your child has asthma, poor sleep can affect their behaviour and concentration, as well as their ability to learn.
Effectively controlling asthma with the treatment your doctor or nurse recommends should help. But speak to them if you're having trouble getting to sleep.
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You'll have regular contact with your care team to monitor your condition.
These appointments may involve:
It's also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have or raise any other issues you'd like to discuss with your doctor or asthma nurse.
You may be asked to help monitor your condition between appointments. For example, you may be advised to check your peak flow reading if you think your symptoms may be getting worse.
Your personal action plan should say what to do if your symptoms get gradually or suddenly worse. Contact your doctor or asthma nurse if you're not sure what to do.
Cold weather is a common trigger for asthma symptoms.
Asthma UK advises the following measures to help you keep your symptoms controlled in the cold:
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Asthma shouldn't stop you from travelling, but you will need to take extra precautions when going on holidays and long trips.
You'll need to make sure you have enough of your medication with you and keep your reliever inhaler where you can get to it easily.
If you've not seen your doctor or asthma nurse for a while, it's a good idea to see them before you travel to review your personal action plan and make sure it's up-to-date.
Your doctor or asthma nurse can also advise you about travelling with asthma.
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Asthma doesn't affect your chances of having children and the vast majority of women with asthma will have a normal pregnancy.
Generally speaking, the treatment for pregnant women with asthma is the same as normal.
Most asthma medicines particularly inhalers are considered safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.
But speak to your doctor or asthma nurse for advice if you become pregnant or are planning a pregnancy because:
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Most children with well-controlled asthma can learn and participate in school activities completely unaffected by their condition.
But it's important to ensure the school has up-to-date written information about your child's asthma medicines, how much they take, and when they need to take them.
You may also need to supply the school with a spare reliever inhaler for your child to use if they experience symptoms during the school day.
Staff at the school should be able to recognise worsening asthma symptoms and know what to do in the event of an attack, particularly staff supervising sport or physical education.
Your child's school may have an asthma policy in place, which you can ask to see.
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Many people with long-term health conditions such as asthma experience feelings of stress, anxiety and depression .
You may find it helpful to talk about your experience of asthma with others in a similar position. Patient organisations have local groups where you can meet others who have been diagnosed with asthma and have undergone treatment.
If you feel you're struggling to cope, talk to your GP. They will be able to give advice and support. Alternatively, you can find depression support services in your area .
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Most adults with asthma will need to pay a prescription charge for all of their medicines.
If you need to take a lot of medication, paying for each item individually could get quite expensive. You may find it cheaper to get a prescription prepayment certificate .
This is effectively a prescription "season ticket" where you pay a one-offcharge for all your prescriptions over a three or 12 month period.
You won't need to pay for your medicines if you don't normally pay prescription charges. For example, all children under 16 are entitled to free prescriptions.
This is a weekly amount paid to people with asthma caused by exposure to a specific substance through their work and is known to be associated with asthma (a list of asthma-causing substances is available from the Health and Safety Executive).
If you want to take legal action against your employer because of occupational asthma, your lawyer must act within three years of diagnosis.
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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.
Most children and adults with asthma find they have times when their breathing becomes more difficult. Asthma symptoms can sometimes get worse for a short time known as an asthma attack.
Factors such as a genes, air pollution, chlorine in swimming pools and modern hygiene standards have been suggested as possible causes, but there's not currently enough evidence to be certain whether any of these do cause asthma.
There's no single test for asthma, but it can usually be diagnosed from your symptoms and some simple breathing tests. Your GP will often be able to diagnose asthma.
Everyone with asthma should be able to lead a full and unrestricted life. The treatments available for asthma are effective for most people.
It's important to take any prescribed medication regularly, as this can help keep your symptoms under control and prevent severe asthma attacks.
Olwen Fish, from Waterhead, Oldham, has had asthma since 1950. She feels lucky to have survived to see the huge increase in effective medication and now lives life to the full.
Mother of three Rosemary Matthews first experienced asthma in her teenage years. "My asthma is under control now. I self-manage it, but I have had to make lifestyle changes in recent years." she says.
Shamim Arshad, who found that walking regularly helped her control her asthma. "My confidence has increased and I've reduced the number of inhalers I need from four to one." she says