An asthma charity has launched an online survey to help to improve services to sufferers.

A spokeswoman for Open Airways said that the group was “trying to better understand the perceptions of asthma control in Bermuda to ensure we are providing the best service”.

She added: “So many people feel their asthma is well controlled — yet they continue to cough, wheeze and have shortness of breath — they wake at night coughing and they use their reliever inhaler far too much.

“Others feel their asthma is well controlled as they have only been to emergency once in the past year.

“People with asthma become used to these symptoms and think this is what you have to put up with when you have asthma.”

The spokeswoman said there was no cure for asthma but that “Bermudians living with asthma can live an active and symptom-free life”.

Open Airways said that asthma was the No 1 cause behind visits to the emergency department in Bermuda.

A spokeswoman said: “In 2018, 1,535 people visited the emergency room — over four people, on average, per day.

“While this number is slowly reducing, we still have too many people in Bermuda who are living a less-than-optimal life.”

The organisation said that about 8,000 people in Bermuda were affected by asthma — one in ten adults, and one in five children.

Open Airways wants all Bermudians with asthma to be able to enjoy a life without breathing difficulties, sleepless nights, missed school or work, or emergency visits to the hospital.

The survey, which takes three minutes to complete, is at openairways.com.