BTEC Level 3 Health and social care
Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
[Insert name]
Learning aim C
Asthma
P3
Inhalers
One treatment (medication) available for patients with asthma is inhalers. There are two
main types of asthma inhalers which are reliever inhaler and preventer inhaler but there are
other types of inhalers are dry powder, soft mist, nebuliser and metered dose. Reliever
inhaler is a device that contains a medicine called bronchodilators that go directly to your
lungs and it relaxes the muscles in the airways or in the muscles. The reliever inhaler would
take effect usually within “within 20 minutes” (West Suffolk Hospital, 2023) and
approximately the effects would last “three to five hours” (West Suffolk Hospital, 2023).
When a patient that has asthma uses a reliever inhaler, they would notice that they are able
to breathe better and the symptoms that they have been experiencing as a result of asthma
complications have reduced. For example, before going to bed, a patient with asthma would
use a reliever inhaler to reduce wheezing and coughing during the night. Whereas, a
preventer inhaler is also a device that contains corticosteroids and helps to prevent and
“reduces swelling and inflammation in your airways.” (Asthma + Lung UK, 2024). This steroid
medicine should only be taken at a low dose. According to CarePlus Chemist (accessed on
17/03/24) if someone who has respiratory problems such asthma then they “can prescribe
certain inhalers to patients that have previously prescribed these, if they have ran out and
are in need.” in Southport. In general, inhalers are available in the United Kingdom.
However, you need to get a prescription if you have asthma to get an inhaler. To get a
prescribed inhaler you need to (accessed on 17/03/25) “consult doctor such as your regular
GP, especially if you’ve not previously been prescribed one.” (E Surgery). For example,
Southport Hospital and The Corner Surgery offer steroid inhalers for people who are
inpatients.
Theophylline
Another form of medication used for patients with asthma is theophylline. Theophylline is a
type of medication where it is called a bronchodilator. Also it is a tablet where you can treat
asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It works by opening the airways to the
lungs so that it can be easier to breathe and relaxes the muscles. Besides theophylline
helping the airways to open, this treatment may help reduce inflammation in the lungs as it
has anti-inflammation properties. Not to mention that some premature babies commonly
have apnea, which is when an individual doesn’t breath for a short period of time. This
treatment can help to improve how their lungs function as they are more likely to breathe for
a longer period of time. The effects of theophylline can last a lot longer than other treatments
for asthma which makes it convenient for asthma patients who have severe respiratory
issues. For example, depending on which brand you purchase for theophylline, Theo 24, you
can dose it once or twice a day but you need to consult a GP to know the correct
consumption. One of the most beneficial aspects of this treatment is that you can use it
alongside other medications therapies (bronchodilators or corticosteroids) such as beta-2
agonists, anticholinergics and methylprednisolone. According to NIH (accessed on 18/11/24)
, BTEC Level 3 Health and social care
Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
[Insert name]
says that “Several studies have demonstrated that adding low dose theophylline to inhaled
corticosteroids in patients who are not controlled gives better asthma control than doubling
the dose of inhaled corticosteroids. This has been demonstrated in patients with moderate to
severe and mild asthma.”
Omalizumab injections
A type of medication for patients with asthma is omalizumab injections. Omalizumab is a
special type of medicine made from human antibodies. It targets a protein called
immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE helps release substances that cause inflammation from certain
cells during allergic and inflammatory responses. By attaching to IgE and stopping it from
working, omalizumab lowers the amount of free IgE in the body and keeps IgE from
connecting with its targets on immune cells. This treatment stops IgE from attaching to the
two receptors in the body which are FcεRI (high-affinity and low-affinity receptors also known
as CD23) and which means that if a person is allergic to something then it would be effective
to stop inflammation in the lungs. Moreover, omalizumab injections can reduce the need to
take oral medications such as corticosteroids, this can be beneficial for those individuals with
asthma who are unable to take liquid form medications. However, there are some side
effects of using this medication which are inflammation or redness or itchiness in the area of
your body where you have injected omalizumab and a high risk of anaphylaxis. Although, it
is very unlikely that the side effects associated with this treatment can be a serious problem
in the future and therefore making this a suitable treatment for individuals with asthma that
are allergic to certain things.
Bronchial thermoplasty
One treatment (surgery) available for patients with asthma is bronchial thermoplasty.
Bronchial means the large airways of the lungs which is also part of the respiratory system.
Bronchial thermoplasty uses heat to reduce extra muscle around the airways. A heated tool
is attached to the end of a thin, bendable tube called a catheter. The catheter is put into your
lungs. When the extra muscle is removed, your lungs have more space to expand, making it
easier for you to breathe. Bronchial thermoplasty is performed with local anaesthesia. This
means you'll be awake but won't feel anything during the procedure. Bronchial thermoplasty
is important for a couple of reasons. One reason why bronchial thermoplasty is important is
because it can be beneficial for those who have severe asthma that have symptoms that
cannot be alleviated by simply dosing medications. Another reason why this treatment is
important is because when reducing muscle tension in the lungs, there would be less
asthma attacks experienced. As a result of this, an individual would be more reliant on
physical exercise than dosing medications. Therefore, having a better control of asthma.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
One treatment (rehabilitation) available for patients with asthma is pulmonary rehabilitation.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that helps people with lung problems who have trouble
breathing. It combines exercise and education to improve their condition. Before starting this
type of rehabilitation a healthcare professional would conduct an assessment based on
medical history and physical examination to see if a patient’s asthma condition is severe or
not. Then, there would be group or singular sessions where it consists of exercise,
education, breathing retraining, chest physiotherapy, airway clearance, mental health
Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
[Insert name]
Learning aim C
Asthma
P3
Inhalers
One treatment (medication) available for patients with asthma is inhalers. There are two
main types of asthma inhalers which are reliever inhaler and preventer inhaler but there are
other types of inhalers are dry powder, soft mist, nebuliser and metered dose. Reliever
inhaler is a device that contains a medicine called bronchodilators that go directly to your
lungs and it relaxes the muscles in the airways or in the muscles. The reliever inhaler would
take effect usually within “within 20 minutes” (West Suffolk Hospital, 2023) and
approximately the effects would last “three to five hours” (West Suffolk Hospital, 2023).
When a patient that has asthma uses a reliever inhaler, they would notice that they are able
to breathe better and the symptoms that they have been experiencing as a result of asthma
complications have reduced. For example, before going to bed, a patient with asthma would
use a reliever inhaler to reduce wheezing and coughing during the night. Whereas, a
preventer inhaler is also a device that contains corticosteroids and helps to prevent and
“reduces swelling and inflammation in your airways.” (Asthma + Lung UK, 2024). This steroid
medicine should only be taken at a low dose. According to CarePlus Chemist (accessed on
17/03/24) if someone who has respiratory problems such asthma then they “can prescribe
certain inhalers to patients that have previously prescribed these, if they have ran out and
are in need.” in Southport. In general, inhalers are available in the United Kingdom.
However, you need to get a prescription if you have asthma to get an inhaler. To get a
prescribed inhaler you need to (accessed on 17/03/25) “consult doctor such as your regular
GP, especially if you’ve not previously been prescribed one.” (E Surgery). For example,
Southport Hospital and The Corner Surgery offer steroid inhalers for people who are
inpatients.
Theophylline
Another form of medication used for patients with asthma is theophylline. Theophylline is a
type of medication where it is called a bronchodilator. Also it is a tablet where you can treat
asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It works by opening the airways to the
lungs so that it can be easier to breathe and relaxes the muscles. Besides theophylline
helping the airways to open, this treatment may help reduce inflammation in the lungs as it
has anti-inflammation properties. Not to mention that some premature babies commonly
have apnea, which is when an individual doesn’t breath for a short period of time. This
treatment can help to improve how their lungs function as they are more likely to breathe for
a longer period of time. The effects of theophylline can last a lot longer than other treatments
for asthma which makes it convenient for asthma patients who have severe respiratory
issues. For example, depending on which brand you purchase for theophylline, Theo 24, you
can dose it once or twice a day but you need to consult a GP to know the correct
consumption. One of the most beneficial aspects of this treatment is that you can use it
alongside other medications therapies (bronchodilators or corticosteroids) such as beta-2
agonists, anticholinergics and methylprednisolone. According to NIH (accessed on 18/11/24)
, BTEC Level 3 Health and social care
Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
[Insert name]
says that “Several studies have demonstrated that adding low dose theophylline to inhaled
corticosteroids in patients who are not controlled gives better asthma control than doubling
the dose of inhaled corticosteroids. This has been demonstrated in patients with moderate to
severe and mild asthma.”
Omalizumab injections
A type of medication for patients with asthma is omalizumab injections. Omalizumab is a
special type of medicine made from human antibodies. It targets a protein called
immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE helps release substances that cause inflammation from certain
cells during allergic and inflammatory responses. By attaching to IgE and stopping it from
working, omalizumab lowers the amount of free IgE in the body and keeps IgE from
connecting with its targets on immune cells. This treatment stops IgE from attaching to the
two receptors in the body which are FcεRI (high-affinity and low-affinity receptors also known
as CD23) and which means that if a person is allergic to something then it would be effective
to stop inflammation in the lungs. Moreover, omalizumab injections can reduce the need to
take oral medications such as corticosteroids, this can be beneficial for those individuals with
asthma who are unable to take liquid form medications. However, there are some side
effects of using this medication which are inflammation or redness or itchiness in the area of
your body where you have injected omalizumab and a high risk of anaphylaxis. Although, it
is very unlikely that the side effects associated with this treatment can be a serious problem
in the future and therefore making this a suitable treatment for individuals with asthma that
are allergic to certain things.
Bronchial thermoplasty
One treatment (surgery) available for patients with asthma is bronchial thermoplasty.
Bronchial means the large airways of the lungs which is also part of the respiratory system.
Bronchial thermoplasty uses heat to reduce extra muscle around the airways. A heated tool
is attached to the end of a thin, bendable tube called a catheter. The catheter is put into your
lungs. When the extra muscle is removed, your lungs have more space to expand, making it
easier for you to breathe. Bronchial thermoplasty is performed with local anaesthesia. This
means you'll be awake but won't feel anything during the procedure. Bronchial thermoplasty
is important for a couple of reasons. One reason why bronchial thermoplasty is important is
because it can be beneficial for those who have severe asthma that have symptoms that
cannot be alleviated by simply dosing medications. Another reason why this treatment is
important is because when reducing muscle tension in the lungs, there would be less
asthma attacks experienced. As a result of this, an individual would be more reliant on
physical exercise than dosing medications. Therefore, having a better control of asthma.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
One treatment (rehabilitation) available for patients with asthma is pulmonary rehabilitation.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that helps people with lung problems who have trouble
breathing. It combines exercise and education to improve their condition. Before starting this
type of rehabilitation a healthcare professional would conduct an assessment based on
medical history and physical examination to see if a patient’s asthma condition is severe or
not. Then, there would be group or singular sessions where it consists of exercise,
education, breathing retraining, chest physiotherapy, airway clearance, mental health
