Young Wrexham

Asthma

There are over 314,000 people with asthma living in Wales (www.asthma.org.uk)

Asthma is a condition affecting your airways. It becomes difficult to breathe as your airways get narrower and inflamed.

Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• A tight chest,
• Swelling and streaming eyes,
• Wheezing and coughing

Asthma may be triggered by:

• Colds and coughs
• Air pollution
• Animal hair
• Cigarette smoke
• Dust
• Strong fumes

An asthma attack happens when the airways swell, fill with mucus and the muscle bands tighten. This makes it difficult for air to get to and from the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

Although there is no cure for asthma, the right treatment will help. See your doctor for advice on treatments.

Asthma sufferers can use a mixture of relievers and preventers:

• Relievers: relax muscles during an attack, providing temporary relief
• Preventers: regular doses can prevent attacks and control swelling of the airways