Bytheway... Areyousure youactually haveasthma?

ASTHMA is a frightening condition which, if not managed, can be fatal. Every day, three people die from an asthma attack.

GPs have been under pressure for years to give patients with asthma symptoms the correct treatment.

Typically, this means two types of inhaled steroids: the ‘brown’ preventer type, such as beclomethasone, suppresses inflammation in the airways; and the ‘blue’ reliever beta stimulators, such as salbutamol, relaxes the muscle in the walls of the airways and eases symptoms.

Previously, there was a tendency to prescribe only reliever inhalers.

But we now know people with asthma have inflammation in the lining of the airways, which causes long-term damage to the lungs.

This is why both types of inhaler are vital — they work together.

The problem is that in many cases, the wrong people are getting this life-saving treatment.

In a recent study, Canadian researchers found up to a third of patients using these inhalers may not have asthma at all — or have gone into remission.

This shows the need for careful diagnosis and monitoring.

All GPs have access to spirometry, a simple test of lung function that involves the patient exhaling into a mouthpiece connected to a machine.

This measures the air you can breathe out in one second and the total volume you can exhale in one forced breath.

Only this can prove if it’s asthma and if inhalers are needed. This is reinforced by draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, due to be published later this year.

Doctors must also ensure that patients are taught to use inhalers properly (if not, the drug may not reach their lungs).

None of this can happen if GPs are so overwhelmed that the most precious resource — time with each patient — is limited.

If you are suspected of having asthma or have had it long term, make sure you take a spirometry test. There are no shortcuts.