ASTHMA & LIFE INSURANCE ~ UNDERWRITING ISSUES Life Insurance for Asthma Sufferers   If you have a history of asthma, a broker may still be able to help you obtain life or critical illness insurance - although maybe not onto standard terms. There are some critical factors involved that will determine your ability to obtain coverage & your information is always treated with the utmost privacy by the insurer or broker.   What is Asthma ? Asthma is a common condition that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness - where the airways become irritated and inflamed. As a result, they become narrower & produce extra mucus. This makes it more difficult for air to flow into and out of the lungs and causes the symptoms of asthma. Most people with asthma who take the appropriate treatment can live perfectly normal lives, but left untreated, asthma can cause permanent damage to the airwaves. Very rarely, a severe asthma attack can be fatal. About 1/12 adults are treated in the UK for asthma each year. Athma often starts in childhood, but it can happen for the first time at any age. Asthma symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. These symptoms tend to be variable and may stop and start. They are often worse at night. Life Insurance - Causes of Asthma The cause of an asthma attack is not always clear but can be diagnosed using a peak flow metter, spirometry test, chest x-ray or allergy skin tests. However, there are several triggers that have been identified which can result in a flare up of symptoms. The most common triggers are: Infections such as colds and flu Irritants such as dust, pets, cigarette smoke and fumes Chemicals (and other substances) found in the workplace - this is called occupational asthma Allergies to pollen, medicines, animals, house dust mites or certain foods Exercise - especially in cold, dry air Emotions - laughing or crying very hard can trigger symptoms, as can stress Women are more likely to have asthma than men. Asthma often runs in families and you can inherit the tendency to get inflamed airways. Life Insurance - Treatment of Asthma  Asthma treatments, along with removing triggers, aim to restore normal activities of daily living by reducing the frequency, severity and length of asthma attacks. Inhalers (sometimes called "puffers") contain a gas that propels the correct dose of medicine either when the top is pressed down or on inhalation (some inhalers may be dry powder inhalers). This is inhaled into the airways. There are 2 basic categories of inhaler medicines that are used for astma : Relievers - to treat your symptoms. Preventers - to help prevent your symptoms & are usually a blue or green colour. Short-acting relievers (known as bronchodilators) contain medicines such as salbutamol (eg Ventolin) and terbutaline (Bricanyl) that work to widen airways & ease symptoms. Preventers are used to help prevent symptoms, and are usually a brown, orange or red colour. Preventers usually contain a steroid medicine, such as beclometasone (eg Qvar) or fluticasone (eg Flixotide) that work to reduce the inflammation of airways. A GP may also prescribe a course of steroid tablets, such as prednisolone if asthma symptoms are worse; Nebulisers make a mist of water and are an asthma medicine that you breathe in. Stopping smoking or losing weight is good for your health and may well improve your asthma symptoms. With good management and appropriate treatment, most people with asthma lead completely normal lives.  Asthma Problems & Life Assurance Underwriting  In order to check the severity of your Asthma, Insurers will ask you various questions and if severe are likely to request a GP or Medical Report. Note non-disclosure of your actual true Asthma control, may make any plan claim void & the insurer is not obliged on death or illness for the life insurance payout or to refund any premiums paid if this was deliberately not disclosed.  What do Uk Life Insurance Companies look for - when Underwriting a History of Asthma ? It would depend on the severity of your Asthma. For Life & Critical lllness Cover most insurers would view each case on an individual basis before making a decision. However the likely decision for cover is normal rates if asthma is under control to maybe a substantial premium rating if not. Note that decisions may vary quite dramatically between insurers so please contact us for help & advice. History - How long have you had Asthma problems & how does this affect you day to day? What are you historic Asthma readings. Medical Records - What do your medical records say about you?  Have you developed medical problems as a result of Asthma eg; taken into hospital, collapsed etc; ?  If you have already developed associated problems as a result of Asthma, many companies may probably rate your premiums or in the worst decline the case.   Treatment - What type of Asthma medication do you take - is it under control now ? Family History - Do you parents or brothers or sisters have a history of Asthma also? For help with Asthma issues why not visit  www.asthma.org.uk or www.lunguk.org * ( * Note: You are now leaving the regulated site of Uk Life Insurance Quotes. Neither ourselves, nor Sesame Ltd, is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within the linked site.)  Have Asthma & looking in 2012 to compare Life Insurance products against other Uk Insurers - including Life cover, decreasing (mortgage protection) or level term life insurance, Life with Critical Illness and Income Protection.  > Need a Competitive Life or Critical Illness Insurance Quote ? FOR PROTECTION PRODUCTS WE USUALLY OFFER FROM A LIMITED PANEL OF PROVIDERS For products with an investment element we will introduce you to an authorised adviser