Asthma

When asthma isn’t well controlled, symptoms can include:

• shortness of breath – feeling like you can’t get enough air in your lungs

• coughing – this can happen more at night, and you may also cough up mucus

• wheezing when breathing out – this sounds like a whistling sound

• a tight feeling in your chest – this might happen when you’re in cold weather or when you exercise

What causes asthma isn’t fully understood, but it's thought to come down to a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

Asthma is often split into different types based on what triggers someone’s symptoms or makes them worse. 

These include:

• allergic asthma – triggered by substances in the air like pollen and mould spores

• aspirin-induced asthma – when symptoms are brought on by taking certain medications, such as aspirin

• cough-variant asthma – when a dry cough is the only symptom, without the typical wheezing or shortness of breath

• exercise-induced asthma – brought on by exercise, which can be worse when the air is cold and dry outside

• nighttime asthma – when asthma symptoms get worse at night

• steroid-resistant asthma – asthma that doesn't respond to high doses of steroid treatment

• occupational asthma – triggered by workplace irritants, like chemical fumes

Other triggers can include:

• respiratory infections, such as the flu, a cold, or a sinus infection

• acid reflux

• pregnancy hormones

• strong emotions, like stress

• smoke – from a fireplace or a cigarette

What are the risk factors for asthma?

While anyone can develop asthma at any age, you’re more at risk if you: 

• have a family history of the condition

• have another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis

• are overweight

• smoke or have been exposed to a lot of secondhand smoke

• have been exposed to exhaust fumes, other types of pollution, or chemicals used in farming, hairdressing, or manufacturing

A doctor or specialist can usually diagnose asthma based on your symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination. 

Because other lung diseases can cause some of the same symptoms as asthma, you may also need to carry out further tests, such as:

• lung function tests – to see how well your lungs are working

• allergy testing

• blood tests

There’s no way to completely prevent asthma from developing, or to stop getting flare-ups forever, but you may be able to lower your risk by:

• following your asthma action plan – such as taking any medications you’ve been prescribed and always carrying an inhaler with you

• getting vaccinated for flu and pneumonia each year

• identifying and avoiding your asthma triggers – such as pollen, mould, or cold air

• learning to recognise what the warning signs of an asthma attack are

Asthma can usually be well-managed with medication, but if left untreated, it can cause severe flare-ups that don’t get better, even after treatment. In severe cases, this can be fatal.

The best way to manage asthma is to avoid your triggers and use any medications you’ve been prescribed to keep your airways open.

Treatment options vary depending on the type of asthma you have, and how severe it is. They can include:

• having an asthma action plan – you’ll work with a specialist to come up with a plan for when to use your medicines and what to do in an emergency

• maintenance inhalers – these should be taken daily and usually contain inhaled steroids and bronchodilators to reduce inflammation and open up your airways

• a rescue inhaler – this is a fast-acting inhaler that can help during an asthma attack. It contains a bronchodilator to quickly open up your airways

• a nebuliser – it sprays a fine mist of medication through a mask on your face

• leukotriene modifiers – a daily pill to help reduce asthma symptoms and your risk of an asthma attack

• oral steroids – usually given as a short course for flare-ups to reduce inflammation quickly

• antihistamines – like cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, or other allergy medications, if you have allergic asthma

• biologic therapy – treatments like monoclonal antibodies that can help if you have severe asthma

• bronchial thermoplasty – a procedure where a specialist uses heat to thin the muscles around your airways, but it’s only used if other treatments aren’t working

At Welbeck, our lung specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.