How to know if you have asthma

First new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years hailed as 'game-changer'

Doctors and patients have hailed a new treatment for serious asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks as a potential "game-changer".

According to a study, the injection, which is the first new treatment for 50 years, is more effective than the current care of steroid tablets and cuts the need for further treatment by 30%.

Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets specific white blood cells, called eosinophils, to reduce lung inflammation.

It is currently used as a repeat treatment for severe asthma at a low dose, but a new clinical trial has found that a higher single dose could be very effective if injected at the time of a flare-up.

The findings, published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine, uncovered a link between the new treatment and a better quality of life.

Scientists said steroids can have severe side-effects such as increasing the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis, meaning switching to benralizumab could provide huge benefits.

Experts have hailed a new treatment for asthma as a 'game-changer'. (Getty Images)
Experts have hailed a new treatment for asthma as a 'game-changer'. (Getty Images)

Lead investigator Professor Mona Bafadhel, from King’s, said: "This could be a game-changer for people with asthma and COPD.

"Treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations have not changed in 50 years, despite causing 3.8 million deaths worldwide a year combined.

"Benralizumab is a safe and effective drug already used to manage severe asthma.

"We’ve used the drug in a different way – at the point of an exacerbation – to show that it’s more effective than steroid tablets, which is the only treatment currently available."

Researchers said benralizumab could potentially be administered safely at home or in a GP practice, as well as in A&E.

Some 5.4 million people in the UK have asthma, that is around eight in every 100 people.

The NHS describes asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. While it often starts in childhood, it can affect people of all ages and can develop for the first time in adults.

"Asthma is a complex and highly variable disorder that can cause a range of symptoms from mild to life-threatening," explains Dr Todd Green, GP Lead at Livi.

"It was recently estimated that four people die from asthma every day in the UK. Its variability in conjunction with there still being no single consistently accurate diagnostic test for asthma can make it a difficult condition to diagnose, particularly in early and mild disease."

Dr Green says there are four cardinal symptoms of asthma, and NICE suggests at least two of these are generally required to consider a diagnosis:

  • cough (usually dry)

  • wheeze (whistling noise on breathing out)

  • breathlessness

  • tightness in the chest.

Not everyone with asthma gets all of these symptoms, but according to Asthma and Lung UK it is more likely to be asthma if:

  • you have more than one of these symptoms

  • your symptoms happen often

  • your symptoms are worse at night and early in the morning

  • your symptoms happen when you come into contact with an asthma trigger, like pollen or animals or when you have a cold or virus.

"Typically, these symptoms are worse at night and with exercise, but other triggers may include exposure to cold air or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen," Dr Green adds.

Interestingly the charity also notes that people with asthma usually get symptoms for short periods of time, rather than always having them.

The causes of asthma are still not understood and current medications treat the consequences of an asthma attack, but do not prevent it.

"There are also several well-documented factors that increase the likelihood of developing asthma such as premature birth, personal or family history of allergies (including hayfever), obesity, and exposure to dust and chemicals," Dr Green adds.

Around 5.4 million Brits are currently living with asthma. (Getty Images)
Around 5.4 million Brits are currently living with asthma. (Getty Images)

Several conditions can cause similar symptoms, so it's important to get a proper diagnosis and correct treatment.

"I would recommend people who experience any of the above four symptoms either a) regularly and to varying degrees over a period of at least 6 weeks or b) to a severe degree over any timeframe such that they cannot manage their usual activities should make an appointment to see a GP for assessment," Dr Green adds.

If you think you or your child may have asthma it is important to see a GP who will usually be able to diagnose asthma by asking about symptoms and carrying out some simple tests.

When seeking advice from your GP, Allergy UK advise being prepared for them to ask the following questions.

  1. What symptoms are being experienced?

  2. When do symptoms occur and how often?

  3. Does anything appear to trigger symptoms?

  4. If you or your child have conditions such as eczema or allergies, or if there is a family history of them.

It can help to write down details of your symptoms or keep a symptom diary to record when your symptoms are worse. Make a note of anything that seems to set your symptoms off.

Additional reporting PA.

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