Asthma will not stop sporty Cai (From Penarth Times)

Asthma will not stop sporty Cai

SURFING, basketball, rugby and football - you name it, Dinas Powys lad Cai Thomas plays it.

So it is hard to believe that he used to regularly suffer from asthma attacks.

Cai, aged 14, of Lettons Way, was spurred into taking control of his asthma after his parents and local asthma nurse told him he would not be able to take part in the sports he enjoys if he didn't follow doctors' orders.

He is in the minority, according to new figures released by support group Asthma UK Cymru this week - as just one in eight people with asthma in Wales has their condition under control.

The disturbing statistics, which were released to mark World Asthma Day on Tuesday (May 2), mean that more than 6,800 people with asthma in the Vale of Glamorgan are living with symptoms that impact unnecessarily on their daily lives.

The respiratory condition causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

But Cai, a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg in Barry, controls his condition by using preventative inhalers and is able to lead a full and active lifestyle like his school mates.

Sports-mad Cai plays both rugby and football for his school and Dinas Powys under-14s, as well as playing basketball and surfing.

Asthma UK Cymru's research revealed that 35 per cent of people with asthma can't perform simple everyday tasks such as playing with children in their family because of their asthma, and 66 per cent of people cannot run for a bus.

Cai is able to control his asthma as he is aware of his 'triggers', those things that irritate the airways and cause the symptoms of asthma. In his case, cats and pollen are the main triggers.

He said: "I know that if I am going to be playing any sport I need to take my inhaler 20 minutes before. I'd much prefer to be out on the pitch than sat on the sidelines!"

Nia Jeffreys from Asthma UK Cymru said: "Cai is a great example to others with asthma.

"The condition does not need to be life-limiting if people use the correct medication at recommended times, even when they are well.

"We also recommend that people with the condition eat a healthy balanced diet, take regular exercise, and recognise and avoid the 'triggers' that can irritate the airways and cause the symptoms of asthma.

"The first step is to realise that having symptoms is not inevitable, and then to see their doctor, nurse or pharmacist for optimisation of therapy and a written personal asthma action plan."