Asthma is a chronic condition causing coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.
You can tell if you, or someone with you, is having an asthma attack if:
- the reliever inhaler isn’t helping when it normally would;
- the symptoms are getting worse (coughing, breathlessness, wheezing or tight chest);
- you or someone with you is too breathless to speak, eat or sleep;
- your or someone’s breathing may get faster and it feels like you or the person can’t get your/his/her breath in properly;
- you or the person with you may complain of a tummy ache (more common in children than in adults);
Often, using the reliever inhaler will be enough to relieve the symptoms when having an attack. But sometimes symptoms are more severe and urgent action is needed.
What to do if you are having an asthma attack?
Apps
Click on the icons below for further information on useful apps that are available:
The Digital Health Passport app is designed to help young people with asthma take control of their condition. You can use it to create asthma actions plans, track symptoms and access NHS support.