Asthma treatment is not helping a large number of sufferers

Asthma UK says 500,000 asthmatics are afraid their next attack will kill them, while one in six have regular attacks so severe they cannot speak.

The report calls on the government to make asthma a more serious priority.

It coincides with new asthma guidance from the British Thoracic Society, recommending GPs prescribe steroid inhalers to people with milder asthma.

The report also calls for patients, healthcare professionals and teachers or carers to take the condition more seriously.

According to Asthma UK, more than half of Britain's 5.1m asthmatics suffer severe symptoms.

The group based its findings on a survey of 525 people with serious asthma.

'Fear and isolation'

Results showed 20% of respondents to be seriously concerned that their next attack will kill them.

And 65% said they do not expect NHS asthma management methods will improve.

The report states that for half a million sufferers, there are still no medicines that adequately control their condition, while the other 2.1m suffer as a result of a "shocking failure in asthma management".

In Scotland, where asthma kills about 100 people each year, the charity said more than 40,000 people were living in constant fear of a fatal attack.

Donna Covey, chief executive of Asthma UK, said more than half of all people with asthma are coping from day to day but living in fear and often isolation.

People don't see me or understand when I've cried and wept and punched my fist through the wall gasping for another breath, thinking 'I'm not going to be able to make it this time. I feel like I'm going to die' Mike Liddel-Taylor, Bury St Edmunds

"Children can lose weeks off school and adults may be unable to work. Their relationships suffer and their family life is disrupted.

"Asthma UK is today calling for asthma to be taken seriously. It is unacceptable that asthma still kills 1,400 people every year.

"The government must do more to ensure that asthma is made a priority."

Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive for the British Lung Foundation, told BBC News Online: "Today's shocking results highlight the poor quality of life for asthma patients.

"Unfortunately, few asthma patients expect an improvement in their condition and get used to living with their symptoms.

"We would urge them to revisit their GP regularly and ask for their case to be reviewed."

Action plan

New asthma guidance from the British Thoracic Society (BTS) urges doctors and nurses to prescribe steroid inhalers in milder cases than previously recommended, in a bid to improve the quality of treatment and care.

I simply had no idea asthma could be that serious, not until the day my daughter died in my arms Leo Campbell, London

It also encourages healthcare professionals to provide patients with a written Asthma Action Plan, to help them more effectively manage their condition.

Dr Bernard Higgins of BTS said he believes the recommendations will "reduce a worsening in symptoms for patients with mild asthma".

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "The government takes asthma very seriously and is taking action on a number of fronts."

The spokesperson said training in self-management skills for people with chronic asthma will be available over the next couple of years.

The department is also due to publish a National Service Framework for people with long-term conditions, and for children, to ensure all children and young people have access to good quality care.