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Book Appointments Easily

Getting asthma care is now simple. Book an appointment online at your convenience, and a doctor will help you manage your asthma symptoms without needing to leave home. Take the first step towards easier breathing today.

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Personalised Treatment Plans

Asthma treatment online at Mobi Doctor means tailored care just for you. Your doctor will understand your needs and create a plan that works. With personalised advice and medication, managing asthma becomes more straightforward and effective.

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Support That Works

Receive ongoing support to keep asthma under control. With asthma treatment online, you’ll have regular check-ins and expert guidance, making it easier to manage symptoms and live life confidently, no matter where you are.

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the lungs, making breathing difficult. It happens when the airways, called bronchioles, become inflamed and narrow. The muscles around these airways tighten, and mucus builds up, reducing air flow. This makes breathing hard and can trigger coughing wheezing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

 

People with asthma may experience episodes known as asthma attacks. During an attack, the inflammation in the airways worsens, making it even harder to breathe. Asthma can affect anyone, but it often starts in childhood. It’s a common condition in the UK, where around 8 million people live with asthma, which is about 12 in every 100 people.

 

Understanding what happens in the lungs is essential. Typically, air travels from the nose or mouth into the lungs, entering small passages to deliver oxygen. In asthma, these passages become blocked, making simple tasks like walking or talking feel like a struggle.

Asthma Symptoms

Asthma symptoms can vary widely, ranging from mild to severe, and may differ from person to person. Common symptoms include:

  • Coughing: Often worse at night or early in the morning

  • Wheezing: A whistling or squealing sound when you breathe

  • Shortness Of Breath: Difficulty catching your breath, especially during physical activity

  • Chest Tightness: A feeling of pressure or pain in the chest

  • Difficulty Sleeping: Caused by breathing problems, coughing, or wheezing

  • Fatigue: Feeling tired due to disrupted sleep or difficulty breathing

  • Trouble Talking: Severe breathlessness can make it hard to speak

  • Anxiety Or Panic: Caused by the struggle to breathe

  • Rapid Breathing: Breathing faster than usual

  • Frequent Chest Infections: More likely to develop respiratory illnesses

Severe Symptoms (Asthma Emergency)

  • Severe Difficulty Breathing: Gasping for air or unable to catch your breath

  • Pale Or Blue Lips Or Fingernails: A sign of low oxygen

  • Confusion Or Dizziness: Due to lack of oxygen

  • Skin Pulling Inward Around The Ribs: Straining to breathe

  • Inability To Walk Or Talk: Because of severe breathlessness

If you experience severe symptoms or your regular treatments don’t work, seek medical help immediately.

Asthma Causes

Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes asthma, but several things can increase your chances of having it:

  • Family History: If your parents or siblings have asthma or allergies, you’re more likely to have it too.

  • Allergies: Being allergic to pollen, pet hair, mold, or dust mites can raise your risk.

  • Lung Infections: Serious lung infections when you’re young, like RSV, can make asthma more likely.

Hygiene Theory: If babies aren’t exposed to enough germs early on, their immune systems might not get strong enough to handle asthma and allergies later.

What Can Trigger Asthma?

Asthma can flare up when you come into contact with specific triggers. These are some common ones:

  • Colds And Flu: Getting sick can make asthma symptoms worse.

  • Allergies: Pollen, mold, dust, and pet dander can trigger asthma.

  • Pollution And Smoke: Dirty air, cigarette smoke, or strong smells from perfumes and cleaners can make breathing difficult.

  • Exercise: Running or playing sports, especially in cold air, can cause symptoms.

  • Weather Changes: A sudden drop or rise in temperature can set off asthma.

  • Stomach Acid: Acid reflux (GERD) can make asthma worse.

  • Strong Emotions: Laughing, crying, or being stressed can trigger asthma.

  • Certain Medicines: Drugs like aspirin and some pain relievers can cause symptoms.

  • Food Additives: Chemicals in foods like dried fruits, shrimp, and pickled foods can also be a problem.

Knowing what causes and triggers asthma can help you easily manage and prevent symptoms.

Asthma Treatment

Asthma treatments aim to control symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Your doctor will make a plan based on how severe your asthma is, your age, and your triggers. Here are some common treatments:

Types Of Medications

  • Quick-Relief Medications: Also called rescue inhalers, these relax the muscles around your airways to help you breathe easier. Examples include albuterol and levalbuterol.

  • Long-Term Control Medications: You take these daily to reduce swelling in your airways. They include:

    • Inhaled Corticosteroids: Like fluticasone and budesonide, to prevent inflammation.

    • Leukotriene Modifiers: Pills like montelukast that block chemicals causing asthma attacks.

    • Long-Acting Beta-Agonists: These keep your airways open for longer. Used with inhaled steroids.

  • Combination Inhalers combine inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators, such as Symbicort and Advair.

  • Biologics: These are given as shots or infusions for severe asthma and help reduce inflammation.

Other Treatments

  • Oral Or IV Corticosteroids: Used during severe asthma attacks to reduce swelling fast.

  • Nebulizers: Machines that turn liquid medicine into a mist you breathe in through a mask.

Asthma Prevention

While you can’t stop yourself from having asthma, there are ways to prevent asthma attacks. Here are some essential tips:

  • Know Your Triggers: Learn what causes your asthma to flare up, like pollen, smoke, or strong smells, and try to avoid them.

  • Take Your Medications As Prescribed: Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking your asthma medicines, even if you feel well. Let your doctor know if you need to use your rescue inhaler more often.

  • Use A Peak Flow Meter: This device can help you track how well your lungs work and warn you if your asthma worsens.

  • Get Vaccinated: Talk to your doctor about vaccines for the flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, and other illnesses that could make your asthma worse.

  • Manage Allergens: If you’re allergic to dust or mold, try to reduce your exposure by keeping your home clean and using air filters.

  • Stay Healthy: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. This can improve your overall health and make it easier to manage asthma.

  • Quit Smoking: If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your lungs. Also, stay away from secondhand smoke.

  • Manage Stress: Practice stress-relieving activities, like deep breathing or yoga, since stress can trigger asthma symptoms.

A solid asthma action plan from your doctor will help you know exactly what to do if your symptoms worsen. Mobi Doctor can support you in managing asthma by creating a personalised action plan and offering guidance on medication and trigger avoidance. Their expert advice ensures you're well-prepared to prevent and handle asthma attacks.

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