Asthma + Lung UK blog
Welcome to our blog. Together we can help create a world where everyone has healthy lungs. Read on for advice + information, personal stories, campaigning + research news.
Your stories
Your stories
Your stories
I ran the London Marathon for my husband who struggles to breathe
Our supporter Laurey ran the London Marathon last year to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK. Here she tells us why she chose to support us.
Your stories
When I’m hospitalised, staff assume it’s because of anxiety
Beki is a PhD student from the West Midlands. She has several health conditions including severe asthma and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). EDS is a rare inherited condition that affects connective tissue. Last May, Beki set herself a fundraising challenge to complete 180,000 steps to raise money to mark World Asthma Day and EDS Awareness Month.
Your stories
The nurse on the helpline reassured me at a critical time in my life
Bethany is one of our volunteer ambassadors. She was motivated to join us after she found out she had congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) and found the help and advice she got from our health advice and specialist nurses really helpful. Last year, after her health deteriorated, she found herself turning again to our nurses for support. Here she tells us all about it.
Advice + support
Advice + support
Advice + Support
Hot off the Helpline: April edition
Welcome to the Asthma + Lung UK Helpline Blog where we’ll cover hot topics on the helpline. We’ll also share ways to help manage your lung health and important dates for your diary. And you’ll meet our amazing team.
Advice + Support
How to protect your baby from whooping cough
You may have heard that cases of whooping cough have been rising in the England recently. Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but it can be very serious for young babies. Here I explain what whooping cough is, why very small babies are most at risk, and how getting vaccinated in pregnancy is the best way to protect your child.
Advice + Support
How to enjoy music festivals with asthma
If you're heading off to a festival this summer don't forget to pack your asthma inhalers as well as your wellies! You can’t always avoid asthma triggers like cigarette smoke and changing weather at festivals, but your asthma doesn’t have to stop you from having fun.
Research
Research
Research
How sound waves are helping more people to find answers
At the Royal Brompton and Harefield Trust, consultant chest physician Dr William Man and his team have taken a difficult lung test and made it as simple as breathing in and out. He’s discovered a ground-breaking new way of using sound waves to measure how well the lungs are working in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
Research
Unlocking the secrets of asthma: how we discovered the first genetic link
Today it’s a well-established fact that lung conditions can be influenced by our genes. But this wasn’t always the case. Pioneering research funded by Asthma UK, one of the founding organisations of Asthma + Lung UK, discovered the first genetic link to asthma. Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Innovation, tells us all about this ground-breaking research and the importance of its legacy today.
Research
Can diabetes drugs be used to stop COPD and lung scarring becoming worse?
People with lung conditions, like COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), often experience flare-ups (also known as exacerbations). This is where their breathing and other symptoms suddenly get worse over a short period of time, often leaving them unable to breathe.
Campaigning
Campaigning
Campaigning
Clean air, nature preservation and cross-party support in Northern Ireland
Andrew Wilson, Policy + Public Affairs Officer for Northern Ireland, writes about our ongoing collaboration with RSPB NI and Mark Durkan MLA on clean air and nature preservation.
Campaigning
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill - what does it mean for lung health?
The government has just passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill after its third reading. What does that mean and how will this impact people with lung conditions? Laura, from our policy team, explains more.
Campaigning
How you can help save the NHS by taking part in their consultation
The government and the NHS are working together to save the NHS. They have launched a consultation to find out what people think about the NHS and what needs to change. Read on to find out how you can take part and why it’s so important for the future of the NHS.
Join the fight!
Stay informed about the work we do, the latest advice, support, research and campaigning news, as well as ways you can support our work by signing up to our regular newsletter.