Author Archives: Jackie Aim

Pneumococcal vaccine – what is it?

Nurse listening to teenager's chest with a stethoscope

The pneumococcal bug or virus is found at the back of the nose and throat of healthy adults and children. It is passed on from person to person through close contact.

Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe the range of illnesses including pneumonia but also the more serious condition of septicaemia (blood poisoning). Patients with COPD have been found to be at higher risk of developing pneumonia and complications from this.

Research shows that the pneumococcal vaccine gives protection to patients with COPD.

Influenza vaccine – how it’s given

A doctor giving a young man a vaccination injection in the upper arm.

The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine so it cannot give you flu.
The vaccine will not cause an exacerbation or flare up of your symptoms.
It is given annually by injection to the upper outer area of the arm and it takes only seconds. The injection itself is not painful.
Possible side effects include pain, swelling and redness at the injection site, also occasionally slight fever, shivering, headache and aching muscles.
These symptoms usually disappear within one to two days without any treatment.

Influenza vaccine – what is it?

Influenza is an acute, feverish viral illness that more commonly occurs during the winter months.

It is very important that you have your flu vaccination every year. The influenza vaccine has to be given annually as strains of the flu virus change and new vaccines are developed to give you immunity to the most common strains each year.

The flu vaccine has been proven to reduce exacerbations of COPD and it is very effective in protecting you from risk of severe illness or possible hospital admission.

Your GP surgery will offer the vaccine from October to March. If you are unwell the vaccine may be withheld so try to attend for your vaccination early to avoid winter infections.

Vaccines for patients with COPD

Flu and pneumoccal vaccines

Exacerbations or flare ups of COPD are mainly caused by respiratory viruses and bacteria which lead to increased inflammation and chest infections.

The two vaccinations recommended for patients with COPD are:

Influenza (flu) vaccine.
Pneumococcal vaccine.

Research has shown that vaccination can reduce the number of exacerbations of the disease and reduce hospital admissions.

What to expect from an asthma review?

The nurse/doctor will ask you about your symptoms, what triggers them and what helps relieve or reduce them. They will discuss your treatment plan and agree what actions you should take if your asthma gets worse. You should be given a personal action plan and sometimes a ‘stand by’ course of tablets to take if this happens.

The asthma review is an opportunity to discuss how you are coping and how you look after yourself and manage your asthma Things like coping with stress, keeping fit and healthy, stopping smoking, identifying and avoiding your asthma triggers will help you to mange your asthma at home.

It is sometimes a good idea to take a family member or friend along to your asthma review for support and to help you remember all that is discussed.

Asthma review with your GP

preview Description: A mature female patient consulting a GP in the surgery consulting room.

The aim of an asthma review is to find out how you are getting on, tailor your treatment to your asthma symptoms and support you looking after yourself and managing your asthma.

Make sure you ask any questions you may have about your asthma. Sometimes it is helpful to make some notes in advance about things that are bothering or concerning you.

Take all your inhalers to your review so you can check that you are using them correctly.

Take along your personal action plan if you have been given one.

What can you expect after diagnosis?

Your healthcare professional should explain to you what the term ‘asthma’ means for you, as well as giving some written information or refer you to additional information like on line resources.
You will probably start on some treatment depending on the severity of your symptoms and shown how to use your inhalers correctly.
You will be invited back for regular ‘review’ by your healthcare team.
You should not be afraid to ask any questions at this ‘review’.
If your asthma is causing difficulties with your day to day activities or affecting your finances, your asthma nurse can help by making a referral for equipment, to social services or possibly a benefits review.

Confirming a diagnosis

From the information that you’ve given, the breathing tests and how you respond to any treatment, your healthcare professional will be able to confirm if you have asthma. It is like putting together pieces of a jigsaw to make the full picture.

The majority of people are treated by their GP (as shown in the blue section on the diagram opposite).
People who are having difficulty controlling their asthma may be referred for further testing in hospital as an outpatient (as shown in the pink section on the diagram opposite).
Fewer people need more detailed hospital tests for their asthma (as shown in the yellow section on the diagram opposite).

Frequently asked questions

Q. Isn’t asthma something bairns get? Why have I got it now?

Asthma can affect people at any age although it more commonly starts in childhood.
Adults might have asthma as a child, then it appears to ‘go away’ and reoccurs later in life.
It is not known why some people get asthma for the first time when they are older.
Sometimes it is triggered by sensitivity to certain medicines or by allergies.
It is thought than many more older people have asthma than have been diagnosed as it may be mistaken for other conditions.

Q. Going up the stairs makes me breathless. Should I stop doing physical activity?

You should keep as active as possible. It is important for your general health and for your lungs.
The treatments that you have been given should help your asthma symptoms when you exert yourself. Make sure you use your ‘reliever’ (often your blue) inhaler before and, if needed, during any activity that brings on your asthma symptoms.
You may need to pace yourself and take rests/breaks when you need to do so. You may find that being outside in cold air, for example, is harder than doing an activity indoors. Find out what exercise or activity suits you best and also what you enjoy and try to do this regularly when you are feeling well enough.
However, if you have another condition like a heart condition, arthritis or COPD too you may need further advice before exercising. Ask your doctor or nurse.

Q. What about all these inhalers? I’m worried I won’t manage to use them properly

There are many different types of inhalers and your healthcare professional will help you find one that you can manage and show you how to use it properly. See the section on A practical guide to Inhalers for more information.
Some inhalers are better for people who find it difficult to manage fiddly things, due to conditions like arthritis or poor eyesight.
Some inhalers are better if you find it hard to breathe in deeply and then hold your breath in for a short while. A spacer with a standard aerosol inhaler is good for this, and for using when you need several puffs of reliever during an asthma attack or flare-up. Ask your doctor or nurse about having one of these ‘spacers’.
Very few people need to use a nebuliser at home.

Q. Is asthma dangerous? Will I have an asthma attack?

Asthma can be dangerous but if it is treated properly it reduces the chance of an asthma attack. Asthma varies from person to person. Some people have never had an asthma attack, but it is important that you get clear advice on how to recognise that your asthma is getting worse and what to do during an asthma attack, in case it happens to you.

Talk to your doctor or nurse about a personal action plan. Everyone with asthma should have one that is regularly reviewed. This tells you what symptoms to look out for, how to increase your inhalers, and when and whom to contact for advice during surgery opening hours and when your surgery is closed.

Make sure you discuss any concerns so you can be prepared for any change in your asthma

Q. Will I get worse?

Treatments for asthma are available to control your symptoms and prevent you getting worse. The aims of your treatment is to keep you as free from symptoms and flare-ups as possible. Take your treatment as prescribed and use your inhalers correctly.
Things that trigger your asthma, especially smoking, will make you worse. Try to avoid these ‘triggers’ if possible. Stress, anxiety and depression can trigger asthma too. You can get help in managing these things visit Moodcafe by NHS Fife. Steps for Stress a website from the Scottish Government.
Gaining weight can make you feel more breathless and make your asthma worse. Likewise, losing weight and being more active can help improve your symptoms.
Some medicines can make your asthma worse. Make sure you tell your pharmacist you have asthma if you are buying medicines.
Try to avoid chest infections, colds and flu. Get your flu jag!

Q. I’ve been told I’ve got chronic asthma? What’s this and will it get worse?

‘Chronic’ means your condition is longstanding and won’t go away. It doesn’t always mean your condition is ‘bad’ but it is a label sometimes given to asthma when your breathing tubes are permanently tighter than normal for your age, especially when you have had asthma for many years. It might mean you will always be out of breath doing some activities, and your ‘chronic asthma’ may cause some limitations even when you follow your treatment plan carefully.

Follow the advice in the Causes of Asthma section to avoid triggers especially smoking and chest infections, and keep as active as you are able.

Q. Due to my illnesses I can’t manage to leave the house and get to the surgery for my asthma review. What can I do?

Everybody with asthma should have the opportunity to have an asthma review at least once a year.
Ask for plenty of notice when your review is due so you can try to make arrangements for a relative or friend to take you there. Make sure you take your inhalers and use your action plan.
If you are unable to go to the surgery, let your doctor/nurse know.
Ask if there is the possibility of a ‘home visit’ to review your asthma. Some surgeries offer this service.
If you can’t have a face to face review, ask if you can discuss your asthma over the phone.

Q. What can I do to help myself?

A diagnosis of asthma can be distressing and quite a shock. Find out as much information about your condition and how it is treated.

Make sure you know how to use your inhalers properly. See the section on A practical guide to Inhalers for more information.
Make sure you know how to recognise if your asthma is getting worse and what to do.
Think about your ‘triggers’ and which ones you can avoid. See the section on Causes of asthma for more information.
Use your ‘asthma review’ to discuss your concerns and ask questions.
Make sure you avoid smoking, have a flu jag annually and also a jag to prevent pneumonia (Pneumovax). See the section on Vaccinations for adults with asthma for more information.
Keep as healthy as possible.
Think about joining a local support group such as Breathe Easy

Q. My asthma has been stable for 6 months is it possible to reduce my medication?

A. Always check with your GP before changing medication. It may be possible to reduce the amount of the medication you take if your asthma is well controlled.

You should always continue to use your preventer inhalers.