Asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed. This makes it harder to breathe and can lead to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness.
Start Your Assessment for Asthma
Don't wait any longer to get the medical help you need. Once you complete a short online assessment about your condition, you will be able to select your preferred treatment and quantity from a list of appropriate options for you.
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- Takes less than 4 minutes to complete
- Approved treatments dispatched same day
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Treatments
- Allergies to pollen, dust mites, animal fur, or mould
- Respiratory infections such as colds or flu
- Smoke, air pollution, or chemical fumes
- Exercise, particularly in cold or dry air
- Sudden changes in weather or temperature
- Stress or strong emotions
- Certain medicines, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or beta-blockers
- Reliever inhalers (short-acting bronchodilators): Provide quick relief by relaxing the airway muscles.
- Preventer inhalers (inhaled corticosteroids): Used daily to reduce inflammation and help prevent attacks.
- Combination inhalers: Contain both a preventer and a long-acting reliever for better control.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing
- Persistent coughing, especially at night or early in the morning
- Tightness or pressure in the chest
- Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
- Use preventer inhalers regularly as prescribed, even when feeling well
- Keep a reliever inhaler available at all times for sudden symptoms
- Identify and avoid known triggers whenever possible
- Monitor symptoms and peak flow readings to track control
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with balanced diet and regular exercise
- Stop smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
- Keep vaccinations up to date, particularly for flu and pneumonia
- Follow a written asthma action plan if provided by a healthcare professional
Asthma Guides
Discover trusted medical guidance on asthma management, carefully written and reviewed by our healthcare experts.
Written by our Clinical Team
Written by our Clinical Team
Written by our Clinical Team
FAQ’s
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed. This makes it harder to breathe and can lead to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness.
Asthma can be triggered by many factors, including allergies (pollen, dust, pets), cold air, exercise, smoke, pollution, stress, or respiratory infections such as colds and flu.
- Reliever inhalers (such as Ventolin/salbutamol) work quickly to relax the muscles in the airways, making breathing easier during an asthma attack or sudden symptoms.
- Preventer inhalers (usually containing steroids) are used daily to reduce inflammation in the airways and prevent symptoms from developing in the first place.
Your asthma is usually well controlled if you have:
- No daytime symptoms
- No night symptoms
- No need for rescue (reliever) medication
- No asthma exacerbations
However, in practice, “good control” often allows for occasional mild symptoms (rather than a rigid “none at all”) and must be balanced with risk of worsening or exacerbations.
It is important to follow the instructions provided and use the correct technique. A healthcare professional can demonstrate how to use your inhaler or check your technique during reviews. Incorrect use may reduce the effectiveness of the medication.
Seek urgent help if:
- Your reliever inhaler does not improve symptoms within 1 hour
- You need your reliever inhaler more than 8 times in 24 hours
- You experience sudden breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, or difficulty speaking in full sentences
Asthma may improve over time, particularly in children, but it often persists into adulthood. Even if symptoms are mild or absent, it is important to continue following medical advice and using prescribed treatments.
Yes. Regular exercise is beneficial for overall health and can help improve lung function. However, some people may experience exercise-induced symptoms. Using your reliever inhaler before exercise (if advised by your doctor) can help prevent these symptoms.
Yes, asthma may change during pregnancy. It is important to continue managing your asthma, as uncontrolled asthma can affect both mother and baby. Always discuss your treatment plan with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy.
Asthma should be reviewed by a healthcare professional at least once a year, or sooner if you are using your reliever inhaler more frequently, have worsening symptoms, or have had an asthma attack.
