Do you suffer from asthma?
Over a million asthma sufferers might not actually have the condition and taking medication that is not required by their bodies.
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice) has revealed that about a third of adults have no signs of asthma and may be putting themselves at harm from taking the treatments.
New guidelines have been drafted and could come into force by the summer.
These will require doctors to conduct more tests to reinforce their judgement and stop the wrong diagnosis of labelling someone as asthmatic when they are not.
Prof Mark Baker, director of clinical practice at NICE, told the BBC: "Accurate diagnosis of asthma has been a significant problem which means that people may be wrongly diagnosed or cases might be missed in others.
"Our aim with this guideline is to give clarity and set out the most clinical and cost-effective ways to diagnose and monitor asthma based on the best available evidence."
The new guidelines state: “Diagnosis is principally based on a thorough history taken by an experienced clinician.
“It is therefore not surprising that studies of adults diagnosed with asthma suggest that up to 30 per cent do not have clear evidence of asthma.”
Charities say that on the opposite end of the spectrum asthma is a growing concern given the under diagnosis and under treatment that also occurs.
Three people die every day due to asthma and according to Asthma UK, most of these deaths could have been avoided if there was more control over the disease.
Kay Boycott, Chief Executive at Asthma UK says: "Asthma has many complex causes which is one of the reasons why it is sometimes difficult to get a definitive diagnosis.
"It is also a highly variable condition that can change throughout someone's life or even week by week, meaning treatment can change over time.
"For anyone with an asthma diagnosis, it is vital they have the right medication and a plan to better manage their condition and any asthma attacks."
The most effective test to begin with his the spirometry- which measures the quantity and speed a patient breathes out- along with other breath tests- this is a good way to start.
The concern regarding overtreatment is justified because some of the side effects are severe, such as muscle cramps, throat infections, tremors, vomiting and nausea.
According to Asthma UK, eight out of ten asthma sufferers are not getting the basic care they need, so it alternates from one extreme to the other.
Asthma generally begins in childhood, however it can also develop at any age. Sufferers will feel breathless and wheezy but to what extent and the frequency of the attack depends on the individual.
Inflammation in the lungs obstructs the airflow and can be life threatening if not relieved.
There were 1,167 deaths caused my asthma in the UK in 2011 and 18 of these were children under the age of 14.
75% of admissions to hospital due to asthma attacks are avoidable and 90% of deaths are preventable.