No child should be stigmatised because of their asthma

For people with a lung condition like asthma, it may make them feel ‘different’ to others and there may be feelings of shame, writes Sarah Woolnough

Many people still don’t see asthma as a ‘serious’ health condition (Getty)

I was concerned when I read about the study by Nottingham University Business School’s N/LAB which suggests people with asthma were not only being subjected to online bullying because of their condition but might be risking their lives by not taking their medication properly or at all as a result.  

Sadly, in our most recent annual asthma survey, 24 per cent of people with the condition said they had faced stigma or discrimination and 35 per cent said they had felt embarrassed to use their inhalers in public.

Even though asthma is a serious lung condition affecting 5.4 million people in the UK, our previous research shows that only one in six people in the UK do not know or are unsure if the condition can be fatal.

An asthma attack can be a frightening experience, leaving people fighting for breath. If someone already feels self-conscious about using their inhalers in public, anything that makes them feel more uncomfortable could have a catastrophic impact.

Bullying in any form is unacceptable. For people with a lung condition like asthma, it may make them feel “different” to others and there may be feelings of shame associated with the condition. If this deters them from asking for help or treatment it can be very dangerous. Not only could this lead to a life-threatening asthma attack but they may become depressed and isolated.

However, the good news is asthma can be managed, and the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms and attacks can be reduced with the right treatment. This is precisely why we need to change the conversation about lung conditions and the misconceptions surrounding them to ensure that everyone feels empowered to talk openly about whatever illness they have.

Asthma is a chronic condition, so it is important to take medication as prescribed. This means it is vital if you are diagnosed with asthma to use your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed. These build up protection in the airways over time to stop swelling and inflammation, so you are less likely to have an asthma attack if you come into contact with a trigger, such as pollen, smoke, dust, or cleaning products.

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Reliever inhalers (usually blue) must be carried at all times in case of symptoms or an attack as they work quickly to relax the muscles in the airways to make breathing easier. In the event of an asthma attack, a reliever inhaler can be a life-saver. If someone is reluctant to take theirs out and use it in front of others when they feel an attack coming on because they have faced judgement for having asthma, it could literally kill them.

Many people still don’t see asthma as a “serious” health condition. Misconceptions like this is one of the reasons we have one of the worst death rates for lung conditions in Western Europe, and why hospital admissions for lung conditions have doubled in recent years.  My message to people with asthma? You are not alone, and it is not something to be ashamed of. We must, as a society, do everything we can to shift perceptions, so that everyone with asthma feels empowered to manage their condition well and seeks help when they need it.

Sarah Woolnough is CEO of Asthma + Lung UK