Breathe easier by drawing up an asthma plan

Local GP, Dr Zahid Chauhan.

Close-on five and half million people in the UK have asthma says local GP, Dr Zahid Chauhan.

And according to Asthma UK, two thirds of deaths from the condition last year (which was a ten year high for asthma mortality) were preventable.

Let me get something off my chest.

I believe that asthma is one of the most misunderstood and underrated health problems and in Greater Manchester GPs are seeing increasing numbers of children and adults afflicted with the illness.

Asthma is a lung condition which causes inflammation of the breathing tubes, narrowing them and blocking the passage of air.

This causes characteristic problems such as wheezing, coughing and tightness of the chest. When not managed properly, this can manifest itself into an asthma attack, which, if you have ever seen or indeed had one, you will know is a frightening experience which resembles choking.

We have many ideas about what might cause asthma, with genetics and environment chief amongst these. Everything from animal fur to dust mites can trigger symptoms and while cold air can be a problem in winter, allergies resembling hay fever in spring and summer can also cause exacerbate asthma. Recent research has shown that those who are stressed and children exposed to air pollution can become asthmatic.

Apart from fear of the deeply unpleasant asthma attack, sufferers can be more susceptible to chest infections, including pneumonia. That is why we urge all those with asthma to seek a yearly flu jab.

We all hope a cure can be found for asthma (especially when it is chronic) and research continues apace into solutions such as the insertion of a tube through the mouth to warm up the lungs and burn away tissue in blocked airways.

Homeopathic remedies are also being investigated – but until such time as they are clinically proven to work, the message has to be, see your GP.

Asthma affects all kinds of people.

Which is why we must draw up personal actions plans to manage it.

There are a number of different inhalers available and you have probably seen people use blue, brown, plum and even pink versions to both prevent asthma and relieve symptoms before or during an attack.

One of the other effective treatments is to know your triggers and try and avoid them. If your child’s asthma is caused by breathing in your secondary smoke, then you need to keep cigarettes away from them (and yourself for that matter).

There is a myth that asthma means you cannot exercise. David Beckham is just one individual who has proved that wrong.

The type of personal action plan your doctor creates could include instructions on how to manage asthma and enjoy sport.

It also recommends regular reviews of your condition and encourages you to measure how hard you can blow – with a peak flow monitor (if it goes into the red, it is time to see the GP).

The plan will most likely encompass advice on what to do if you have an asthma attack and this should be shared with your friends and family.

This will involve calming down, using your reliever inhaler every 30-60 seconds and monitoring the attack.

If you are really worried about your condition, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

That last scenario is one that could be avoided if people manage their asthma correctly.

Too many patients are being lost to this condition and it takes my breath away to think how many of these deaths are avoidable.

So, let’s act on asthma, now.

Learn more about Asthma UK by visiting:

www.asthma.org.uk