Breath of life

THE death of Four Weddings And A Funeral star Charlotte Coleman at the age of just 33 after suffering a massive asthma attack has underlined just how serious a condition it can be. Any parent of an asthmatic child knows asthma can be frightening, disruptive and deeply distressing. Tragically, as Miss Coleman's death reminds us, it can also occasionally be fatal.

There are about 5.1 million people in the UK who suffer from asthma, according to the National Asthma Campaign - and, in the past 12 months alone, something like 1,500 people have died because of it.

Diane Chapman doesn't need telling how serious asthma can be. Three-and-a-half years ago, her son Carl died after a severe asthma attack at the age of just 25.

He'd been a fun-loving young man who had lived life to the full despite suffering from asthma since childhood. One of the trophies he won as a member of the motorcycle club Auto 66 still stands proudly on the mantelpiece of the family home near Murton, York.

His death was tragically sudden. He had gone to stay with a friend in Hovingham. He had seemed fine as he got up the following morning, but then suffered a massive asthma attack. He was rushed to Malton Hospital, but medics were unable to save him.

"They told us that the attack was so rapid, so bad, that he would have had to be in an intensive care unit when it happened for him to survive," says Diane.

"This ought to be recognised as the serious condition it is, both by the medical profession and by people in the street. People used to say 'oh, he will grow out of it, when he's 15, when he's 21.'"

For long periods of time, Carl's condition was kept under control. He had three inhalers and also took tablets. But his family never knew when he was going to have an attack - or how bad it would be if he did have one.

"You can be saying 'are you all right? Shall I get the doctor?' and they will say 'I'm all right'. But then it can accelerate very, very quickly, to the point of collapse," says Diane.

The National Asthma Campaign says that there will always be a few cases like that of Carl Chapman and Charlotte Coleman, where attacks are so serious and sudden that little can be done. But they will be the exception rather than the rule.

While there is still no cure, many of the 1,500 deaths a year could be avoided if sufferers, their families and members of the public generally were more aware of the seriousness of the condition, and took the correct steps to alleviate it, the charity says.

The key, says the National Asthma Campaign's Kirsty Jackson, is to get a correct diagnosis as early as possible, and then to work out an asthma self-management plan with your GP or specialist which gives written information on what treatment to take and when; what 'triggers' likely to cause an asthma attack to avoid; how to recognise whether symptoms are worsening; and what to do in an emergency.

"We urge people not to take their asthma for granted," says Kirsty. "Asthma is about more than wheezing now and then - for some people it is a matter of life and death."

- If you would like advice or information about asthma, call the National Asthma Campaign's Asthma Helpline on 0845 701 02 03, or check out the website at www.asthma.org.uk.

Asthma fact file

What is asthma?

Asthma is a condition that affects your airways - the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. People with asthma have airways that are almost always inflamed, and so red and sensitive. These airways can react badly when you have a cold or other viral infection or when you come into contact with an asthma trigger. If that happens, the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so the airway becomes narrower. The lining of the airways also becomes inflamed and starts to swell, often producing sticky mucous or phlegm which may cause you to start coughing or wheezing.

What triggers an asthma attack?

There are many potential asthma triggers, and different people may be sensitive to different ones. It is important to find out what is likely to trigger an attack for you, and then try to avoid it. Keeping a diary is a good way to find out - then discuss it with your GP. A few of the more common triggers (there are many more) include:

Colds and viruses - difficult to avoid, but you can help fight viruses by eating lots of vitamin C-rich fresh fruit and veg. Flu injections are also recommended

Pollen - many different types of pollen grains can trigger asthma. Avoid spending too much time outdoors on hot, dry days, avoid long grass and keep car windows closed

House dust mite - Up to 85 per cent of people with allergic asthma are sensitive to the tiny creatures which are too small to see and live in the dust that builds up around the house. Tips to beat them include vacuuming every day, opening the windows regularly to let in clean, fresh air and using barrier covers for mattress, duvet and pillow.

Pets - a common allergic trigger of asthma. If someone in your family has asthma, it's best not to buy a pet

Cigarette smoke - irritates the lungs and causes airways to narrow, increasing the risk of an asthma attack. Give up.

Exercise - if you use your medicines properly you should still be able to exercise to keep fit and healthy

How is asthma treated?

There are two main kinds of asthma medicine, both of which involve inhalers - relievers and preventers. Relievers are taken immediately you experience any asthma symptoms. They quickly relax the muscles and help airways to open up, making it easier to breathe again. Preventers, which are often steroid-based, calm down the inflammation in the airways and stop them being so sensitive, which makes them less likely to react to a trigger. They need to be used regularly every day, usually in the morning and evening, even when you feel well.

What to do in an asthma attack

Discuss with your GP when working out your asthma self-management plan what steps you personally should take. The following is general advice

- Keep your inhalers with you at all times.

- If you have an attack, take two puffs of your reliever straight away.

- Keep calm, try to relax. Sit rather than lie down and try to slow your breathing

- Wait five to ten minutes then, if the reliever has had no effect, call the doctor or an ambulance. Do not be afraid of causing a fuss, even at night.

- Keep taking your reliever inhaler every few minutes until the ambulance arrives.