Understand your asthma. Breathe easier, every day.

Asthma is a long-term condition affecting the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs. In asthma these airways are extra sensitive and become inflamed when exposed to triggers.

Three things happen during an attack

• The muscles around the airways tighten.
• The airway lining swells and inflames.
• Sticky mucus builds up, narrowing the airway.

Together these cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and breathlessness. With the right treatment and an action plan, most people live full, active lives.

A trigger is anything that sets off symptoms. Triggers are personal, so the key is learning your own pattern.

Common triggers

• Allergens: dust mites, pollen, pet fur, mould.
• Irritants: smoke, pollution, fumes.
• Weather: cold air, sudden changes.
• Other: colds, exercise, stress.

How to find yours

Keep a diary for a few weeks noting when symptoms appear and what you were doing. Patterns emerge — use the Trigger Finder below to start.

Most treatment comes in two forms, and the difference is one of the most useful things to learn.

Reliever inhalers (usually blue)

Act fast to open airways during symptoms. Needing one 3+ times a week signals poor control.

Preventer inhalers (often brown)

Contain a low steroid dose that calms inflammation. Take daily even when well — that's what stops symptoms building.

The golden rule

Relievers treat symptoms; preventers stop them. Rinse your mouth after a steroid preventer.

Signs it's serious

• Reliever isn't helping or lasts under 4 hours.
• Too breathless to speak, eat or sleep.
• Breathing fast, can't catch breath.
• Blue lips or fingertips.

What to do

• Sit upright, stay calm.
• One reliever puff every 30–60s, up to 10 puffs.
• No improvement after 10 puffs — call emergency services.
• Repeat puffs while waiting for help.

Always call your local emergency number if breathing is severely difficult. It's never wrong to seek help.

Exercise

Don't avoid it — fitness helps your lungs. Warm up, and ask about using your reliever beforehand if exercise triggers symptoms.

At home

• Wash bedding hot weekly for dust mites.
• Keep the home smoke-free.
• Watch damp and mould.

Reviews matter

See your asthma nurse at least yearly. Bring inhalers so they check technique and update your action plan.

What to look for

• A cough that won't go, worse at night.
• Wheezing when breathing out.
• Breathless during play more than peers.

Helping them

Younger children use a spacer — far more effective. Make sure school has their action plan and a spare reliever.