UK researchers have identified a novel factor contributing significantly to the deleterious effects of asthma. Their findings suggest that during asthma attacks, cells lining the airways undergo detrimental compression, potentially leading to irreversible damage.

According to the team from King's College London, targeting this mechanism with preventive medications could disrupt the cycle of harm associated with the condition.

Asthma sufferers experience heightened sensitivity in their airways triggered by various factors like pollen, pets, and physical activity, leading to inflammation and symptoms such as coughing and breathlessness.

While current treatments aim to alleviate inflammation and maintain airway patency, recurrent attacks can lead to permanent structural changes, including scarring and constriction.

The researchers focused on the process of bronchoconstriction, where the smooth muscle surrounding the airways constricts during an attack.

By studying this process in both mice and human lung tissue, they found that bronchoconstriction damages the airway lining, resulting in chronic inflammation, impaired wound healing, and increased susceptibility to infections, perpetuating the cycle of attacks.

Lead researcher Professor Jody Rosenblatt emphasized that the significance of this epithelial lining in defending against infections had been previously overlooked.

She highlighted the urgent need to intervene in this damaging cycle to prevent asthma attacks altogether by blocking the epithelial damage.

One possible preventive treatment the researchers are exploring is an element called gadolinium, which appears to help - at least in mice.

But much more work is needed to see if it might be safe and effective enough to try in people - and that will take years.

Asthma and Lung UK research and innovation director Dr Samantha Walker said: "This discovery opens important new doors to explore possible new treatment options desperately needed for people with asthma."

The charity says it's essential that people with asthma continue to use their prescribed medications correctly - many should be able to get on with their lives without symptoms getting in the way, and for those who are still having symptoms it is important that they talk to their healthcare professional.

"We know that there are many people for whom existing asthma treatments don't work as well, so it's vital we continue to fund research to find new treatments that better tackle the causes of asthma."

In the UK, more than five million people have asthma, about one in every 12 adults and one in every 11 children.

Most people with asthma have two inhalers:

a preventer to use regularly, to reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms
a reliever, to quickly open the airways
Those having an attack should not delay seeking help and call 999 if:

their reliever is not helping
the attack lasts four hours
they are worried at any time
Boy's asthma death prompts records

Job well done.