Sports fan Cai Thomas has taken control of his asthma

Asthma rates in Wales are amongst the highest in the world, with more than 260,000 people with the condition.

Asthma UK Cymru says only one in eight has their condition under control.

It says almost 180,000 Welsh adults are living with symptoms which impact on their daily lives unnecessarily.

Asthma UK Cymru, a charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people with asthma, released its findings to mark World Asthma Day, which is taking place on Tuesday 02 May.

The charity's research revealed 35% of people with asthma cannot perform simple everyday tasks such as playing with children in their family because of their asthma, and 66% of people cannot run for a bus.

Asthma shouldn't stop you from achieving what you want to achieve, and from leading a full and active lifestyl Rhys Williams

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

But Asthma UK Cymru says the condition does not need to be "life-limiting".

Cai Thomas, aged 14, a sports fan from Dinas Powys in the Vale of Glamorgan, used to suffer from regular asthma attacks.

Cai took control of his condition when his parents and asthma nurse warned him if he did not, he would not be able to take part in the sports he enjoys, which include surfing, basketball, rugby and football.

He has taken control of his condition using preventative inhalers, and has also become aware of his "triggers", things that irritate the airways and cause the symptoms of asthma - in his case, cats and pollen.

"I know that if I am going to be playing any sport I need to take my inhaler 20 minutes before," Cai explained.

"I'd much prefer to be out on the pitch than sat on the sidelines," he added.

Ms Shorney wants to make people aware that asthma is controllable

Catrin Shorney, 23, from Caernarfon, Gwynedd, has had asthma since she was a toddler.

Ms Shorney is a regular at the gym and swims three times a week.

"As I have grown up my asthma has waned little by little, and I don't have the same problems I did as a child," she explained.

"If, however, I do get the feeling of tightness in my chest that usually comes before an attack, I slow down and use my inhaler. It's all about being in control."

Welsh rugby international Rhys Williams has lent his support to Asthma UK Cymru.

Williams says because of the amount of physical exercise he does, he has to take his condition seriously.

"Asthma shouldn't stop you from achieving what you want to achieve, and from leading a full and active lifestyle," he explained. "By being fit, you can actually beat asthma."

'Limitations'

Dr Richard Lewis, the Welsh secretary of the British Medical Association, said the first step was for people to realise having symptoms was not "inevitable".

He urged people to visit their doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Asthma UK Cymru says in Wales over 4,400 people are admitted to hospital with asthma a year, and has the highest proportion of children under 14 being admitted to hospital in the UK.