What should you know about asthma?

The airways can become swollen, tighten around surrounding muscle, and produce extra mucus. Symptoms may come and go, with triggers such as exercise, cold air, smoke, infections, pollen, or house dust. Common symptoms include wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath; symptoms may be worse at night or early in the morning. Allergic rhinitis can occur alongside asthma, and a persistent cough may need a separate assessment rather than being assumed to be asthma.

Arrange a clinical assessment if symptoms are recurring or affecting sleep, activity, or work. A clinician may ask about triggers, listen to your chest, and check breathing with lung-function tests. If asthma is diagnosed, use prescribed inhalers exactly as taught and keep a written action plan if one is provided. Reduce smoke exposure, notice personal triggers, and check inhaler technique at reviews. A nebuliser may be used in some acute settings, but it is not a substitute for an agreed plan.

Seek emergency help if breathing is rapidly worsening, you cannot speak comfortably because of breathlessness, your lips look blue or grey, you become drowsy or confused, or your reliever treatment is not helping. Sit upright, follow your asthma action plan, and use prescribed reliever medicine while arranging urgent help. A first episode of significant wheezing or breathlessness also deserves prompt medical review.

Ask which symptoms should trigger a review, how to use each inhaler, whether you need breathing tests, and how to handle exercise, travel, infections, or exposure to dust and smoke.