a tendency (though not always) to run in families, so look for other family members with
asthma. There is often a link between asthma and a certain activity, time of the year or food item
Asthma is frequently found in people who also suffer from eczema, rhinitis or hay fever
Asthmatics have extra-sensitive ("twitchy") airways which over-react to things that don't usually affect other people
Most asthmatics have blocked or running noses much of the time and certainly when they have other asthma symptoms
There is a positive response to asthma medication
Many asthmatics have had a long history of chest infections
Allergic asthma usually appears between the ages of five and fifteen
Asthma which appears in adults is usually associated with a life-style change - for example, a new job, change in the area you live or even a change of house in the same area
Your breathing patterns are different to other people you know of a similar age and fitness - e.g. you breathe faster, through the mouth or use your upper chest more often
Asthma can be a difficult disease to diagnose, as it can mimic other respiratory conditions such as
chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is important to have your doctor give a diagnosis.
Before you go to the doctor write down when you get your symptoms:
- are they at night or in the morning?
- at work or at home?
- when exercising?
- winter or summer?
