For US Residents
For US Residents
Asthma: A look behind the scenes
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the lungs, narrowing the airways and making it more difficult to breathe. Asthma can be unpredictable, especially in severe cases, but it can be managed with the right treatment and knowledge—so let’s break it down.
The inflammation connection
When it comes to asthma, chronic inflammation in the lungs plays an important role—it may even be a root cause of your attacks and symptoms. And, if left unchecked, inflammation can make your asthma even worse.
Read on to learn about how inflammation can affect your airways:
Non-asthmatic airways
Airways are usually not inflamed, and air can pass through freely.
Asthmatic airways
Asthmatic airways are inflamed and narrowed, making it feel harder to breathe.
Asthma attack
In an asthma attack, airways constrict even more, making breathing extremely difficult.
Could you have uncontrolled asthma?
Knowing if you have uncontrolled asthma can help you assess your current treatment and if it’s working for you. Despite following your doctor’s recommendations, severe asthma can remain uncontrolled—so it’s important to understand your asthma type.
If you experience any of the below, your asthma may not be under control.
Signs of uncontrolled asthma:
Still experiencing symptoms
Even while taking your medications regularly, you still experience frequent symptoms that are difficult to manage.
Severe asthma attacks
If you’ve had 2 or more asthma attacks in the past year that required treatment with oral steroids.
Multiple hospital visits
If you’ve been hospitalized due to an asthma attack more than once in the past year.
Recurring nighttime symptoms
If your symptoms frequently wake you up at night.
How uncontrolled asthma can affect your health long-term
Living with uncontrolled asthma can have a negative impact on your health if left unchecked. Read on to understand the possible effects, and why it’s so important to work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that works for you.
If you think you may have severe or uncontrolled asthma, it’s time to work on setting your treatment goals.
Now that you have a deeper understanding of asthma, discover how to address the inflammation that could be behind your symptoms.
Explore the GSK Help Center website to find customer service support and contact information.