ASTHMA is a serious and life-threatening condition that affects an estimated 8,000 people in Bermuda - but it is easy to keep under control.

That is the message that Liz Boden from the charity Open Airways is determined to get out on World Asthma Day next Tuesday, when free advice will be offered by trained asthma nurses at the Phoenix Stores and the Collector's Hill Apothecary.

Asthmatics and anyone who coughs, wheezes or is regularly short of breath are encouraged to go along and have their peak flow recorded. The peak flow meter measures how well the lungs are working and can help to diagnose asthma.

Open Airways is giving away 600 devices known as Able spacers, a small, plastic vessel that is used with inhalers to make sure the medicine reaches deep into the airways.

Around one in ten adults suffers from asthma in Bermuda, but the incidence of the respiratory disease is growing alarmingly and among children, it is estimated that one in five is afflicted with it.

Why asthma rates are increasing among the poplulation could be down to a variety of factors, but as Ms Boden said the trappings of affluence could be partly to blame.

"I go into the schools trying to educate the kids about asthma and it's shocking to see how many kids are asthmatic," said Ms Boden. "In one class at Devonshire Preschool, ten out of 12 children suffered from asthma.

"Studies have shown that asthma is growing, but only in affluent countries. When people are affluent, they tend to buy more cushions, carpets and curtains and all of these hold the mould and mites that can bring on asthma. And children don't have one teddy any more, they have dozens of stuffed toys.

"Lifestyles have changed. You can drive from one end of the island to the other now and not see a single child playing in a yard. Kids play inside now more than outside.

"Bermuda is only 22 miles long but it has 52,000 vehicles. We also have high humidity and that can make those exhaust emissions sit over us like a blanket."

Most asthma is triggered by an allergy to such things as pollen, mould, animals or dust mites. Stress, smoke, viral infections and mediactions can also induce the disease. It causes the airways in the lungs to become narrow and congested, and thus restricts air flow.

Apart from the environment, Ms Boden said diet had been shown to be a factor in the growth of asthma.

"Apparently it's true that the richer the country, the poorer the diet," said Ms Boden. "In the rich world, people eat TV dinners and fast food. What was interesting to me was a survey that tested the blood of pregnant women and found that low levels of anti-oxidants (found in fruit and vegetables) could contribute to the chances of children having asthma."

As an asthma sufferer herself, as well as a qualified asthma educator and instructor, Ms Boden is passionate about spreading the message that the disease is easy to control.

She founded the Open Airways charity in 1995, a year when there were 365 asthma admissions to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Last year, there were just 133 asthma admissions, a fall of 65 percent. Ms Boden believed the charity's efforts to raise awareness had been a major factor in that improvement.

"Asthma is common, it's serious, disabling and life-threatening, but it's easy to control," said Ms Boden. "That is the message I want to get to people."

Asthma sufferers were often inclined to use their blue (reliever) inhalers too often and not use their brown (prventitive) inhalers enough and advice would be given on that topic at the pharmacies on Tuesday.

The asthma nurses will be at the Phoenix Store in Hamilton from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and at the Collector's Hill Apothecary from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., as part of their activities for Bermuda Action Asthma and Allergy Week.

Pauline Girling, Phoenix Stores' head of marketing and communications, said the free asthma advice clinic would allow people who were reluctant to make an appointment with a doctor get important advice in comfortable surroundings.

"We are a community pharmacy and we are pleased to get the health message out to the public on a regular basis," said Ms Girling. "When there is a situation like the one with asthma, then this is our social responsibility."

In recent months, the Phoenix Stores have offered similar opportunities for people to get blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checks.