Asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition caused by inflammation of the airways in the lungs.
Asthma is well controlled in most people most of the time. It shouldn’t restrict your daily life (including your sleep) in any way.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collection of lung diseases. It includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.
It’s important that COPD is diagnosed as early as possible.
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Asthma
What to do if you’re having an asthma attack
- Take 1 to 2 puffs of your reliever inhaler (usually blue) immediately. Use a spacer if you have one. If it is 2 puffs, these should be 1 at a time.
- Sit down and try to take slow, steady breaths.
- If you do not start to feel better, take 1 puff of your reliever inhaler every 1 minute. You can take up to 10 puffs. This is easier using a spacer if you have one.
- If you do not feel better after taking your inhaler or if you’re worried, phone 999.
- If an ambulance does not arrive within 10 minutes and you’re still feeling unwell, repeat step 3.
Your inhaler could be empty. Change to another inhaler if you can to check if it helps.
If your symptoms improve and you do not need to phone 999, you still need to see a doctor or asthma nurse within 24 hours.
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COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collection of lung diseases. It includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.
People with COPD have difficulties breathing.
COPD does not usually become noticeable until after the age of 35. Most people diagnosed with the condition are over 50 years old.
Speak to your GP practice if:
- you feel more breathlessness when exercising or moving around
- you have a cough with mucus (phlegm) that never seems to go away
- you get chest infections often, particularly in winter
- you’re wheezing
- you’re a smoker, or used to be a smoker and you have a persistent chesty cough, especially in the morning
- you have COPD and you’re having a flare-up (particularly bad symptoms) that’s worse than normal
Stop smoking
Stopping smoking is the best way for people with COPD to help themselves feel better.
Stopping smoking at an early stage of the disease makes a huge difference. Any damage already done to the airways cannot be reversed. But giving up smoking can slow the rate at which the condition worsens.