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(Download asthma fact sheet as Word document)
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways, characterised by difficulty in breathing. Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and cough.1Asthma is by its nature a variable disease that, for every affected individual, can change both daily and seasonally.1
Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be treated effectively. Research shows that with proper treatment, nearly all asthma patients can achieve and maintain good asthma control, enabling them to live full and active lives.
Is asthma a serious problem?
Asthma is a serious public health problem throughout the world. When uncontrolled,
asthma can place severe limits on daily life, and is sometimes fatal.1
- It is estimated that as many as 300 million people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds suffer from asthma.2
- Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and the prevalence is increasing every year, especially among children.1
- It is estimated that by 2025 there will be an additional 100 million people worldwide suffering from asthma.2
- In Europe alone, almost 30 million people suffer from asthma, and in Western Europe the incidence of asthma has doubled over the last decade.2
- Annual worldwide deaths from asthma have been estimated at 250,000. Major factors contributing to asthma morbidity and mortality are under-diagnosis and inappropriate treatment.2
The causes of asthma are not well understood, and include both genetic and environmental factors. The mechanisms whereby these factors influence the development and expression of asthma are complex and interactive.
The causes of asthma symptoms and attacks, however, are better understood and include chronic inflammation in the airways and bronchoconstriction. Inflamed airways are red and swollen and sensitive to a variety of factors (triggers) such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, allergens, tobacco smoke, exercise, and cold air. Exposure to triggers can cause bronchoconstriction (tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways) and can set off an asthma attack.
What happens during an asthma attack?
During an asthma attack (exacerbation), the linings of the airways swell, become clogged with mucus and the surrounding muscles tighten, making breathing difficult. When asthma is not properly treated and uncontrolled the risk and incidence of exacerbations increases.1 An asthma attack can be life-threatening.
How is asthma treated?
As asthma is a chronic condition, it usually requires long term care and treatment with medication. The goal of asthma treatment is to achieve and maintain good control of the disease and minimise the risk of asthma attacks.1
The majority of people with asthma need two types of medications:
- A reliever medication (rapid-acting bronchodilators) that must be kept on hand at all times to treat attacks or provide quick relief of symptoms.
- A controller medication that is taken every day (as maintenance therapy) to control the airway inflammation and prevent symptoms and attacks from starting.
1. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2007. Available from: http://www.ginasthma.org.
2. The Global Burden of Asthma Report 2004, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Available from: http://www.ginasthma.org.
Contact details
Emily James / Georgie Griffith
Cohn & Wolfe
Telephone: +44 20 7331 2336 / 5369
Email: emily_james@uk.cohnwolfe.com and georgie_griffith@uk.cohnwolfe.com
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Page updated on 28 April 2008
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