What should you know about chronic asthma?

Asthma symptoms may be triggered by viral infections, exercise, smoke, air pollution, cold air, allergens, or workplace exposures. Some people mainly cough, while others notice wheeze, chest tightness, or shortness of breath at night or during activity. A cough can have causes other than asthma, and wheezing does not by itself confirm the diagnosis.

Assessment may include your symptom pattern, listening to your chest, checking inhaler technique, and breathing tests when appropriate. Allergic rhinitis and house dust mite allergy can coexist with asthma and may worsen airway symptoms.

Use preventer and reliever inhalers exactly as prescribed, and ask a clinician to watch your technique. Keep a written action plan that explains your usual symptoms, medicine changes, and when to get urgent help. Record triggers and night symptoms so treatment can be reviewed.

Avoid tobacco smoke and reduce known irritants where practical. Do not stop a preventer because you feel well without discussing it first; feeling well may mean the plan is controlling airway inflammation. A nebuliser treatment is not automatically better than an inhaler and should be used according to clinical advice.

Get emergency help if you are struggling to speak, breathing is rapidly worsening, lips look blue or grey, you feel faint or confused, or your reliever is not helping as directed. Sit upright, follow your action plan, and do not drive yourself if breathing is severely difficult.

Ask whether your symptoms and breathing tests support asthma, which inhaler is for prevention or quick relief, how to check technique, which triggers matter, and exactly when your action plan requires urgent care.