More than 2.5million Brits ‘can’t sleep’ because their asthma is so badly controlled and GPs ‘don’t take condition seriously,’ report claims

NEARLY 2.5 million Brits are unable to sleep because their asthma is so badly controlled, a damning report reveals.

Campaigners blamed NHS failings as numbers struggling with their condition soared by 286,000 in just two years.

They also said both GPs and patients were not treating the illness seriously enough.

3

Around 5.4 million people have asthma in the UK.

And it kills three people each day.

3

But more than four in five say their condition is badly controlled – doubling their risk of being admitted to hospital.

It is up from the past two years.

And 45 per cent say their illness has stopped them sleeping, a rise from 40 per cent in 2014.

Asthma UK warns two in three patients do not get basic care to manage their condition day to day.

And seven in 10 did not get a GP follow-up after needing emergency treatment.

RELATED STORIES

JEREMY CLARKSON

Help fight the Government’s plan to silence the free Press – and save your own freedom

'I ALMOST DIED FROM THE SMELL OF CHRISTMAS'

Shopper collapses from near-fatal asthma attack caused by 'Christmas spices'

too rasher

Regularly indulging in a bacon sarnie doubles the risk of an asthma attack, study claims

DR KEITH HOPCROFT

Think you need sleeping pills? Sort acid reflux, cramp and asthma out and maybe you can avoid them

The findings were revealed in the Annual Asthma Survey, based on responses from 4,650 patients.

In 2015, 1,468 people died from the condition - the highest number for more than a decade.

Experts said two-thirds of deaths are preventable with the right care and medication.

Kay Boycott, chief executive of Asthma UK, said the findings are “damning”.

She also pointed out that only four in 10 patients have an action plan - with ways to avoid allergy triggers and best treatment options.

She said: “It is hugely disappointing that the latest Asthma UK care survey shows little has changed since 2014.”

3

Around a quarter of asthma patients said it affects their career.

And just over half of under-60s said their illness meant they had to take time of school or work in the past year.

GP Andy Whittamore said levels of uncontrolled asthma are “unacceptable high” – and blamed high levels of complacency.

He said: “There is no single explanation for this.

“Many people have a bad night’s sleep due to their asthma, find it hard to carry out a daily activity or notice that their symptoms are bad and just accept it.

“These are signs that your lungs have hidden, untreated inflammation.

“This inflammation is what leads to symptoms and increases the risk of a life-threatening asthma attack.

“The NHS can only help us get better when they know something is wrong.

“Equally, GPs and community pharmacists need to ask their patients about these symptoms and support people to better manage their asthma.”