Asthma is a condition that affects the airways and breathing, the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. During an asthma attack your immune system overreacts to a trigger and the muscles around the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and begins to swell making it difficult to breathe and leading to symptoms of coughing, wheezing, breathlessness or feeling tight in the chest.

You have been discharged from the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) after an asthma attack.

If your attack was mild:

You will have been advised to start a steroid inhaler twice a day, or if already on a steroid inhaler, to double the existing dose until review by your Asthma Nurse Specialist or GP during the following week.

If other than a mild attack:

You will have been advised to have a course of oral prednisolone (40 mg once a day) for a week.
Steroid tablets reduce inflammation and improve how well your lungs work. They reduce your symptoms quickly and lessen the chance of you needing to be admitted to hospital.

You must be reviewed by your Asthma Nurse Specialist or GP before the course finishes, as some asthmatics will need to continue for a few days longer. The prescribing of antibiotics is not indicated for acute asthma.

You should return to the ED over the next week if:

Your peak flow is less than 60% of best
Your asthma worsens, ie, increased wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness or nocturnal cough

You should always:

Take the medication as prescribed
See your Asthma Nurse Specialist or GP within 48 hours of your attendance at the ED after your asthma attack to make sure your symptoms are better controlled

Prevention

Use a peak flow meter to monitor whether your asthma is getting worse
You should visit your Asthma Nurse Specialist or GP at least once a year for a check-up and to discuss treatment options
You should try to avoid the factors that may be triggering your asthma. This includes reducing contact with anything that you are allergic to, such as animal hair or pollen. Always wash your hands after touching things that trigger your asthma, especially when stroking pets
It is also sensible to reduce house dust mite residues where possible, by using mattress covers, vacuum cleaners with allergy filters, and damp dusting
You should ensure that you avoid general irritants such as tobacco smoke where possible
It is important that you take all prescribed preventive medicines, as your Asthma Nurse Specialist or GP advises, even when you have no symptoms
It is also important, that you are using your inhalers correctly, if you are unable to use your inhalers, you should contact your Asthma Nurse Specialist or GP so your inhaler technique can be reassessed or an alternative may be found

Certain triggers can bring on symptoms. It’s sensible to try to avoid these triggers as much as possible, as they will make your asthma worse.

Attacks can be triggered by:

Breathing in (inhaling) certain allergens (something that causes an allergy), such as pollen or fungal spores, animal fur or house dust mite droppings
Viral and bacterial chest infections
Exercise, especially when it is cold
Changes in the weather
Fumes given off by cleaning products and solvents in the home including floor cleaners, room fresheners and polish
Tobacco smoke, pollution or vehicle exhaust fumes
Worry and stress
Foods such as nuts and shellfish, or food additives such as tartrazine

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A senior nurse or doctor will be able to advise you.

Alternatively, you may contact 111

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You have been discharged from the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) after an asthma attack.

Prevention

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