What is asthma?
What is asthma?
Asthma affects the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs.
This is what the inside of a healthy airway looks like. The muscles are relaxed and the airway is open so it’s easy to breathe. If you have asthma, your airways are more sensitive.
When you come into contact with one of your asthma triggers, your airways get narrow and tight. The inside of your airways gets swollen and inflamed. If your airways are already inflamed, the inflammation will be worse. Some people also get sticky mucus or phlegm which makes the airways even more narrow.
These changes in the airways make it much harder to breathe. You might get asthma symptoms like chest tightness, wheezing, coughing or feeling breathless. Use your reliever inhaler when you feel symptoms coming on. It opens the airways, making it easier to breathe.
Remember though that your reliever inhaler, which is usually blue, cannot treat the inflammation in your airways, so it's very important to use your preventer inhaler.
If you take your preventer inhaler everyday, as prescribed, it keeps down the inflammation in your airways so they're less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers.
If have any questions about lowering your risk of symptoms, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. You can also call our helpline.
Asthma is a long-term lung condition. It affects the airways (breathing tubes) that carry air in and out of your lungs. causing them to become swollen (inflamed). This makes the airways narrower so less air gets into and out of the lungs.
Asthma is a common condition. In the UK, 5.4 million people have asthma. This is about 8 in every 100 people.
People with asthma can get symptoms like wheezing, breathlessness, a cough or a tight chest. Sometimes symptoms can get worse quickly. This is an asthma attack.
Symptoms can be triggered by things like exercise, allergens or changes in weather. There are lots of potential triggers and everyone with asthma will have their own set of triggers.
At the moment there is no cure for asthma, but most people with asthma can control their symptoms well with asthma inhalers and other medicines. Some people with asthma may not have symptoms for weeks or months at a time.
How serious is asthma?
Most people can keep their asthma under control when they take their medicines as prescribed.
When asthma is not well controlled, or for people with severe asthma, asthma attacks happen more often and are more severe. Asthma attacks are serious and can be life-threatening.
We have information on how to spot the signs your asthma is getting worse and what to do, and emergency advice on what to do in an asthma attack.
Sadly, four people die every day in the UK because of asthma attacks. 2 out of 3 asthma deaths are preventable.
The best way to lower your risk of an asthma attack is to take your asthma medicines as prescribed, even if you feel well. Using an asthma action plan helps you look after your asthma, so you’re less likely to have an asthma attack.
Does asthma get worse over time?
Asthma can get worse over time if it is poorly controlled.
The best way to lower the risk of your asthma getting worse is to take your asthma medicines as prescribed, even if you feel well.
Can asthma go away on its own?
For most people, asthma is a lifelong condition. However, with daily treatment, most people with asthma can keep their symptoms under control.
Some children find their symptoms go away by the time they are in their mid-teens. However, asthma symptoms can return later in life. They might be set off by an illness, stress, a substance in the workplace, pollution, or hormonal changes like menopause.
Asthma and your emotions
We know that having a long-term condition like asthma can be difficult. You might feel worried about managing your asthma or fed up with people not taking it seriously. You might feel frustrated or depressed if your symptoms get in the way of things you want to do. We’re here to help.
Read our advice on looking after your mental health and well-being when you have a lung condition. You can also call our Helpline for support on 0300 222 5800.
What causes asthma?
We do not fully understand what causes asthma. Asthma often starts in childhood, but adults can develop asthma too.
Cause or trigger?
What causes asthma is different to what triggers asthma:
- Causes are the underlying reasons why someone gets asthma in the first place.
- Triggers are things like dust mites or pollen that can make asthma symptoms worse.
We have more information about asthma triggers.
Some things increase your chances of developing asthma, including:
Allergies
Children with an allergy or allergy-related condition like eczema or hay fever are more likely to develop asthma. Children with a food allergy are four times more likely to have asthma than children without a food allergy.
If your child has symptoms like wheezing or coughing and they also have an allergy or allergy-related condition, it’s more likely that their symptoms are due to asthma.
Family history
A family history of asthma or allergy-related conditions like eczema and hay fever increases your risk of developing asthma.
Childhood illness
Children who have bronchiolitis or croup are more likely to develop asthma.
Second-hand smoke
Children who are exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to develop asthma. Children whose mothers smoke during pregnancy are also at a higher risk.
Smoking also increases your risk of getting asthma as an adult. We have support to help you quit smoking.
Premature birth and low birth weight
Children born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or who have a low birth weight are more likely to develop asthma.
Substances at work
Asthma can be caused by breathing in certain substances in the workplace, like flour dust or chemical fumes. This is called occupational asthma.
Female sex hormones
People with female sex hormones are more likely to have asthma, and their asthma is more likely to be severe. We have more information on female sex hormones and asthma.
Air pollution
Children who are exposed to air pollution are more likely to develop asthma than children who live in places with better air quality. Air pollution can also be an asthma trigger.
Obesity
Being obese puts you at a higher risk of developing asthma and having more severe asthma. Obese people with asthma have worse asthma control. We have support to help you eat healthily and stay a healthy weight.
Vitamin D
Studies have found that people with asthma are more likely to have low levels of vitamin D. But there is not good enough evidence to suggest that taking vitamin D supplements reduces your risk of asthma symptoms.
Get support
Call our Helpline for support with your condition. Get advice on your medicines, symptoms or travelling with a lung condition, or just call us to say hello.