Asthmahub Event Recording – The Adult Asthma Guidelines in Wales have changed!

NHS Wales held an event to update everyone living with asthma in Wales about the changes to the Adult Asthma Guidelines
Watch the event recording now…
We had a very busy Q&A session, and did not have the opportunity to answer all the submitted questions. Here are the answers to some great questions we wanted to make available…
Question: “Is there evidence of preventer inhalers being less effective after long COVID?”
- “There is no evidence, which I am aware of, that has shown this.
- Like all viruses COVID can be the trigger which leads to someone which a predisposition to asthma to start to develop symptoms. We have also seen some patients developing breathing pattern disorder on top of their asthma after suffering with long COVID, as well as significant deconditioning due to the restriction to physical activity that can occur with some patients suffer with long COVID symptoms.
- Most important thing is to see your HCP and see what they think is driving your symptoms; is it worsening asthma or are their other factor to unpick.”
- “There is a lot of research out there about how obesity itself can link to severe/difficult asthma and worsening symptoms. I am not aware myself of any anti-inflammatory diets which have been scientifically proven to improve asthma symptoms but I would have to have a read into the research in this area to tell you more.”
- “The good thing about steroid inhalers and there is very little systemic absorption compared to the tablet form of the steroid.
- The inhalers allow us to get the steroids to where they are needed (airway) without us absorbing much in to the rest of our body system. As we mentioned in the webinar there are significant side effects to oral steroid tablets and that is why we are keen as an asthma community to make sure appropriate patients are referred through systems to severe asthma clinics to be considered for biologics if they meet the NICE criteria for this.
- Again, ask your HCP professional about this for more information.”
- “Yes the combination inhalers containing formoterol can be used in emergencies and in fact this is when they are most effective given their role in dampening down inflammation as well as opening up the airway.
- The advice is to use one puff every 1-3 minutes up to 6 puffs.
- If you do not improve you should ring for an ambulance. If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes and your symptoms are not improving you can repeat the 6 puffs. If your symptoms are no better you should contact 999 again.”
- “The asthma guidelines are a little different with more options for young children but certainly from age 12 the NICE guidelines are the same and the use of maintenance and reliever therapy with a single inhaler is recommended. The All Wales guidelines are likely to be updated soon.”
- “The recommendation is for an annual review in stable asthma but if you have poor control you will need more frequent reviews than this.
- If you have had any recent asthma attacks/exacerbations you should have your asthma medication reviewed and should have a follow up to ensure that the change in medication is working.”
- “It depends on you age, sex and height. There are charts that can be used such as the one on the following page….. Peak Flow Diary | Asthma Peak Flow Meter Readings.
- The best thing is to know what your normal is and use that to look for changes in asthma control/ associated with symptoms and to help with your asthma action plan (e.g. knowing when to seek advice and when treatment for an asthma exacerbation may be needed)”
- “Peak flow can drop as we get older. The most important thing is knowing what is good for you and aiming to keep stability.”
- “We would always recommend patients are involved in any discussions about their care including decisions around changes to medication.”
- “There are many combination inhalers and the exact excipients will vary – please speak to your pharmacist who should be able to help with your personal situation.”