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Asthma is a common condition of the lungs. Typical symptoms are linked with breathing, such as:
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They can come and go. However, even if you have infrequent symptoms, this does not mean that your asthma does not need regular treatment. Even people with mild asthma can have severe or life-threatening asthma flare-ups when inappropriately treated.
An asthma attack is when you experience severe symptoms, making it difficult for you to breathe.
You may be experiencing an asthma attack if:
You don’t need to have all of these signs to be having an asthma attack – just one or two may be enough. Always carry your reliever inhaler with you. This way, you can use it quickly if you develop symptoms or think an asthma attack is starting.
Use your reliever inhaler as quickly as possible and follow the instructions in your asthma action plan! If you do not have your reliever inhaler on you and you are struggling to breathe, call the emergency services immediately (EU: 112, UK: 999, US & Canada: 911, Australia: 000)!
If you experience one or more of the typical symptoms of asthma but haven’t received a formal diagnosis, you should reach out to your GP. Even if your symptoms only appear during specific situations (such as exercise, exposure to certain substances, or at night/early in the morning), it’s essential to consult a doctor to check for asthma.
 If you have a formal diagnosis of asthma, you need to see a GP/asthma nurse in the following cases:
Ask for an urgent GP/asthma nurse appointment if you had an asthma attack and recovered. Even if you feel better, it is still necessary to see your GP/asthma nurse as soon as possible. It's important to follow up, as having one asthma attack is a major risk factor for having another. You will discuss your current treatment plan and receive advice on how to prevent future asthma flare-ups. If you have an asthma action plan, take it with you for review. If you do not have an action plan, it is a good idea to bring this up with your GP.
Depending on your healthcare system, you may be able to see a respiratory specialist directly, or you might need a referral from your GP or asthma nurse.
Seeing a specialist is important in the following situations:
If you are experiencing a severe asthma attack:
! Do not drive yourself to the emergency department, call for an ambulance!
(EU: 112, UK: 999, US & Canada: 911, Australia: 000)
People with asthma often have other conditions, called comorbidities. These are diseases that occur together with asthma and may lead to other symptoms. When being diagnosed with asthma, your doctor will also question you about other symptoms you might be experiencing.
In addition to asthma, patients are more likely to experience the following conditions:
Also known as hay fever, causes symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion and an itchy nose/eyes/palate. Many people with asthma also have allergic rhinitis, as similar allergens can trigger both conditions. Up to 80% of patients with asthma also experience allergic rhinitis, which is a risk factor for future asthma development and also worsens existing asthma. AR needs to be well-controlled by treatment.
Stay tuned—EUFOREA will soon launch a dedicated section of this patient portal focused entirely on allergic rhinitis.
A condition of the upper airways, where the nose and sinuses become inflamed for an extended period. This leads to symptoms such as nasal congestion, headaches or facial pain, and a runny nose. Up to 50% of patients with asthma also experience CRS, and the two conditions often aggravate each other.
CRS with nasal polyps, also called Nasal Polyp Syndrome, is particularly common in patients with severe asthma. Be sure to visit the dedicated section on CRS in our patient portal, where you’ll find helpful information about CRS and nasal polyp syndrome.
Also known as NSAID-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (N-ERD), it is a condition that includes three key features: asthma, chronic sinus problems with nasal polyps (which often return even after surgery), and issues with taking aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Symptoms typically start suddenly and can be serious. People with AERD usually have asthma, a stuffy nose and recurrent nasal polyps. Many have experienced chronic sinus infections, and a loss of smell is also common.
Upon using aspirin or an NSAID, a reaction develops that classically involves both upper airways (a more pronounced stuffy nose, headache/facial pain, and sneezing) as well as lower airways (cough, wheezing, tight chest). AERD is not an allergy, and it is not caused by taking aspirin or NSAIDs. However, sinus or asthma symptoms may get worse when taking these medicines. Approximately 9% of adults with asthma and 30% of patients with asthma and chronic sinus problems with nasal polyps have AERD.
A condition where the upper airway briefly collapses during sleep, causing repeated pauses in breathing. Asthma and OSA are closely linked. People with asthma—especially those who have a higher weight or have hard-to-control symptoms—are more likely to develop OSA. If OSA isn’t treated, it can lead to worse asthma symptoms and more frequent asthma attacks.
Some people with asthma also develop COPD, a disease characterised by chronic impairment of the airways and lung tissue. People who have smoked for a long time are especially at risk. Having both conditions can make breathing problems worse and harder to manage.
A skin condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It is more common in people with asthma and other allergic conditions.
Acid reflux is more common in people with asthma. Moreover, these two conditions can make each other worse. GERD can mimic or trigger asthma symptoms like coughing or wheezing, while asthma — especially the coughing and pressure from breathing difficulties — can increase reflux by putting more pressure on the stomach.
This is a very rare condition that causes a specific type of inflammation in the blood vessels, especially in the lungs, but it can also affect other organs. EGPA usually develops in people who have a history of asthma or severe allergies. Because symptoms can appear at different times and in different parts of the body, it can be difficult to diagnose. With modern treatments, EGPA can often be well-managed.
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