It’s 5 years since the UK asthma guidelines were updated. In June 2024 new draft chronic asthma guidelines were published by NICE/BTS/SIGN. Over 600 feedback responses were comments on this draft were sent to the authors for consideration before publishing the new guideline. In this first of two podcasts I’m joined by Daryl Freeman and Toby Capstick to discuss their views on the draft. See https://bit.ly/3XSGHge   Asthma Spotlight PODCAST and YOUTUBE Disclaimer: The opinions I express in these blogs, podcasts and videos are not intended as, and shall not be understood or constru ..read more

One of the biggest risks for people with asthma is in those whose asthma is not yet diagnosed. People are often being treated for symptoms, like cough or wheezing without a medical diagnosis. So despite having repeated episodes of respiratory symptoms, these episodes are simply treated as one off acute events with cough mixtures, or antibiotics or inhaler medication. As I’ve said in previous podcasts, asthma is a chronic ongoing disease requiring ongoing treatment to prevent attacks, and is NOT an acute one off disease and in this podcast I’ll share my thoughts and reasons why I think thi ..read more

Severe asthma causes misery for many people, it is underdiagnosed and yet it contributes significantly to poor outcomes due to asthma and is very costly for health care providers. About 3-5% of people with asthma have severe asthma and if suspected or confirmed should be cared for by asthma specialists. In this interview with DR Hitasha Rupani, you will understand a lot about this type of asthma irrewspective if you are a sufferer or a health care professional. The information could save someone's life. Asthma Spotlight PODCAST and YOUTUBE Disclaimer: The opinions I express in these ..read more

Many colleagues have asked for an explanation on Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) for asthma. Ther is a considerable body of exidence supporting the use of Anti-inflammatory Reliever (AIR) therapy for asthma which is more effective and safer than the use of separate inhalers prescribed for relief and prevention opf asthma. There are two forms of AIR therapy authorised by regulators and these are MART for those with moderate to severe asthma and also 'as needed AIR instea=d of Short-acting bronchodilators (SABAs) for relief of symptoms in people wiyh mild asthma. This podcast explains th ..read more

Asthma management in primary care in the UK has reached a stage where patients and doctors are at grave risk. The problem being that a large proportion of asthma care is being delegated inappropriately to individuals (Physician and nurse associates, health care assistants, untrained nurses and pharmacists for eg) who may not be adequately trained for the roles they are being asked to perform. As a result of political pressure to generate data to give appearances that patients are accessing care (through directing them to pharmacies, care hubs, and individuals within primary care), without adeq ..read more

This is the first in a series of discussions to help primary care eradicate asthma attacks and preventable asthma deaths. Following the recent inquest report on a potentially preventable death due to asthma in a 10 year old boy, I am continuing with my attempt to encourage general practices to accept that this is the last straw. Too many potentially preventable asthma deaths continue to be reported in the UK and GPs have the ability to end this appalling, tragic situation. Please see my web description of the 7 Step Plan to eradicate asthma attacks at : https://bigcatdoc.com/2024/01/10/2024-id ..read more

An asthma attack is a significant event because it is preventable and can cause harm, even death. So Generakl practitioners should see evry asthma attack in patients as a signal that treatment has failed and make every effiort to identify potentially modifiable risk factors (like excess SABA, insufficient preventer, poor adherence, poor inhaler technique and take action to fix the problem. A simple 7-step plan provides a practical method to end asthma attacks in patients. Please see https://bigcatdoc.com/2024/01/10/2024-identify-that-an-asthma-attack-is-a-red-flag/ for an explanation and for a ..read more

Asthma attacks and preventable deaths can be reduced by recognising and dealing with modifiable risk factors. Common risk factors for asthma attacks include: excess prescriptions and use of reliever inhalers; insufficient or no prescription of inhaled corticosteroid preventer inhalers; poor inhaler technique; exposure to triggers like non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; smoking (including vaping). I have suggested a 7-step plan to reduce preventable asthma attacks and deaths. Please also see my talk on Youtube at https://youtu.be/wlJ0a7_qgPI see also my blog on this topic at https://bit.ly ..read more

Asthma deaths in children are tragic and in most cases potentially avoidable. This podcast was prompted by the recent coroners report and regulation 28 statement aimed at preventing future deaths, available at - https://bit.ly/3tDVr6h . All doctors and nurses, pharmacists, health care assistants and managers responsible for caring for children - all children - because asthma is the commonest chronic childhood illness should listen to this story and share it with colleagues. Parents and people with asthma will also find this information useful. There is an urgent need to end complacency about a ..read more

There are lots of causes of asthma attacks. The common cold virus, the Rhinovirus is one of the commonest causes. The key to avoiding asthma attacks is to ensi=ure good control of underlying inflammation - by taking preventer medication as prescribed by your doctor! Ive used Dr Stan Szeffler's use of a volcanic eruption to describe what happens in an asthma attack - where there ios underlying poor control with increased inflammation and then a virus comes along and adds to the inflammation with increased inflammation, increased twitchiness and narrowing of the airways all combining into a an ..read more