Asthma is a common condition that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness. Most people with asthma who take the appropriate treatment can live normal lives but left untreated, asthma can cause permanent damage to the airways.
The usual symptoms of asthma are
Not everyone will get all of these symptoms. Some people experience them from time to time; a few people may experience these symptoms all the time.
There isn’t a cure for asthma. However, treatments are available to help manage your symptoms. Your treatment plan will be individual to you, combining medicines and asthma management in a way that works best for you.
Medicines are only part of your asthma treatment. You will also need to deal with the things that make it worse. Keep a diary to record anything that triggers your asthma – this can help you to discover a pattern. Using a peak flow meter to monitor your lung function can also help. If you have repeatedly low readings in a certain situation (for example, at the end of a working day, after exercise or after contact with an animal) this may indicate the trigger.
For patients who are due an annual asthma review.
Please would you answer the questions on the form below and submit it to us by emailing bnssg.cedarssuregry@nhs.net. You can do this by accessing the link below (Asthma Control Test), save it when prompted and then view result and this should allow you to email it to us. Please ensure you indicate which patient the result is referring to if you are emailing on behalf of someone else. Alternatively please print your results and hand in at reception or by posting to the surgery, again ensuring your name and date of birth are on the hard copy form.
If your symptoms are deteriorating or you have any concerns, please make an appointment to see the respiratory nurse or a doctor as well.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Asthma UK
This website has been revamped to meet the needs of the thousands of people with asthma
who visit the site each day, either to find important information about asthma and how to control it.
Asthma
An excellent resource with useful video, audio, images and references relating to Asthma.
NHS - Asthma
Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of Asthma.