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.
Advice + support
Advice + support
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.
Advice + Support
Know your rights - what to do if you have damp and mould in a rented home
Damp is a common issue, especially in old houses or those in need of repair. Damp and mould can be a problem if you have a lung condition so fixing damp issues is important. Here’s what you can do about damp and mould if you live in a rented home.
Your stories
Your stories
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.
Your stories
It feels like I’m drowning all the time: Lotus’s story
Lotus always had mild asthma until six years ago. Then her symptoms started getting progressively worse, until by 2023 she was so breathless that she couldn’t work full time anymore. She was diagnosed with a rare disease called Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and now uses oxygen to help her breathe.
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.
Research
Research
Research
Breakthroughs you should know about: Highlights from the European Respiratory Society Congress
The European Respiratory Society Congress is one of the biggest events in respiratory research. Three jam-packed days of science, innovation and breakthroughs. Here's what we got excited about at this year’s event.
Research
International Women’s Day: my career as a woman in research
On International Women’s Day, our Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Sam Walker, reflects on her career as a woman in research and the importance of researching how lung conditions affect women in different ways.
Research
Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Dr Sam Walker, Director of Research and Innovation at Asthma + Lung UK introduces some of the amazing women in respiratory research we’re funding.
Campaigning
Campaigning
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.
Campaigning
Maksim fights for his right to breathe clean air
Maksim has asthma and was only nine years old when he first started campaigning for every child’s right to breathe clean air. He first got involved when his mum Julia helped to launch a successful battle to prevent the local council from building a car park next to his primary school in Manchester City Centre. Maksim, now 14, has become one of Asthma + Lung UK’s most dedicated campaigners for clean air since then. Here he tells us about his journey to joining the fight for clean air.
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