How to get better care for your lung condition
With GP practices getting busier, appointments can be hard to find. But those with lung conditions can take charge of their illness to make sure they are getting the right treatment and care. Dr Andy Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK, gives his advice on how you can help manage your lung condition well.
Fighting to end the lung health lottery
We are calling for the government to address stark inequalities in lung health across the UK with our recently launched End the Lung Health Lottery campaign. If we want to stop people dying avoidably from their lung conditions, these health inequalities need to be urgently addressed.
Why should we be thinking about the social impact of living with a lung condition?
For some people with long-term lung conditions, their symptoms can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Dr Lisa Jane Brighton, a researcher at King’s College London, explains why we should be thinking about how living with a long-term lung condition can affect people’s social wellbeing.
Changes to inhaler prescriptions: what they might mean
Dr Andrew Whittamore looks at recent changes to reliever inhaler prescriptions and explains what they mean and how closer monitoring of reliver inhaler use can improve asthma management. He also gives his advice on what you can do to make sure you’re getting the full benefits of your medicines.
How running the London Marathon helped me manage my grief - and why I’m doing it again
Laura Gilmore, a 37-year-old Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) from Prestwick near Glasgow, will be tackling the iconic TSC London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK Scotland for the second time. She tells us how running helped managed her grief after losing her dad to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and why she’s fundraising in his memory.
Making the UK a lung research superpower
Six million people in the UK currently have a lung condition and someone dies from one every five minutes. The research that is needed to prevent people developing these conditions, as well as diagnosing, treating, and managing them if they do, is seriously underfunded. Our new report sets out why we need to see more investment and how it should be invested.
Managing fatigue with a lung condition
Fatigue is very common with a lung condition. Tina has bronchiectasis and interstitial lung disease (ILD) and struggles with feeling tired on a daily basis. She’s found some excellent ways to help her cope and stay positive. In this blog, she shares her story and her advice for anyone else struggling with feelings of exhaustion.
The NHS Long Term Plan: what it means for you
The NHS England Long Term Plan, set out in 2017, determines what the health service prioritises and invests extra money in. Respiratory is one of the main clinical priority areas in it, which will help slowly improve services and care for people with lung conditions. Read about what it could mean for you.
Know your rights - what to do if you have damp and mould in a rented home
Damp is a common issue, especially in old houses or those in need of repair. Damp and mould can be a problem if you have a lung condition so fixing damp issues is important. Here’s what you can do about damp and mould if you live in a rented home.
Looking after your wellbeing in winter
Winter can be challenging if you have a lung condition and it’s really important to look after both your physical and mental wellbeing. Here are Dr Andy’s top tips on keeping safe and well throughout the winter.
Chris Whitty: urgent action is needed to tackle air pollution
Last week, Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty, published his annual report for 2022, which this year focussed on air pollution. In the report, he makes recommendations on how air pollution should be tackled by national government, local government and businesses. Chloe from our policy team takes you through the report and what we think needs to happen now.
Keeping Warm Hubs safe
This winter, many organisations are setting up Warm Hubs. These are places where members of the public can go to keep warm. Working with experts in public health and lung disease, Asthma + Lung UK has produced guidance to help ensure that people running warm hubs can be confident that they are doing everything possible to make the environment safe.
It all starts with a diagnosis
Our vision at Asthma + Lung UK is for a world where everyone has healthy lungs. When people are left struggling to breathe, getting them the right treatment starts with early and accurate diagnosis.
Dr Erika Kennington, Head of Research and Innovation, tells us more about Asthma + Lung UK’s £2 million investment in improving diagnosis and why better diagnosis tools, techniques, and approaches are key to saving the nation’s lung health.
Genetic targeted therapy for lung cancer transformed my mother's life
In June 2020, Philomeena’s mum, Rita, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and she wondered how much time she had left. Now, in 2022, Philomeena shares the story of how she has cared for her beloved mother remotely, and how Rita is beating lung cancer.
My battle for a COPD diagnosis – and what helped change my life
Speaking on World COPD Day, Katy Brown, 65, from Bristol, reveals how she struggled to get a COPD diagnosis during the pandemic, the challenges she faced and what has helped her through.
Be kind to yourself this Christmas
It can be especially hard to deal with grief at Christmas, when everyone around you seems to be celebrating. Here are some tips on looking after yourself at this difficult time.
Pneumonia almost left my young sons without their mum
After being struck down suddenly by pneumonia at 33 on her son’s third birthday, our supporter, Jardine ended up on life support. Here she tells us why she’s raising awareness this World Pneumonia Day, and why it’s so important.
Ask a researcher: How a simple blood test could be used to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis
Andy, aged 37, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in 2013. He is currently waiting for a lung transplant. Here he asks our researcher, Simon a few questions about his research into PF and how it could make a difference to others with the condition.
Stress caused my father to have a fatal asthma attack at 54. I was scared the same thing would happen to me.
Anita has first-hand experience of the impact stress can have on asthma, as her dad collapsed and died from a stress-induced asthma attack when she was a teenager. Anita, 49, who has asthma herself, changed her life to stop history repeating itself.
No one should have to put their life on hold - why it’s critical we find out why asthma is worse for women
Living with a long-term lung condition can affect many aspects of your life. You’ll have physical symptoms, like getting out of breath and feeling tired. Lung conditions can also affect your mood, how you feel, and your ability to cope with daily life.
This World Mental Health Day, we’ve pulled together some tips to help you to look after your mental health right now.