Diagnosing the problem: Lauren’s story
Our latest research shows that people with lung conditions aren’t being diagnosed quickly enough. Lauren, an IT trainer from Nottingham, was diagnosed with asthma in 2010. Here she tells us how difficult it was to get her diagnosis. And we lay out our recommendations to improve diagnosis for lung conditions in the UK.
Early signs and symptoms
“It was around 2010 when I first started experiencing symptoms of asthma. I would get breathless doing light exercise or even climbing stairs, which was unusual for me. It was only when I went out for a jog with my brother and had to turn back due to severe breathing difficulties, that I went to see a doctor. They gave me a blue reliever inhaler. I ended up going back to the doctors because it did work but it was short lived. It was then that I was given the preventer inhaler. When that started working, I had a spirometry test, which confirmed that I definitely have asthma.
Becoming an emergency
It wasn't until I had an asthma attack in 2019 that I was finally referred to a specialist in an asthma clinic. It was only then that I received the combination of medication that actually worked and stabilised my condition. At one point, I was even given a pack of steroids to keep at home in case of emergency. Looking back, I know that probably wasn't the right thing to do.
It was a shock when I ended up in the hospital due to my asthma. I never imagined it would happen to me. If I’d appreciated how bad it could get, I might have asked my GP for better treatment options. If I'd had the right test at the right time, I could have got the right diagnosis and treatment sooner, which would have made a big difference.
Gaining confidence
When I was first diagnosed, I didn't really understand my condition. Knowing what I know now, I want to help other people get the right treatment faster. It’s given me confidence as well, to say to a medical professional, ‘This is an asthma attack, I’ve experienced this before’ and get the right help sooner. I don’t want other people to have to wait like I did to get the right information and treatment for their condition.”
New research
Asthma + Lung UK’s new report Diagnosing the Problem: Right test, right time highlights that the right diagnosis and treatment are key in order to keep people well and out of hospital, and to be able to meaningfully improve people’s quality of life. In Diagnosing the Problem, Asthma + Lung UK is calling for prompt access to diagnostic tests, in particular spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the two most common lung conditions in the UK.
Giving patients what they need
Asthma + Lung UK want to see everyone with a lung condition receive an accurate and timely diagnosis as a priority, so that all of these people can receive the help they need at the right time. This will require funding at a national and local level. Patients with asthma should be contacted and informed about their options. There should be a pathway in place where patients are swiftly given access to diagnostic tests, and sent to a specialist if needed (especially if their asthma is uncontrolled) to explore treatment options, investigate potential triggers, and identify the type of asthma they might have.
Meeting demand
Local services need to plan to meet demand in their area. This is more important now than ever, as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people are waiting a long time for the tests that they need. Asthma + Lung UK are calling for training for healthcare professionals and for more funding for key tests like spirometry, so that everyone with conditions like COPD or asthma can receive the right support without delay.
For more information, visit Diagnosing the Problem: Right test, right time. Find out more about spirometry tests here.