It is a long term condition that affects 5.4 million people in the UK, that’s 1 in 12 adults. Of people who have asthma half a million have severe asthma. When a person with asthma comes into contact with an irritant the muscle that surrounds the airway contracts causing the airway to narrow. The airway lining also becomes inflamed and can produce mucus. All this leads to asthma symptoms of cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness and disturbed sleep. Some people have all these symptoms and some people have a few.

Medications to treat asthma include inhalers, tablets and occasionally injections. Below is a list of common medications, click on the name to find out more. Asthma treatment is prescribed in a step wise way with extra treatments added on if symptoms aren’t controlled and reduced when well controlled to make sure we are giving you enough medication to control your symptoms.

Asthma affects 5.4 million patients in the UK costing the NHS in excess of £1 billion/year. Despite treatment the condition is poorly controlled in more than half of these patients who continue to suffer serious symptoms including debilitating breathlessness and frightening asthma attacks. The strength of the Wessex Asthma Network is the sharing of expertise and multi disciplinary working. The network has already worked together to review guidelines on the treatment of severe asthma.

By working together the teams from the hospitals can share expertise and experience to improve patient care and experience. Together the teams have reviewed guidelines for the treatment of asthma so all patients have the same quality of treatment, wherever they live.