More than 5 million people have asthma

Scientists at Aberdeen University said lives could be saved if more patients used breath- activated inhalers rather than traditional devices.

Researchers examined the medical records of almost 900,000 asthma patients across the UK.

They found sufferers had far better control of their condition using inhalers they could activate by breathing in.

Delivery of medication

This was compared with the traditional "press and breathe" devices more commonly prescribed by doctors.

There are currently more than 5 million people in the UK living with asthma.

In the treatment of asthma, there are a wide variety of inhaler devices available for the delivery of medication into the lungs.

Professor David Price, who led the study, said using the correct inhaler was crucial.

He said: "The study found that outcomes were consistently better in those using the breath-actuated device, with less use of rescue medication for asthma symptoms, fewer courses of steroids and less courses of antibiotics for respiratory infections prescribed to this group."

The study compared levels of asthma control and the need and number of doctor appointments for patients using the different devices.

The authors concluded that children and adults using the breath-actuated device had better asthma control than those using traditional 'press and breathe' inhalers.