\n NHS leaders say the shift improves treatment by addressing not only symptoms but also the underlying cause of asthma \u2013 inflammation in the lungs.\n<\/p>\n
\n The traditional blue inhaler, also known as a reliever inhaler, has been used for more than 50 years to provide fast-acting relief during asthma flare-ups.\n<\/p>\n
\n Professor Ewan Maule, director of medicines and pharmacy at the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (Image: Supplied)\n<\/p>\n
\n Professor Ewan Maule, director of medicines and pharmacy at the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “For over 50 years, the blue inhaler has been prescribed for people with asthma, providing quick relief for breathing difficulties.\n<\/p>\n
\n “We now know that asthma is not just about keeping the airways open, it\u2019s also about controlling the inflammation, or swelling, that causes the symptoms in the first place.”\n<\/p>\n
\n He said the new inhalers combine symptom relief with anti-inflammatory medication, helping to reduce lung swelling and improve overall management.\n<\/p>\n
\n Change from ‘blue to new’ (Image: Supplied)\n<\/p>\n
\n Prof Maule said: “By upgrading to a combined treatment inhaler patients not only get the relief they need but also benefit from treatment that treats the root cause of their asthma.\n<\/p>\n
\n “This can lead to fewer flare-ups, fewer hospital visits, and better long-term lung health.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Claire Adams, ICB respiratory clinical lead, said the change could make a real difference to people\u2019s daily lives.\n<\/p>\n
\n Ms Adams said: “We know that change can feel scary, especially when people have relied on their blue inhaler for years.\n<\/p>\n
\n “This change in guidance is an opportunity to make a real difference to how asthma is managed.\n<\/p>\n
\n “The new combination inhalers offer more protection and better control, helping people to live well and breathe more easily.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Anyone currently using a blue inhaler is being encouraged to speak to their GP about whether a switch to a combination inhaler could benefit them.\n<\/p>\n
\n GPs generally offer two main types of asthma treatment.\n<\/p>\n
\n The first, anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR), is for those who have symptoms less than twice a month or only in specific situations such as during pollen season, when near animals, or during physical activity.\n<\/p>\n
\n The second, a maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) plan, is for patients who experience symptoms more regularly.\n<\/p>\n
\n Ms Adams said: “Having the right plan and using the right inhaler, in the right way, can make all the difference in managing asthma effectively.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Reviewing your asthma action plan with a healthcare professional will ensure you understand how to use the right inhaler correctly and get the best protection for your lungs, helping you to live symptom-free.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Patients looking for more information about moving from “blue to new” inhalers are advised to contact their GP practice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NHS leaders say the shift improves treatment by addressing not only symptoms but also the underlying cause of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":943300,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4316],"tags":[105,4348,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-943299","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-healthcare","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-healthcare","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116532105999013244","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=943299"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943299\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/943300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=943299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=943299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=943299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}