Controlling asthma symptoms

We know that depression and anxiety are a problem for many people with asthma.

The threat of an asthma attack, or the memory of one, can make people fearful and anxious, and ongoing asthma symptoms can lower people’s spirits.

Being emotionally low can also reduce a person’s motivation to take their asthma medicines as advised by their doctor or asthma nurse, further worsening their symptoms.

Asthma UK is funding two studies that aim to tackle depression and anxiety in different ways:

•  Dr Jennifer Cleland in Aberdeen is testing out a system to help doctors identify and diagnose those people with asthma who are also suffering with anxiety or depression
• Dr Liam Heaney in Belfast is trialling a course of anti-depressants to discover if they can both boost a person’s emotional state and improve their asthma symptoms.

Many people with asthma are keen to try ways of managing their asthma that don’t rely on drugs.

Dr Mike Thomas, Chief Medical Adviser to Asthma UK and until recently an Asthma UK Senior Research Fellow,  has been developing and testing out breathing exercises delivered by a physiotherapist.

In December 2008, he published research to show that people with asthma benefitted from breathing technique training sessions. In 2009 he proved that these benefits are long-lasting.