Pause for breath

You shouldn't assume everything you know about lung disease is correct

- Amy Packer

ABOUT 12 million of us in Britain will develop a lung condition during our lifetime, but a lack of understanding is preventing people from getting the diagnosis and treatment we need, according to leading charity Asthma + Lung UK.

Here, its clinical lead, Dr Andy Whittamore, tackles the most common myths head-on.

MYTH: Lung conditions mainly affect smokers

FACT: About 10,000 people in the UK are newly diagnosed with a lung disease each week.

While smoking is the cause of many lung conditions, including cancer and sleep apnoea, it is far from the only one.

Breathing in polluted air, mould particles and exposure to dust or asbestos can contribute to lung conditions such as pneumoconiosis, a group of lung-scarring diseases.

Research by Asthma + Lung UK found that 20 per cent of people with the condition had no history of smoking.

MYTH: Exercise causes asthma attacks

FACT: Exercise can be a trigger for some people who have asthma, but only very few.

In most cases, it is not the exercise itself that triggers the symptoms.