Long term conditions
Click on the conditions below to view resources and information to help you manage your condition.
Asthma
Asthma is a common condition that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness. Most people with asthma who take the appropriate treatment can live normal lives, but left untreated, asthma can cause permanent damage to the airways.
Find out more about asthma on the NHS website.
Useful links
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. The main symptom of COPD is an inability to breathe in and out properly. This is also referred to as airflow obstruction.
Find out more about COPD on the NHS website.
Useful links
Cancer
One in three people will be affected by cancer at some stage in their life. There are many different types of cancer and this page doesn’t cover them all, but the general information will help you to access further information and support.
Find out more about cancer on the NHS website.
Useful links
CLIC Sargent – support for young people with cancer
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a preventable disease that was responsible for the deaths of 88,000 people in the UK in 2008 (British Heart Foundation CHD Statistics 2010). In all, 191,00 died from heart and circulatory disease in the UK. Death rates are highest in Scotland and North of England and lowest in the South of England. CHD is the biggest killer in the country.
Find out more about coronary heart disease on the NHS website.
Useful links
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is also known as diabetes mellitus. There are two types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2.
Find out more about diabetes on the NHS website.
Useful links
Mental health
Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. One in four people in the UK have a mental health problem at some point in their lives, which affects their daily life, relationships or physical health.
Useful links
Samaritans – Call 116 123
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 8.5 million people in the UK. It develops gradually over time, causing joints to become stiff and painful. It can affect any joint but commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine.
Find out more about osteoarthritis on the NHS website.
Useful links
Pain
Help from your GP and use of NHS services dedicated to pain management can help make sufferers more independant, reduce the severity of pain and assist in day to day with coping with what can be a debilitating condition.
Find our more about living with chronic pain on the NHS website.
Useful links
Stroke
A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Read more about stroke on the NHS website.
Useful links
Different Strokes – support for younger stroke survivors