Living Well with Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways. These are the small tubes, called bronchi, which carry air in and out of the lungs. If you have asthma, the bronchi will be inflamed and more sensitive than normal.

When you come into contact with something that irritates your lungs, known as a trigger, your airways become narrow, the muscles around them tighten and there is an increase in the production of sticky mucus (phlegm).

This leads to symptoms including:

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing and coughing
• A tight chest

Taking your medication

It is important to take your medication as prescribed, even if you start to feel better. Taking your preventer medication every day will help keep your asthma under control and can help prevent asthma attacks. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to check your inhaler technique, to make sure you’re taking your medicines properly. If you have any questions or concerns about medication you’re taking or side effects, talk to your doctor or nurse.

Regular reviews

Because asthma is a long-term condition, you’ll be in contact with your doctor or asthma nurse regularly. You should see them at least once a year, or more regularly if you have just been diagnosed or if you’ve been unwell with your asthma. A good relationship with your doctor/nurse means you can easily discuss your symptoms, or concerns. Keep up to date with your appointments.

Be careful what you breathe

To reduce symptoms of asthma and chances of a flare-up, there are certain things that should be avoided if possible, these include:

• Dusty places
• Fumes, like car exhausts
• Smoke
• Air freshener, sprays or plug-ins
• Strong-smelling cleaning products, unless there is plenty of ventilation
• Hairspray
• Perfume

Check your painkillers

If you have asthma and you take aspirin or other painkillers, there’s a very small chance that you’ll have a bad reaction to the medication. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, voltarol and naproxen have been shown to cause asthma attacks in about one in 10 adults with asthma.

Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise you about alternative painkillers. If you have taken NSAIDs since being diagnosed with asthma and have not had an adverse reaction, they are probably safe for you. However, it is important to remember that people with asthma sometimes find that their asthma triggers can change, so be mindful of worsening symptoms if you take these medicines. Remember that some cold and flu remedies may also contain NSAIDs. If this happens, stop taking the aspirin and seek advice from your doctor.

Try to avoid cigarette smoke

Cigarette smoke is particularly bad for people with asthma. It’s important to try to avoid smoky places, even second hand smoke can cause asthma symptoms.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things that you can do for your health. Research has shown you are up to three times more likely to quit smoking if you use the support of your local Stop Smoking Service in addition to products such as patches or gum.

Living Well Stop Smoking Service
This local service can support you with free confidential support to keep you motivated to quit. When you use the service, you will get one-to-one support from a friendly trained advisor who will create a 12 week personal quit plan designed with you, to work for you. Click the link or call: 01274 437700.

NHS smoke free website
Get advice and encouragement to help you quit smoking or call the NHS Smoking Helpline Call 0300 123 1044.

Eating Well

A healthy balanced diet is important for good health. It should include high fibre foods like wholegrains, oats, beans, lentils, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, which are good for keeping your heart healthy and controlling blood pressure.

Beans, lentils, and nuts are good sources of protein, and oily fish like salmon, mackerel, pilchards, or tuna, can also help to protect against heart disease. Oily fish, as well as nuts, olive oil, and avocados contain good fats that are good for heart health, while high fat foods such as fatty meats, pies, sausages, and ghee, should be limited.

Staying active

Although exercise can be a trigger for some people, it’s important to do as much as you can. Exercise can help your asthma, by improving your lung function and stamina. If exercise triggers your asthma it might help to take your reliever inhaler 20 mins beforehand.

Walking, swimming and cycling are all activities you can do, although chlorine can be a trigger for some people. Interval based exercise rather than continuous is more manageable for some people, eg running/walking/ports where you can rest.

If exercise gives you asthma symptoms, discuss it with your doctor, as it means your asthma is not as well controlled as it could be. You may need more preventative treatments.

If you need support to get back into exercise, you may find a referral to BEEP useful.

Benefits of walking
Information and guided and self guided walks in Bradford district.

Bradford walks
Find a list of Bradford walks and maps you can download and print.

Asthma attacks

Asthma attacks don’t usually come out of the blue, but are the result of gradually worsening symptoms. If your asthma symptoms are getting worse, don’t ignore them.

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are in taking your medicines and avoiding triggers, you may have an attack.

Click here for NHS information on asthma attacks

Is it an asthma atttack?

You can tell you’re having an asthma attack if:

• Your reliever inhaler isn’t helping
• You have to keep using your reliever inhaler as the effect wears off quickly
• Your symptoms are getting worse
• You’re too breathless to speak, eat or sleep

Often, using your reliever inhaler will be enough to relieve your symptoms when you start having an attack.

Sometimes, symptoms are more severe and urgent action is needed.

If you do not have your reliever inhaler, and you’re struggling to breathe, call 999 straight away.

Do not wait to see if you get better on your own. An asthma attack makes it hard to breathe, which is a medical emergency. You must get the reliever treatment you need quickly.

• Sit up and try to stay calm.
• Call 999 for an ambulance.
• Tell the call handler that you do not have a reliever inhaler with you.

If your symptoms improve and you do not need to call 999, you still need to see a doctor or asthma nurse within 24 hours.

What to do after having an asthma attack

Call your GP surgery and tell them you need an appointment after having an asthma attack. Even if you’re feeling better, you still need an appointment. Your GP/nurse can help you lower the risk of another attack.

If you managed your attack yourself using your reliever inhaler, ask for an urgent, same-day appointment with your GP/nurse. If you were treated in hospital, or by ambulance paramedics you need a follow-up appointment no later than two working days after treatment for your attack.

It can sometimes be hard to get a GP appointment. Tell the receptionist that asthma guidelines recommend an urgent appointment to lower your risk of another attack.