Asthma is a long-term respiratory disorder, where the air passages within the lungs unexpectedly become inflamed, narrowed, and swollen. This then prevents airflow into and out of the lungs. Attacks occur often in response to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. It is thought that there are 5.4 million people in the UK currently receiving treatment for asthma. This equates to 8.8% of the total population (62 million estimated in 2010). In addition, it effects a staggering 300 million people worldwide. Clearly the condition is a serious issue that people need to be familiar with. At Medical Specialists we have experienced a huge increase in sales for our asthma medicine during the winter season, especially Ventolin and Salbutamol inhalers. There are many facts and statistics about asthma that many people are probably not aware of: . There were 1,131 deaths from asthma in the UK during 2009. . On average, there are 3 deaths per day that are related to asthma. . 61% of people with asthma complain that it prevents them from getting a good night’s sleep. . 42% of people with allergies complain that their allergies have an impact on their social life. . One in 11 children has asthma and it is the most common long-term medical condition. . The UK is among the highest prevalence rates of asthma symptoms in children worldwide. . Smoking during pregnancy considerably increases your baby’s risk of being wheezy or experiencing breathing difficulties. . Children in damp and mouldy homes are 1.5 – 3 times more likely to experience coughing and wheezing. . The NHS spend approximately £1 billion every year for the treatment and care for those with asthma. The common known symptoms of asthma include coughing, tightness of the chest, wheezing, and losing your breath. Unfortunately, the condition has no cure for its sufferers and asthma attacks may suddenly occur out of the blue. It is vital that those with the condition can understand the signs that their asthma is not under control and take steps to rectify this. People with uncontrolled asthma take twice as many days off work compared to people with well controlled asthma and are more liable to have regular asthma attacks and need hospital treatment. Signs that your asthma is not well controlled include: . Requiring more and more of your reliever. . Your reliever does not appear to be working. . Finding it difficult to breathe with short shallow breaths. . Needing to take your reliever more than every four hours. . Waking up at night with coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or tightness in the chest. . A difficulty in keeping up with your normal level of activity or exercise. asma uk è un ente di beneficenza che si dedica al miglioramento della salute e del benessere per i milioni di malati di asma a livello nazionale. Finora hanno investito uno straordinario £ 50 milioni nella ricerca di trattamenti migliori e cercando di trovare una cura per la condizione. L'organizzazione collabora con persone che hanno asma, professionisti della salute e ricercatori per sviluppare e condividere competenze per aiutare le persone ad aumentare la loro comprensione e ridurre l'effetto che l'asma ha sulla propria vita. Attualmente stanno organizzando un'iniziativa con sede nel Regno Unito chiamata "Triple A" (evitare gli attacchi di asma), nel tentativo di ridurre le ammissioni ospedaliere relative all'asma. All'interno della campagna offrono un test online gratuito per chiunque abbia l'asma. "The Triple A Test" aiuterà a determinare il rischio di un attacco di asma e fornirà quindi informazioni sui passaggi che è possibile prendere per evitare attacchi di asma e cosa fare in caso di verificarsi.