Asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. Up to 50% of chronic asthma in adults is due to allergy but there are many other triggers, such as irritants and infections.

Common symptoms include: cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheeze

Rhinitis (nasal inflammation) and asthma often co-exist and untreated rhinitis can exacerbate asthma. It is important to treat the nose and lung as a single airway in order to manage both conditions effectively. As a Respiratory Consultant, Dr Ali will provide a full assessment of your lungs when treating your rhinitis.

Dr Ali may ask you to perform breathing tests as part of your investigations for asthma. Once diagnosed, you may be prescribed a peak flow meter so that you can measure your lung performance and know when extra treatment or medical advice is necessary. An Asthma Management plan may be issued with prescription of and training in the use of Preventer (steroid) inhalers and Reliever (bronchodilator) inhalers. If you are acutely unwell, you may need a short course of oral steroid tablets at home to take in an emergency.

Dr Ali also offers injections of a biologic treatment, anti-IgE therapy (omalizumab; also known as Xolair®) for severe allergic asthma, which is not responsive to conventional treatment and where recurrent courses of steroid tablets and/or hospital admissions are occurring.