Focus On...Asthma

We reveal the causes, complications and the best ways to curb symptoms

- Natalie Lubomirski

With over 5.4 million sufferers in the UK alone (the equivalent of 1 in every 12 adults and 1 in every 11 children), we probably all know someone who has asthma. But how much do we really know about it? For example, did you know every 10 seconds someone in the country has a potentially life-threatening asthma attack? Or that the UK has one of the worst asthma death rates in Europe? The death rate has increased by more than 20% in five years.*

Specialists believe this could be down to patients missing out on basic care, as well as a lack of awareness to the seriousness of the condition. Here, the experts give us the low-down...

Why does it happen?

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the bronchi (the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs). When you come into contact with something that irritates your lungs – known as a trigger – your airways narrow, the muscles around them tighten, and there’s an increase in sticky mucus production.