Asthma
Medical review pending before publication
Updated 10 October 2026Asthma is a long-term condition in which the airways become swollen and narrow, causing wheeze, cough and breathlessness. With the right inhalers used correctly and a personal action plan, most people with asthma live full, active lives.
When it is an emergency
- Severe breathlessness, unable to speak in full sentences, blue lips, or no relief from the reliever inhaler.
Symptoms
- Wheezing
- Cough, often at night or early morning
- Chest tightness and breathlessness
Causes and risk factors
- Allergies such as dust mites and pollen
- Smoke and air pollution
- Colds and chest infections
- Exercise or cold air in some people
When to see a doctor
- Symptoms more than twice a week
- Waking at night with cough or wheeze
- Reliever inhaler needed often
Diagnosis and treatment
A chest physician confirms asthma with a breathing test and builds a plan: a daily preventer inhaler for most people, a reliever for symptoms, inhaler technique training, and trigger control.
Prevention
- Use your preventer even when well
- Avoid smoke; check air quality
- Yearly flu vaccine if advised
Frequently asked questions
Are inhalers habit-forming?
No. Inhalers deliver a small dose straight to the lungs and are the safest, most effective treatment for asthma.
Sources
Information on this website is general and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. In an emergency, call 108 or our emergency line.