Gearing up for spring
Our in-house GP, Dr Andy, tells us about some of the main issues he’s been seeing in his clinic recently, and some top tips for improving your lung health as we move into spring.
We’re starting to come out of winter and the days are getting longer. The festive season is a distant memory and shops are already gearing up for spring, with Easter eggs on the shelves!
Winter was busy in the NHS. In GP surgeries, we saw a lot of people with chest symptoms, such as cough, breathlessness and wheeze. Our helpline was also busy, with many people worried about chest symptoms, but were finding it difficult to access their GP.
I’m finding that most of the chest symptoms I have been seeing from patients have been caused by viruses.
RSV and bronchiolitis
One of the more common viruses we face each year is called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In most cases, it causes very mild cold symptoms, however RSV is the main cause of the childhood chest infection, bronchiolitis.
Worldwide, we saw a massive drop in RSV infections and hospital admissions in 2020. The measures in place to prevent COVID-19 from spreading were also stopping the spread of RSV. This meant there was concern we would see a lot of ill children in 2021, with lockdown measures eased. To support families, we updated our information on bronchiolitis.
Feedback has been very positive and many of my own patients have felt it helped them when their child was unwell.
COVID-19
Of course, we have also been seeing a lot of COVID-19. However, because of vaccinations, many people with COVID now have a relatively mild illness.
To some degree all viruses can make us feel unwell, especially if you have a lung condition. In my practice, we have seen a lot of people who have seen their lung condition get worse as a result of catching COVID-19 or another virus.
You can read our health advice on coronavirus and living with a lung condition, including advice on COVID-19 and asthma, on our websites.
Looking after your lung health
It’s very frustrating how many times our expert helpline nurses advise people who haven’t had basic care for their asthma or other lung condition. With some simple “brilliant basics” everyone living with a long-term lung condition can stay as well as possible.
These are:
· taking your inhalers and medicines as prescribed
· checking you have the correct inhaler technique
· having a written self-management plan
· getting your flu, pneumococcal (if needed) and COVID-19 vaccinations
· knowing when and how to seek help if you’re struggling.
As well as these, I encourage regular activity to maximise general fitness and lung function, as well as giving up smoking and having a healthy diet.
Long COVID
Having COVID-19 can also lead to ongoing symptoms affecting any part of the body. When this goes on for a few weeks or months, we call it Long COVID. Fatigue, headaches and chest pains are common symptoms, and we are seeing quite a few people with persistent breathlessness or a cough after having Covid.
In response to this, we have developed resources to support people who are living with the long term effects of COVID-19. This includes My Long COVID which is an assessment tool that helps people to assess and prioritise all of their Long COVID problems.
2022, a new start
Hopefully there will be plenty to look forward to this year.
It’s never too late to make changes to help make life better. Here are some ideas for you to consider for 2022:
· Focus on doing the brilliant basics (listed above)
· Get help to cut down or stop smoking
· Eat a healthy, balanced diet
· Ask to be referred to pulmonary rehabilitation (if you feel you need it)
Join your local BLF Support Group or Singing for Lung Health Group
If you’re living with Long COVID and want to share your story to raise awareness about the condition, please email: yourstory@blf.org.uk
We empower people with asthma to make changes that can be transformative.
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