Overview
Asthma is chronic airway inflammation with variable narrowing, producing wheeze, cough and breathlessness. Inflammation persists even when you feel well, which is why preventer treatment matters more than reliever use.
Modern guidance favours inhaled corticosteroid-containing treatment for every patient rather than reliever-only strategies, because relying on a blue inhaler alone increases the risk of severe attacks.
When to seek urgent medical help
- • Struggling to speak in full sentences, blue lips or a reliever that is not working - call emergency services
- • Using more than one reliever inhaler a month
- • Increasing night symptoms or a fall in peak flow readings
Symptoms and signs
- Wheeze, particularly on breathing out
- Cough that is worse at night or early morning
- Chest tightness or breathlessness
- Symptoms triggered by exercise, cold air, pets, pollen or infection
- Needing a reliever inhaler more than twice a week
- Waking at night because of asthma symptoms
Management and treatment
Treatment is stepped: a preventer inhaler daily, adding a long-acting bronchodilator if control is inadequate, with a written personal asthma action plan for deterioration. Inhaler technique and adherence explain most poor control.
Your ChatDoc doctor assesses control using validated questions, reviews technique and triggers, prescribes the appropriate inhaler and provides a written action plan. Anyone with acute breathlessness needs face-to-face care.
Prescription treatment options
Inhaled corticosteroid preventer
Daily anti-inflammatory treatment that is the foundation of asthma control.
Combination ICS/formoterol inhaler
Preventer plus fast-acting reliever in one device, used as maintenance and reliever therapy.
Add-on therapy
Montelukast or long-acting muscarinic antagonists when symptoms persist.
Action plan and technique review
Written plan for worsening symptoms plus spacer and technique optimisation.
Any prescription is issued only after a doctor has reviewed your case and considers the treatment safe and appropriate for you.
Your online Asthma assessment
- 1
Tell us about your concern
Share symptoms, past treatments, medicines and relevant health information.
- 2
Upload clear photos
Upload photos of your concern where applicable.
- 3
Doctor reviews your case
Technology helps organise your answers, but every assessment and prescription decision is made by a doctor, who may message you if they need more information.
- 4
Get your personalised plan
A personalised prescription is issued if treatment is clinically appropriate.
Prognosis and outlook
With correct preventer use, most people become symptom-free within 4-8 weeks and maintain normal activity and exercise.
Asthma is a long-term condition requiring at least annual review, but well-controlled asthma carries minimal impact on daily life.
Complete care. One simple price.
£24.99
Includes clinician review, live doctor chat & prescription
One payment. No subscription. Any prescription depends on clinical suitability.
Start your consultationOther conditions we treat
This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Always seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. ChatDoc is not an emergency service. Call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) for life-threatening emergencies or 111 for urgent non-emergency help. Do not wait for an online reply.