logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2022
27m 49s

Asthma inhalers and Covid antivirals

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Are you one of the five million people with asthma in the UK? If so, could you be on a different inhaler - one that could control your asthma better while also being kinder to the planet? “Puffers” - or aerosol spray inhalers - contain potent greenhouse gases and can be tricky to use correctly, so not everyone can control their asthma. We speak to Caroline from Cornwall, who has switched inhalers and it’s transformed her life. James talks to the doctors who think far more people could benefit from making the change.

We also speak to Nerys from North Wales who has started antiviral treatment for her Covid infection. We explore the new drugs with virologist Dr Elisabetta Groppelli and Prof Chris Butler who is running the clinical trial designed to pinpoint who is likely to benefit from antivirals the most.

PRESENTER: James Gallagher PRODUCER: Beth Eastwood

Up next
Mar 3
Is the tide turning on ME research?
ME – also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – has long been one of medicine’s most perplexing conditions. With no definitive diagnostic test and a legacy of scepticism in parts of the medical community, patients have often struggled to be believed. But a surge of new research may ... Show More
27m 45s
Feb 24
What are the side effects of weight loss drugs?
Over 1.5million adults in the UK tried weight loss drugs in 2024-25. Many swear by them, but they have been associated with side effects including nausea and, in some cases, extremely painful gallstones. But what does the evidence actually tell us, and what is the wider impact on ... Show More
28m 3s
Feb 17
Why is it so hard to find an NHS dentist?
Dentistry is high on the public and political agenda. There have been dozens of headlines about access to NHS dentistry, with some people having to travel huge distances to find a dentist, or being put onto long waiting lists to get an NHS appointment. In this episode of Inside H ... Show More
27m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
Ep 122 Asthma: A phlegmy episode
<p>Most of us are familiar with asthma. Maybe you have the disease yourself or maybe a friend, family member, or coworker has it. Or maybe you’ve just watched a tv show or movie featuring a character with asthma. However you learned about this disease, you probably still have som ... Show More
1h 32m
Aug 2020
The first modern asthma inhaler
Asthma affects more children than any other non-communicable disease - and it was a teenager who first asked her father "why can't they put my asthma medication in a spray can like hairspray?". Luckily her father ran a pharmaceutical company and got a team of scientists to work o ... Show More
10m 18s
Mar 2019
Acute Asthma
<p>In this episode I cover acute asthma.<br/><br/>If you want to follow along with written notes on asthma go to https://zerotofinals.com/medicine/respiratory/acuteasthma/ or find the respiratory section in the Zero to Finals medicine book.<br/><br/>This episode covers the pathop ... Show More
6m 48s
Mar 2019
Asthma
<p>In this episode I cover asthma.<br/><br/>If you want to follow along with written notes on asthma go to <a href='https://zerotofinals.com/asthma'>https://zerotofinals.com/asthma</a> or find the respiratory section in the Zero to Finals medicine book.<br/><br/>This episode cove ... Show More
12m 10s
Apr 2024
#149 Asthma Management and the MANDALA Trial: Beyond Journal Club with NEJM Group
Should your patients be reaching for albuterol when their asthma flares up? Some of us may have been treating asthma exacerbations incorrectly for many years… What is the right approach? Tune in to the fifth episode of Beyond Journal Club, a new series brought to you by Core IM i ... Show More
33m 46s
Oct 2023
Asthma & Ear Infections
Asthma/Ear Infections On today’s episode of Red Pill Your Healthcast with Dr. Charlie and Nurse Practitioner Lauren- Let’s talk about Asthma and Ear Infections. Ear Infections: Garlic oil Kids - Shop Adults - Shop  Mullein oil Hydrogen Peroxide  $250 off lumebox (Red Light) good ... Show More
40m 8s
Apr 2024
Ep 193 The Crashing Asthmatic – Recognition and Management of Life Threatening Asthma
In this part 2 of our 2-part podcast on asthma with Dr. Sameer Mal and Dr. Leeor Sommer, we dig into the recognition and management of life-threatening asthma. We answer such questions as: what are the key elements in recognition of threatening asthma? What are the most time-sens ... Show More
56m 4s
May 2020
Chronic Asthma
<p>This episode covers chronic asthma.<br/><br/>Written notes can be found at <a href='https://zerotofinals.com/paediatrics/respiratory/chronicasthma/'>https://zerotofinals.com/paediatrics/respiratory/chronicasthma/</a> or in the respiratory section in the Zero to Finals paediatr ... Show More
13m 18s