Asthma Spotlight Dr Mark L Levy

In the United Kingdom clinically trained pharmacists with additional training in asthma have a role in helping people with asthma to manage their disease. In this podcast interview with Garry McDonald a pharmacist with expertise in asthma and other respiratory diseases, he explains how pharmacists can help. His excellent description of how to use your inhaler and his role in promoting appropriate use of asthma inhaler images by the press and other issues we discussed will be of interest to people with asthma as well as health care providers and managers both in the UK and in other countries. I have included some of the websites we discuss on my website here.
Asthma Spotlight PODCAST and YOUTUBE Disclaimer: The opinions I express in these blogs, podcasts and videos are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical, health, or professional advice of any kind. The information contained in this podcast is an educational service that provides general health information about asthma and is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. This podcast contain my own opinions. I will make every effort to broadcast correct information but listeners must realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor may have a different way of doing things from another. I am simply presenting my views on asthma that will be as evidence based as posible I do not promote any asthma medications or devices. By listening to this podcast, which is intended for people with asthma and their caregivers, you agree not to use this podcast or blog as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, and if you are a health professional, this  includes but is not limited to patients that you are treating.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog. You understand and agree that under no circumstances shall Dr Mark Levy any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast or blog.
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DISCLAIMER All Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos: This blog, video or podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast or blog.
Privacy notice Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos:  While you may give your email address to me if you send any questions to asthmaspotlight@gmail.com to be answered in future podcasts, I will never share your email address or contact information with any third parties without your explicit permission.
Advertising policy Asthma Spotlight Podcast:   The Asthma Spotlight podcast and videos may receive advertising money; Dr Mark Levy and any other presenters on Asthma Spotlight podcast do NOT endorse any of the adverts placed on the sites. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weeks podcast was prompted by some questions asked by people about their asthma - in particular about the use of corticosteroid tablets for asthma attacks. Someone with asthma should have a self management plan for flare-ups / acute attacks and importantly, in my view, should know when to use corticosteroid tablets and when to stop these. Ive discussed four questions in some detail - ie Should I have an acute asthma management plan? Should I have a course of steroid tablets to use if I have an asthma attack? How do I know when to take the steroid tablets? And how do I know when to stop the steroid tablets?
Asthma Spotlight PODCAST and YOUTUBE Disclaimer: The opinions I express in these blogs, podcasts and videos are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical, health, or professional advice of any kind. The information contained in this podcast is an educational service that provides general health information about asthma and is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. This podcast contain my own opinions. I will make every effort to broadcast correct information but listeners must realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor may have a different way of doing things from another. I am simply presenting my views on asthma that will be as evidence based as posible I do not promote any asthma medications or devices. By listening to this podcast, which is intended for people with asthma and their caregivers, you agree not to use this podcast or blog as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, and if you are a health professional, this  includes but is not limited to patients that you are treating.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog. You understand and agree that under no circumstances shall Dr Mark Levy any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast or blog.
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DISCLAIMER All Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos: This blog, video or podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast or blog.
Privacy notice Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos:  While you may give your email address to me if you send any questions to asthmaspotlight@gmail.com to be answered in future podcasts, I will never share your email address or contact information with any third parties without your explicit permission.
Advertising policy Asthma Spotlight Podcast:   The Asthma Spotlight podcast and videos may receive advertising money; Dr Mark Levy and any other presenters on Asthma Spotlight podcast do NOT endorse any of the adverts placed on the sites. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the past, asthma care in the UK was mainly delivered by hospital doctors. Since the 1980's nurse training facilitated asthma care in general practice when it was provided mainly by nurses. Originally around 80% of these nurses caring for people with asthma had extensive asthma training. However due to reduced resources funding and time for nurses to train, plus increased demand for care for a number of long term illnesses, very few nurses currently delegated to care for people with asthma have had sufficient training. So it was indeed a pleasure to interview Bev Bostock who has specialised in a number of areas including asthma. She shares her experience and insights to help practices ensure that trained personel manage asthma care nurses delegated to provide asthma care and also provides guidance for nurses, and for people with asthma to get the most out of your asthma check up / review with a nurse in your general practice.
Asthma Spotlight PODCAST and YOUTUBE Disclaimer: The opinions I express in these blogs, podcasts and videos are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical, health, or professional advice of any kind. The information contained in this podcast is an educational service that provides general health information about asthma and is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. This podcast contain my own opinions. I will make every effort to broadcast correct information but listeners must realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor may have a different way of doing things from another. I am simply presenting my views on asthma that will be as evidence based as posible I do not promote any asthma medications or devices. By listening to this podcast, which is intended for people with asthma and their caregivers, you agree not to use this podcast or blog as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, and if you are a health professional, this  includes but is not limited to patients that you are treating.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog. You understand and agree that under no circumstances shall Dr Mark Levy any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast or blog.
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DISCLAIMER All Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos: This blog, video or podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast or blog.
Privacy notice Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos:  While you may give your email address to me if you send any questions to asthmaspotlight@gmail.com to be answered in future podcasts, I will never share your email address or contact information with any third parties without your explicit permission.
Advertising policy Asthma Spotlight Podcast:   The Asthma Spotlight podcast and videos may receive advertising money; Dr Mark Levy and any other presenters on Asthma Spotlight podcast do NOT endorse any of the adverts placed on the sites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its important to understand that an asthma consultation with a health carer is a two way process, and it is in your own interests to be know as much as possible about asthma and also its very helpful for the person you are consulting to be able to understand how your asthma affects your life. This podcast is about recognising patterns - in particular to help you link possible causes for your asthma attacks or flare-ups. This will help you to provide useful information for your doctor or asthma trained nurse so that your asthma treatment can be changed to try and prevent attacks or poor control of your asthma. Please also email me at asthmaspotlight@gmail.com with any requests for future topics for the podcast.
Asthma Spotlight PODCAST and YOUTUBE Disclaimer: The opinions I express in these blogs, podcasts and videos are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical, health, or professional advice of any kind. The information contained in this podcast is an educational service that provides general health information about asthma and is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. This podcast contain my own opinions. I will make every effort to broadcast correct information but listeners must realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor may have a different way of doing things from another. I am simply presenting my views on asthma that will be as evidence based as posible I do not promote any asthma medications or devices. By listening to this podcast, which is intended for people with asthma and their caregivers, you agree not to use this podcast or blog as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, and if you are a health professional, this  includes but is not limited to patients that you are treating.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog. You understand and agree that under no circumstances shall Dr Mark Levy any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast or blog.
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DISCLAIMER All Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos: This blog, video or podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast or blog.
Privacy notice Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos:  While you may give your email address to me if you send any questions to asthmaspotlight@gmail.com to be answered in future podcasts, I will never share your email address or contact information with any third parties without your explicit permission.
Advertising policy Asthma Spotlight Podcast:   The Asthma Spotlight podcast and videos may receive advertising money; Dr Mark Levy and any other presenters on Asthma Spotlight podcast do NOT endorse any of the adverts placed on the sites

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Occupational or work induced asthma is one kind of asthma that is important to diagnose because it can potentially be cured if your work environment is changed or if you change your job. Clues that you may have occupational asthma are if your symptoms are worse at work and that improve when you are away from work. I have provided a brief introduction th this topic in this episode - a list of causes of occupational asthma can be found at https://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/substances.htm.
Asthma Spotlight PODCAST and YOUTUBE Disclaimer: The opinions I express in these blogs, podcasts and videos are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical, health, or professional advice of any kind. The information contained in this podcast is an educational service that provides general health information about asthma and is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. This podcast contain my own opinions. I will make every effort to broadcast correct information but listeners must realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor may have a different way of doing things from another. I am simply presenting my views on asthma that will be as evidence based as posible I do not promote any asthma medications or devices. By listening to this podcast, which is intended for people with asthma and their caregivers, you agree not to use this podcast or blog as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, and if you are a health professional, this  includes but is not limited to patients that you are treating.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog. You understand and agree that under no circumstances shall Dr Mark Levy any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast or blog.
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DISCLAIMER All Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos: This blog, video or podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast or blog.
Privacy notice Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos:  While you may give your email address to me if you send any questions to asthmaspotlight@gmail.com to be answered in future podcasts, I will never share your email address or contact information with any third parties without your explicit permission.
Advertising policy Asthma Spotlight Podcast:   The Asthma Spotlight podcast and videos may receive advertising money; Dr Mark Levy and any other presenters on Asthma Spotlight podcast do NOT endorse any of the adverts placed on the sites. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Kingdom has amongst the worst asthma outcomes in the world and despite potential access to excellent specialist asthma care. So how have we got to this situation? What is it about the way asthma is managed in the United Kingdom that prevents us from making preventable asthma attacks & deaths ....'never events'. In this podcast I share some of my thoughts and reflections on these questions and the clear failure to provide consistent effective nationwide care of people with asthma in the United Kingdom. Ive put a link to the National Review of asthma Deaths (NRAD) which was published in 2014 and which has been partially implemented in local patches however it has never been implemented in full on a national scale. So we have the evidence of whats going wrong, however we are not implementing solutions - why not? Please email me with your thoughts about this podcast and examples of successful asthma care from other countries that could be the subject of future podcasts : asthmaspotlight@Gmail.com
Asthma Spotlight PODCAST and YOUTUBE Disclaimer: The opinions I express in these blogs, podcasts and videos are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical, health, or professional advice of any kind. The information contained in this podcast is an educational service that provides general health information about asthma and is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. This podcast contain my own opinions. I will make every effort to broadcast correct information but listeners must realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor may have a different way of doing things from another. I am simply presenting my views on asthma that will be as evidence based as posible I do not promote any asthma medications or devices. By listening to this podcast, which is intended for people with asthma and their caregivers, you agree not to use this podcast or blog as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, and if you are a health professional, this  includes but is not limited to patients that you are treating.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog. You understand and agree that under no circumstances shall Dr Mark Levy any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast or blog.
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DISCLAIMER All Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos: This blog, video or podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast or blog.
Privacy notice Asthma Spotlight Podcast and videos:  While you may give your email address to me if you send any questions to asthmaspotlight@gmail.com to be answered in future podcasts, I will never share your email address or contact information with any third parties without your explicit permission.
Advertising policy Asthma Spotlight Podcast:   The Asthma Spotlight podcast and videos may receive advertising money; Dr Mark Levy and any other presenters on Asthma Spotlight podcast do NOT endorse any of the adverts placed on the sites. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.