Asthma

13 January 2025

Learn about the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of asthma from our resident private GP and discover how you can manage everyday living with this chronic condition.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the airways (bronchi) in your lungs.

These airways become sensitive and narrowed, making it difficult to breathe. This can cause symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Asthma symptoms can range from mild and infrequent to severe and life-threatening.

While there’s no cure, with proper management, most people with asthma can control their symptoms and live active lives.

The Causes of Asthma

The exact cause of asthma remains unknown, but it’s likely a combination of factors:

Genetics: Having a family history of asthma significantly increases your risk.
Allergies: Many people with asthma also have allergies, which can trigger asthma symptoms when exposed to allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold.
Environmental irritants: Smoke (including second-hand smoke), dust mites, pollution, strong chemical odours, and even cold air can trigger asthma attacks.
Respiratory infections: Colds and other respiratory infections can worsen asthma symptoms.
Exercise-induced asthma (EIA): Cold air or strenuous exercise can trigger asthma symptoms in some people, especially if they don’t warm up properly beforehand.

Risk Factors for Asthma

Anyone can develop asthma, but certain factors increase your risk:

Being overweight or obese: Obesity can worsen asthma symptoms and make it harder to breathe.
Family history: A close relative with asthma significantly increases your risk.
A history of allergies: Allergies to various substances can increase your risk of developing asthma.
Exposure to irritants: Regular exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution, or occupational chemicals can increase your risk.
Childhood respiratory infections: Having frequent respiratory infections as a child may increase your risk of developing asthma later in life.

Symptoms

Our private GP will give you a comprehensive and accurate diagnosis after evaluating your symptoms. Asthma symptoms can vary from person to person and can occur at any time, however some come common symptoms include:

Wheezing: A whistling or squeaky sound during breathing, especially when exhaling.
Coughing: A dry, hacking cough that often worsens at night or during exercise.
Chest tightness: A feeling of tightness or pressure in your chest, making it difficult to take a deep breath.
Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, feeling like you can’t get enough air.
Rapid breathing: Breathing faster than usual.
Trouble sleeping due to breathing problems: This can be a sign of uncontrolled asthma.

Diagnosing Asthma

There’s no single test to diagnose asthma. Our GP will discuss with you your symptoms, medical history, and family history. One or more of the following tests may also be performed:

Spirometry: This test measures how much air you can forcefully exhale and how quickly you can empty your lungs. It can help assess the severity of airway narrowing.
Peak flow test: This simple home test measures your peak expiratory flow (PEF), which is the maximum speed at which you can exhale air from your lungs. Tracking your PEF readings over time can help you and your doctor monitor your asthma control.
Allergy skin testing: This test can help identify allergies that may be triggering your asthma.

Living with Asthma And Taking Control

There is no cure for asthma, but the good news is that it can be effectively controlled with the right treatment plan. This typically involves two types of medications:

Preventive (controller) medications: These medications are taken daily, even when you’re feeling well, to help reduce inflammation in your airways and prevent asthma attacks. Inhaled corticosteroids are the mainstay of preventive asthma medications. Leukotriene receptor antagonists and long-acting bronchodilators may also be used in some cases.
Quick-relief (reliever) medications: These medications are used to quickly relieve asthma symptoms during an attack. Inhaled short-acting bronchodilators, like salbutamol, are the most common type of reliever medication. They work by relaxing the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.

Beyond Medication: Additional Management Strategies

Identifying and avoiding triggers: Once you know what triggers your asthma symptoms, you can take steps to avoid them. This might involve using allergy medication, avoiding second-hand smoke, or staying indoors on high-pollution days. Keeping a diary to track your activities, symptoms, and potential triggers can be helpful in identifying patterns.
Asthma action plan: Work with your doctor to develop a personalized asthma action plan. This plan should outline how to manage your asthma on a daily basis and how to respond to worsening symptoms or an asthma attack. It should include information on recognizing early warning signs, using your medications properly, and when to seek medical attention.
Flu and pneumonia vaccination: Getting an annual flu shot and pneumonia vaccination can help prevent respiratory infections that can worsen asthma. These infections can trigger asthma attacks and lead to serious complications.
Smoking cessation: If you smoke, quitting is one of the most important things you can do to improve your lung health and control your asthma. Smoking irritates the airways and worsens inflammation, making it harder to breathe and increasing the risk of asthma attacks.
Regular exercise: Regular physical activity can be beneficial for people with asthma, even though exercise can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms. However, with proper management and warm-up techniques, most people with asthma can enjoy the benefits of exercise, including improved cardiovascular health, stronger muscles, and reduced stress levels.
Weight management: If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help improve your asthma symptoms and make it easier to breathe. Excess weight can put extra strain on your lungs and make it harder to control asthma.
Healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can overall improve your asthma control and well-being. This includes eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress levels. A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides essential nutrients that support overall health and may help reduce asthma symptoms. Adequate sleep is crucial for allowing your body to rest and repair, which can help reduce inflammation and improve asthma control. Managing stress through techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation can help reduce stress hormones that can trigger asthma attacks.

Arranging To Visit A Private GP

To discuss any issues related to asthma make an appointment with one of our private GPs. Appointments are available to everyone and can often be booked for the same day. There is no need to be registered with our Buckinghamshire hospital, or live locally.

Should you have insurance which covers a GP visit, we can in most cases invoice. Where you are paying directly, the cost for a 30 minute consultation is £125.

Any additional costs will always be discussed. They could apply if you are referred for an MRI scan, or to a consultant, or for other agreed decisions to support your health.

Our Resident Private GP

Dr Chamali is welcoming and highly experienced. He offers his patients sound diagnosis and treatment, along with individual care focused on their future health.