Be Alert To Asthma
Our health writer, Colleen Shannon, finds out how to stay in control of your condition.
UNLESS you’ve recently experienced a scary attack, it’s easy to get a bit complacent about having asthma. Life is busy and it’s not surprising that after a while, people forget to take their medication or put off routine appointments.
Because asthma is very common, with one in twelve adults having the condition, it can also seem like a minor problem.
But a more sobering statistic shows this is something to take seriously. Sadly, on an average day three people will die from asthma.
Generally, though, asthma is a condition most people can control well with some help from their practice nurse, GP and pharmacist.
For a refresher on asthma management, I asked Sonia Munde, Head of Helpline and Nurse Manager at Asthma UK.
She explained that your asthma may change over time, even if it has been pretty stable and consistent in the past. You might have fewer symptoms, or more.
Things that didn’t bother you in the past, such as dust mites or cold weather, might start to trigger an attack.
Your body’s response to medications can change, too. Are your medicines working as well as they used to? Are you noticing possible new side effects?
If you spot any of these changes, keep a symptoms diary and take it to an appointment with your GP or asthma nurse. They can recommend small changes to help you stay well.
Taking your medicines as prescribed, going for your annual asthma review and getting your inhaler technique checked regularly are key steps to follow.
Keep a lookout for signs that your asthma is getting worse, such as needing your reliever inhaler more often, or noticing a drop in your peak flow readings.
Wheezing, or waking in the night because of asthma, are other warnings. If you are short of breath or have a tight chest, find it more difficult to walk without getting breathless, or feel that you just can’t keep up as usual, it’s time to get checked out.
The advice from Asthma UK is to make an urgent appointment to see your GP or asthma nurse within 24 hours, follow your written asthma action plan, and try to avoid your triggers.
Many people have additional medical conditions and this can make it trickier to manage your asthma. You might forget to think about it if you need to go to extra appointments and take medications for another condition, or you might have questions about managing all your treatments at the same time.
It might be daunting to sort it out, but try not to put it off.
Asthma is a life-long condition and it takes time every day to keep on top of it. But it’s worth the effort because, for most people, well-managed asthma should not get in the way of the life you want.
You can find a wealth of information, and take an online risk check, on the Asthma UK website at www.asthma.org.uk. Call them on 0300 222 5800 to request information by post, or to speak to their asthma nurse specialists. n