Condition

Asthma

Asthma is an inflammation of your airways. The tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs become overly sensitive and narrow or tighten causing wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and a feeling of fullness or tightness in your chest.

Often asthma is triggered by something that irritates your airways. Triggers can include:

  • Tobacco smoke
  • House dust
  • Strong chemicals
  • Animal fur
  • Cold air
  • Exercise
  • Chest infections
  • Stress
  • An allergic reaction

Sometimes severe asthma symptoms (called asthma attacks) require hospital treatment.

It is important to manage your asthma symptoms and to avoid what triggers them. Your consultant may prescribe medication or an inhaler to help you self treat your asthma. You may also be given an action plan to include information about your medication and what triggers you should avoid.

Related tests and scans

Related treatments and procedures

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