Respiratory Disorders
A cough that has outstayed three weeks, or breathlessness that has crept up over a year, deserves more than another cough syrup. Lung function is measured rather than estimated, which is what separates asthma from COPD and both from a heart problem.
- Spirometry rather than guesswork
- Chest X-ray with same-day reporting
- Inhaler technique checked every visit
- Referral to pulmonology where needed
Stay
Outpatient, or admission if severe
Duration
Assessment in one visit
Anaesthesia
Not applicable
About Respiratory Disorders
Breathlessness is treated badly when treated on impression. Measuring lung function distinguishes asthma from COPD, which changes the treatment entirely. A cough lasting beyond three weeks needs a chest X-ray, because that is the point at which the ordinary explanations run out. Most treatment failure comes from inhaler technique rather than the drug.
- Asthma and COPD need different treatment and look similar
- Three weeks is the point at which a cough needs investigating
- Most inhaler failure is technique, not the medication
- Breathlessness is sometimes cardiac rather than respiratory
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about respiratory disorders. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest respiratory disorders.
- Cough lasting more than three weeks
- Breathlessness on exertion that is getting worse
- Wheeze or chest tightness
- Recurrent chest infections
- Known asthma or COPD needing review
- Smokers with any respiratory symptom
- Breathlessness waking you at night
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
History and examination
The pattern of symptoms, triggers, smoking history and occupation, followed by chest examination.
Measuring lung function
Spirometry measures how much and how fast you can breathe out, which distinguishes the main conditions.
Imaging and tests
A chest X-ray where the cough is persistent, with blood tests and an ECG if a cardiac cause is possible.
Treatment and technique
Inhalers prescribed with technique demonstrated and checked, since that is where most treatment fails.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Bring every inhaler you use, including ones you have stopped
- Note what triggers symptoms and what time of day they are worst
- Bring previous chest X-rays and lung function reports
- Note your smoking history in pack-years if you can
- Do not use a reliever inhaler in the hour before spirometry unless you need it
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Inhalers take days to weeks to reach full effect for preventer medication
- Technique is the single most common reason treatment appears not to work
- A cough after a chest infection can persist for several weeks and is not failure
- Stopping smoking does more than any medication for COPD
- Follow-up is arranged to confirm the treatment is working
Why choose Humayun for respiratory problems
Breathlessness is treated badly when it is treated on impression rather than measurement.
- Spirometry at diagnosis, so asthma and COPD are distinguished rather than guessed
- Inhaler technique checked at every visit, because most treatment failure is technique
- A persistent cough investigated, since three weeks is when it stops being ordinary
- Cardiology in the same hospital when breathlessness turns out to be cardiac
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