What should you know about GINA asthma 2022?

Asthma involves variable narrowing and inflammation of the airways. Symptoms may include wheezing, cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath, often changing over time or with triggers. GINA-based care separates immediate relief from medicines that reduce airway inflammation, while recognising that the right plan varies with age, symptoms, examination findings and previous flare-ups.

Allergic Rhinitis and House Dust Mite Allergy can add to airway symptoms in some people. A cough that persists may have several causes, so it should not automatically be labelled asthma without assessment.

Book a review if symptoms are recurring, waking you, limiting activity or needing reliever medicine more often. Ask the clinician to watch your inhaler technique and check whether your device suits you. Record triggers, night symptoms and missed doses. Reduce exposure to smoke and known irritants, and follow the written action plan for changes in breathing.

Keep prescribed inhalers available and check their expiry and remaining doses. A Nebuliser Treatment may be used in an acute setting when clinically appropriate; it is not a substitute for a personalised everyday plan.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness, difficulty speaking in full sentences, blue or grey lips, confusion, collapse or rapidly worsening symptoms. Seek urgent assessment when the reliever is not helping as your plan says, or when breathing remains difficult at rest. Sit upright, use the prescribed reliever according to your action plan and do not drive yourself if severely unwell.

Which inhaler is my controller and which is my reliever? Can you check my technique? What are my personal warning signs? When should I start the action plan or seek emergency help? Could nasal allergy, reflux or another cause be affecting my cough?