Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways in your lungs.
Common symptoms include:
- coughing
- wheezing
- feeling short of breath
- tightness in your chest.
With the right treatment, asthma can usually be well controlled and should not restrict your daily life.
If you are having an asthma attack
Follow the instructions in your personal asthma action plan if you have one.
Use your reliever inhaler as you have been advised by your healthcare professional.
Phone 999 if your symptoms are severe, you are getting worse or your inhaler is not helping.
Find out what to do during an asthma attack – NHS inform
If your symptoms improve after an asthma attack and you do not need emergency treatment, you should still contact a doctor or asthma nurse for a review.
If your asthma symptoms are getting worse
Contact the practice if:
- your asthma symptoms are affecting your everyday activities or sleep
- you are more short of breath than usual despite using your inhalers as prescribed
- you are needing your reliever inhaler more often
- your symptoms are not improving
- you are concerned about your asthma.
If you need urgent medical advice when the practice is closed, phone NHS 24 on 111.
Your asthma review
If you have asthma, it is important to have regular reviews to check that your asthma is well controlled.
We will normally contact you when your asthma review is due. This may be by text message or letter.
During your review, we may:
- ask about your asthma symptoms and how they affect your everyday life
- check how well your asthma is controlled
- review your medicines
- check that you are using your inhaler correctly
- discuss any problems or side effects
- review your personal asthma action plan.
Your review may be carried out by a nurse, clinical pharmacist or GP, depending on your needs.
Do not wait for your annual review if your asthma symptoms are getting worse. Contact the practice for advice.
Your asthma action plan
Your personal asthma action plan explains how to manage your asthma. It can include:
- which medicines and inhalers you should use
- how and when to use them
- how to recognise if your asthma is getting worse
- what to do if your symptoms get worse
- when to get medical help.
Your asthma action plan should be reviewed regularly with a healthcare professional.
Using your inhaler correctly
Using your inhaler correctly helps make sure you get the right amount of medicine into your lungs.
A nurse, doctor or pharmacist can check your inhaler technique and show you how to use your inhaler or spacer correctly.
Watch videos showing how to use different types of inhaler – Asthma + Lung UK
Find out more about asthma
NHS inform has information about asthma symptoms, treatment, triggers, inhalers and living with asthma.