Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. Common signs and symptoms of asthma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness (a feeling of pressure in the chest)
- Coughing (persistent or recurring cough)
Such symptoms may be more linked to asthma if they:
- Happen often and keep coming back
- Are worse during the night and morning
- Occur in response to an asthma trigger like exercise or an allergy (such as to pollen or animals)
- Change with the seasons – for example, they are worse in the summer or winter
You should see your GP if you think you or your child may have asthma.
How to recognise an asthma attack/flare-up
If someone is having an asthma attack/flare-up, they will have one or a combination of any of the symptoms below:
- Cough
- Wheeze
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Too breathless to finish a sentence
- Too breathless to walk, sleep or eat
- Lips turning blue
If a person has an asthma attack/flare-up or you suspect they are having an attack/flare-up, this is an emergency, and you should take immediate action.
Follow the 5 Step Rule
- Stay calm. Sit up straight – do not lie down.
- Take slow, steady breaths.
- Take one puff of your reliever inhaler (usually blue) every minute (use a spacer if available).
People over 6 years can take up to 10 puffs in 10 minutes.
Children under 6 can take up to 6 puffs in 10 minutes. - Call 112 or 999 if your symptoms do not improve after 10 minutes.
- Repeat Step 3 if an ambulance has not arrived in 10 minutes.
If someone is having an asthma attack/flare-up, remember:
- Do not leave them on their own.
- Extra puffs of reliever inhaler (usually blue) are safe.
Read more about asthma attacks/flare-ups here.