Organising your lifestyle to suit your condition is therefore extremely important. The great majority of patients with asthma have mild symptoms that are easily controlled.  Irrespective of the severity of asthma, all attempts to reduce the patients exposure to asthma triggers, airborne allergens and in some cases food allergens will improve the long-term prospect and reduce reliance on medications, particularly in patients whose symptoms are intermittent.  For the remaining patients with mild symptoms and in whom specific environmental causation either cannot be identified, or can only be partially avoided, medical treatment is relatively straightforward, inhaled therapy being simple and reasonably safe.  

The British Guideline on the Management of Asthma is based on all the available evidence concerning the effectiveness of standard treatments and it reflects best practice in relation to drug and other therapies.  Patients are encouraged to take control of their own asthma.

There are two basic treatments for mild asthma, reliever inhalers (usually blue in colour) and preventer inhalers (usually brown or maroon in colour).

Inhaler treatments

The purpose of the reliever inhaler (sometimes called a bronchodilator inhaler) is to dilate the airways and relieve symptoms.  Almost all asthmatics will be advised to have one of these.  

The purpose of the preventer inhaler is to stop the inflammation caused by the allergy, and hence prevent the airway narrowing.  A variety of inhaler types is now available, some used an atomised and gas propelled watery spray, others dry powder.  Some devices require the patients to press down at the right moment, others detect the intake of breath and trigger the device at just the right moment.  The use of a spacer device (this fits between the inhaler and the lips) is recommended, better delivery of the treatment droplets of particles to the lung is ensured in this way.

The purpose of the preventer inhaler is to stop the inflammation caused by the allergy, and hence prevent the airway narrowing.  A variety of inhaler types is now available, some used an atomised and gas propelled watery spray, others dry powder.  Some devices require the patients to press down at the right moment, others detect the intake of breath and trigger the device at just the right moment.  The use of a spacer device (this fits between the inhaler and the lips) is recommended, better delivery of the treatment droplets of particles to the lung is ensured in this way.

It is generally believed that undue reliance on a reliever inhaler, to the exclusion of a preventer inhaler, may result in a worse longer-term outlook than when these treatments are used properly. Whilst it is perfectly satisfactory to depend solely on the use of a reliever inhaler when symptoms do not occur every day, patients with persistent symptoms who need to use a reliever inhaler on a regular daily basis are very likely to gain better control of their asthma, and will do better in the long-term, by introducing a preventer inhaler.  Once such an inhaler has been introduced, it is usual to find after a few days that the need for the reliever inhaler either disappears or is very much reduced.

Take control

"Asthma sufferers should  take control of their asthma
and not allow their asthma to take control of them!"

Patients who take no notice of the ways in which the world around them is affecting their asthma and place their trust only in the available drug treatments to control their condition will not do best in the long term.  Knowledge of airborne allergens and airborne asthma triggers and the role of the diet and physical fitness are all important in the general management of asthma.  In this way, undue reliance on drug treatment can be avoided and the necessary treatment needed for good asthma control reduced or, in milder cases, removed altogether.  

It is also generally believed that undue reliance on the wrong kind of treatment (for example depending on reliever inhalers to the exclusion of preventer inhalers) may result in a worse longer-term outlook than when these treatments are used properly.

The British Guideline on the Management of Asthma, published by the British Thoracic Society is based on all the available evidence regarding treatment efficacy and reflect best practice in relation to drug and other therapies.  

Patients should be encouraged to take control their own asthma, and become acquainted with how in simple terms, the guideline may apply in their own particular case.  For example, you should discuss with your doctor or practice nurse an personal asthma action plan which will explain how and when to use your preventer and reliever medication and what to do if the asthma gets worse.  For example, those asthmatics that are often troubled with asthma may be helped by having a short course of oral steroid tablets at home to take in an emergency.

It is important to spot early asthma that is getting worse.  Even experienced sufferers may find this difficult to detect in the early stages.  One way round this is to have their own peak flow meter at home so that they can measure their lung performance and know when extra treatment or medical advice is necessary.

Asthma that gets worse at night or in the early hours of the morning indicates a need for additional treatment.  Wheezing or a tight chest that is not relieved by several reliever inhalations, particularly if there is difficulty with talking, necessitates urgent medical assistance.

Take the asthma control test

Recommended Websites

National Asthma Campaign
General information from the UK's main asthma charity providing articles and information relating to all aspects of asthma management. 

European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations
EFA is an alliance of 41 organisations in 23 different countries across Europe. The website gives information on the aims, activities and structure of EFA. It contains information materials, and useful links to more information on allergy, asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease (COPD).

Asthma, Allergy and Intolerance Information
Whatever your allergy or intolerance, this is a really useful source of information. You can search through articles on allergies, find out about allergy organisations, as well as the latest publications and products available.