About asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including many teenagers. It causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can make breathing difficult.¹

Asthma symptoms

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may include:

Wheezing: A whistling or squeaky sound when breathing
Coughing: Often worse at night or early in the morning
Shortness of breath: Feeling like you can’t catch your breath
Chest tightness: Feeling like something is squeezing or sitting on the chest¹

An asthma attack occurs when symptoms suddenly worsen, making it hard to breathe. During an attack, immediate medical help may be needed to control and relieve these symptoms effectively.¹

Common triggers

Asthma symptoms can be triggered by a variety of factors,^1,2 including:

Allergens: Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold
Irritants: Tobacco smoke, air pollution, strong odors
Exercise: Especially in cold, dry air

Respiratory Infections: Colds, flu, sinusitis
Weather: Cold air, sudden changes in weather
Stress and Emotions: Strong emotions like anxiety, stress or laughter

Managing asthma

Medication:

Controller medications: Taken daily to prevent symptoms (e.g. inhaled corticosteroids)

Rescue medications: Used for quick relief of asthma symptoms (e.g. short-acting beta agonists)

Avoiding triggers:

Identify and minimize exposure to triggers
Keep living environments clean and free of allergens

Uncontrolled asthma

Almost 50% of teenagers with asthma have uncontrolled asthma.³

Uncontrolled asthma is when asthma symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment efforts. This can have significant implications for teenagers’ health and daily life.

Symptoms and impact

Persistent symptoms:

Teenagers with uncontrolled asthma may experience frequent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, and are at risk of asthma attacks.

Daily challenges:

These symptoms can disrupt daily activities, sleep, and overall quality of life.

Academic & social impact:

Uncontrolled asthma can lead to missed school days, difficulty participating in sports and social activities, and feelings of isolation from peers.

Risks and complications

Health risks:

Poorly controlled asthma increases the risk of severe asthma attacks, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.

Long-term consequences:

Asthma may contribute to long-term lung damage and respiratory complications if not managed effectively.

Emotional well-being:

The stress and anxiety associated with uncontrolled asthma can affect a teenager’s mental health and social interactions.

The thought of frequent medical care or hospital visits can be overwhelming for teenagers and their families.

Did you know that taking part in a clinical research study can be an option for teenagers (12 to 17 years) with uncontrolled asthma?

References:
1. National Health Service (NHS). (2024). Asthma. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/
[Accessed 25 June 2024].

2. Asthma + Lung UK. (2024). Asthma. [online] Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/ [Accessed 25 June 2024].

3. Asher I et al. (2022). Asthma management and control in children, adolescents, and adults in 25 countries: a Global Asthma
Network Phase I cross-sectional study. The Lancet Global Health, 10(5), e599-e609. Available at:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(22)00007-7/fulltext [Accessed 25 June 2024].