ASTHMA
What is asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition affecting children and adults. The air passages in
the lungs become narrow due to inflammation and tightening of the muscles around
the small airways. This causes asthma symptoms: cough, wheeze, shortness of
breath and chest tightness. These symptoms are intermittent and are often worse at
night or during exercise. Other common “triggers” can make asthma symptoms
worse. Triggers vary from person to person but can include viral infections (colds),
dust, smoke, fumes, changes in the weather, grass and tree pollen, animal fur and
feathers, strong soaps, and perfume.
The impact of asthma on daily life
Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, particularly in low- and middle-
income countries.
People with under-treated asthma can suffer sleep disturbance, tiredness during the
day, and poor concentration. Asthma sufferers and their families may miss school
and work, with financial impact on the family and wider community. If symptoms are
severe, people with asthma may need to receive emergency health care and they
may be admitted to hospital for treatment and monitoring. In the most severe cases,
asthma can lead to death.
Causes of asthma
Many different factors have been linked to an increased risk of developing asthma,
although it is often difficult to find a single, direct cause.
Asthma is more likely if other family members also have asthma – particularly
a close relative, such as a parent or sibling.
Asthma is more likely in people who have other allergic conditions, such as
eczema and rhinitis (hay fever).
Urbanisation is associated with increased asthma prevalence, probably due to
multiple lifestyle factors.
Events in early life affect the developing lungs and can increase the risk of
asthma. These include low-birth-weight, prematurity, exposure to tobacco
smoke and other sources of air pollution, as well as viral respiratory infections.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition affecting children and adults. The air passages in
the lungs become narrow due to inflammation and tightening of the muscles around
the small airways. This causes asthma symptoms: cough, wheeze, shortness of
breath and chest tightness. These symptoms are intermittent and are often worse at
night or during exercise. Other common “triggers” can make asthma symptoms
worse. Triggers vary from person to person but can include viral infections (colds),
dust, smoke, fumes, changes in the weather, grass and tree pollen, animal fur and
feathers, strong soaps, and perfume.
The impact of asthma on daily life
Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, particularly in low- and middle-
income countries.
People with under-treated asthma can suffer sleep disturbance, tiredness during the
day, and poor concentration. Asthma sufferers and their families may miss school
and work, with financial impact on the family and wider community. If symptoms are
severe, people with asthma may need to receive emergency health care and they
may be admitted to hospital for treatment and monitoring. In the most severe cases,
asthma can lead to death.
Causes of asthma
Many different factors have been linked to an increased risk of developing asthma,
although it is often difficult to find a single, direct cause.
Asthma is more likely if other family members also have asthma – particularly
a close relative, such as a parent or sibling.
Asthma is more likely in people who have other allergic conditions, such as
eczema and rhinitis (hay fever).
Urbanisation is associated with increased asthma prevalence, probably due to
multiple lifestyle factors.
Events in early life affect the developing lungs and can increase the risk of
asthma. These include low-birth-weight, prematurity, exposure to tobacco
smoke and other sources of air pollution, as well as viral respiratory infections.
