What is asthma?
- Asthma is a common problem affecting one in eleven children in the UK
- Asthma affects the airways and lungs. The tubes in the lungs (airways) become inflamed (swollen) and blocked, making it harder for the air to move in and out
- Asthma causes difficulty breathing and cough which is often worse at night and in the early morning. Many people with asthma feel chest tightness and pain when their asthma is bad.
Why do the airways narrow?
- The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and swollen
- The muscles in the airway wall tighten
- Sticky mucus (phlegm) clogs the airways
Watch the Moving On Asthma video to learn about young people living with asthma. This video is designed to help develop essential self-management skills and provides information on how to access healthcare independently.
What can trigger asthma?
Asthma can be triggered by lots of different things. Some common triggers include:
- Viral infections, e.g. common coughs and colds
- Irritants such as tobacco smoke (either you smoking, or somebody else smoking around you), vaping and pollution
- Allergies such as to dust, pets and pollen
- Exercise
- Emotion, e.g. excitement
- Climate, e.g. sudden change in weather
- Medications e.g. aspirin
