Asthma
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a medical condition that affects the airways (the breathing tubes that carry air into our lungs). From time to time, people with asthma find it harder to breathe in and out, because the airways in their lungs become narrower – like trying to breathe through a thin straw!
Asthma is a chronic lung disease. There is no cure for asthma…but the good news is that it can usually be well controlled. Most people with asthma can stay active and have a healthy life!
Asthma symptoms can be triggered by different things for different people. Common
triggers include exercise, cigarette smoke, colds and flu, and allergens in the air (e.g. grass pollen).
Asthma management
Adults
For adults post asthma diagnosis, the next step is to work with your GP to develop a management, or “action” plan. At parkhill Medical Centre, our doctors will provide all the required information about asthma as well as all the tools for self-management, including the correct inhaler techniques. The Asthma Action Plan involves choosing a treatment to your asthma symptoms, lifestyle, risk factors and your own preference of course. Your GP will help you decide!
At certain times you may experience a flare-up of your asthma. In this instance, contact your GP at parkhill Medical Centre who will review your management plan. Your GP will prescribe asthma treatment aligned to symptoms.
For more information on asthma management plans for adults, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Children
Our doctors at Parkhill Medical center work with patients and their families to develop long term treatment plans after diagnosis. Management plans are designed to ensure the child can maintain a normal quality of life, depending on the severity and pattern of asthma.
In addition, for children already taking regular preventive treatment, adjustements to the treatment regimen may be necessary.
Your GP is always on hand to provide guidance and clinical care for any asthma management concerns.
Lung function test
A large part of asthma assessment is based on a lung function test called a Spirometry. You will need to book an appointment with a practice nurse to have this done. You can find more information on spirometry at Parkhill Medical Centre here.