Asthma is a common condition that affects your breathing. It cannot currently be cured, but if it's well treated you should not have problems with symptoms.

Symptoms of asthma

The main symptoms of asthma are:

• wheezing
• coughing
• shortness of breath
• your chest feeling tight

Asthma symptoms can be mild or severe. They usually come and go. They may be worse at night and early in the morning.

An asthma attack is when you have severe symptoms and it's difficult to breathe, which can be life-threatening.

Symptoms can be triggered by different things including exercise, high levels of air pollution, cold air, or contact with something you're allergic to, such as pollen, dust, mould or animals.

Asthma usually starts in children, but it can happen at any age.

When to see a GP

• you or your child have asthma symptoms
• you or your child have asthma and treatments are not helping, you're needing to use your inhaler more often, or you need advice about using your inhaler
• you or your child have asthma and your symptoms are not improving or are stopping you doing your usual activities or waking you up at night

How to treat an asthma attack

If you're having an asthma attack, sit up straight, to help your breathing. Try to stay calm.

Use your asthma reliever inhaler if you have one:

• If you have a blue reliever inhaler, take 1 puff every 30 to 60 seconds until you feel better, up to a maximum of 10 puffs. Shake the inhaler between each puff and use a spacer with the inhaler if you have one.
• If you have an AIR or MART inhaler (used for both preventing and treating symptoms), take 1 puff every 1 to 3 minutes until you feel better, up to a maximum of 6 puffs.

If your personal asthma action plan has a different maximum dose for treating an asthma attack, follow the instructions in your plan.

Immediate action required:Call 999 if:

You or someone else is having an asthma attack and:

• start to feel worse at any time
• do not feel better after taking the maximum dose using an asthma reliever inhaler
• do not have an asthma inhaler

If symptoms are no better after 10 minutes and an ambulance has not arrived, use an asthma inhaler again if you have one, taking up to the same maximum dose.

Information:

Do not drive yourself to A&E.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

• you've had an asthma attack and have recovered

Even if you feel better, it's important to see a GP within 2 days to discuss your treatment and get advice to help prevent another asthma attack.