Help is at hand to manage asthma
THIS month includes asthma awareness week, and so we wanted to tell you a bit more about the condition and how your community pharmacy team and other healthcare professionals can help you to live with asthma.
Dr Tania Cork, chief operating officer of Community Pharmacy Derbyshire, discusses asthma
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes breathing difficulties and, according to
Asthma + Lung UK, currently 5.4 million people in the UK have it. NHS England data shows that a million children in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma.
Asthma affects people of all ages, often starting in childhood, however you can develop it as an adult. There is no cure, but there are treatments that keep symptoms under control and reduce the
impact on your life.
How do I know if I have asthma?
The main symptoms of asthma are wheezing, breathlessness, a tight chest and coughing, although there are other conditions that can also cause these symptoms. It is most likely to be asthma if these symptoms happen often, keep coming back, are worse at night and early morning and happen in response to a trigger.
If you think you or your child may have asthma you need to see your GP. They will carry out some simple tests to find out. The usual treatment is an inhaler.
What is an asthma attack?
Sometimes these symptoms get worse and this is called an asthma attack. Signs of an asthma attack include constant wheezing, coughing and chest tightening. You can also experience faster breathing and heart rate, blue lips or fingers or fainting.
If you, your child or someone you are with is having an asthma attack the first thing the person needs to do is sit up and try and keep calm. Using the reliever inhaler, take one puff every 30-60 seconds up to 10 times. If this does not help call 999.
You can repeat the ten puffs while you are waiting for an ambulance to arrive. If symptoms are not better after this and the ambulance has still not arrived, call 999 again immediately.
If your symptoms do improve and you do not need to call 999 get an urgent sameday appointment to see your GP or nurse.
Can asthma go away?
Asthma is a long-term health condition for many people, particularly if it develops when you are an adult. In children, it sometimes goes away or improves during the teenage years but can come back in later life.
For most people, the symptoms are controlled with treatment and they can live normal, active lives. As well as using your inhaler correctly there are other ways to help you live with asthma. These include not smoking, exercising regularly, eating healthily and getting vaccinated against flu and pneumonia when its offered.
Can cold weather make it worse?
Cold weather is a common trigger for asthma so make sure you always carry your reliever inhaler as temperatures drop. If you find you are using it more often, speak to your nurse or GP. Keep warm and dry and wrap a scarf around your mouth to warm up air before you breathe it in.
How can your GP practice or community pharmacy team help?
If you or your child has asthma there are three ways your asthma nurse, GP or community pharmacist can help:
1. Agree a written asthma action plan with you and make sure you understand it. This can reduce the chances of a trip to hospital and help you or your child manage the symptoms.
2. Make sure you or your child use the inhalers effectively. If you are unsure, speak to your asthma nurse, GP or community pharmacy team.
3. Attend a yearly asthma review – and also after every attack – to ensure effective management of the condition.
Identifying your asthma triggers can also help keep symptoms under control.