What should you know about mild persistent asthma?

Mild persistent asthma means airway inflammation causes recurring symptoms, even when breathing feels normal between episodes. Symptoms may include wheezing, cough, chest tightness or shortness of breath, often after exercise, at night, or around triggers.

Asthma narrows the airways through muscle tightening, swelling and extra mucus. A mild label describes the symptom pattern and impact at assessment; it does not mean symptoms should be ignored. Allergic rhinitis, house dust mite allergy, smoke, strong scents, cold air and respiratory infections may aggravate symptoms. A clinician may use your history, examination and breathing tests to assess control.

Use prescribed inhalers exactly as taught and keep a written action plan if your clinician provides one. Check your inhaler technique during reviews, because poor technique can leave medicine in the mouth instead of the lungs. Notice patterns in cough or wheeze and reduce avoidable triggers such as tobacco smoke. Do not change or stop regular treatment without medical advice; ask whether you need a reliever, a preventer, or both.

Arrange a review if symptoms are becoming more frequent, waking you, limiting activity, or needing your reliever more often than your plan allows. Seek emergency help if breathing is rapidly worsening, you cannot speak comfortably, your lips look blue or grey, you feel confused, or your reliever is not helping. Sit upright and follow your action plan while help is arranged.

Ask what your personal triggers are, how to recognise loss of control, when to step treatment up or down, and how often your inhaler technique and breathing should be reviewed.