The climatic conditions and air quality of Kuala Lumpur pose genuine problems to those who have asthma or any form of respiratory illness. With the humid weather, air pollution caused by vehicles on the roads, and haze that occurs almost every year in most parts of Peninsular Malaysia, those living with asthma will experience symptoms that are difficult to handle.

That is what we do at WeCare Clinic, as our services cover the diagnosis and management of patients in UKay Boulevard, Desa Melawati, and Setiawangsa in relation to their respiratory problems considering the unique environmental factors in Kuala Lumpur.

Why Kuala Lumpur’s Environment Matters for Asthma

The approach to manage asthma is not standardized; the geographical location also influences the nature of the disease. The local determinants considered while dealing with patients suffering from respiratory diseases in KL include the following:

• Transboundary haze – Peninsular Malaysia suffers from transboundary haze in most years, causing deterioration in the quality of air and provoking attacks among those patients whose asthma is under control otherwise
• High humidity throughout the year – As a country situated in the tropical region, Malaysia is characterized by high airway sensitivity and dust mites as well as mold growth inside the house, which may provoke an attack in patients suffering from asthma
• Traffic air pollution – Traffic pollution with particles is quite common in Kuala Lumpur and is recognized as one of the triggers of asthma and respiratory conditions
• Quality of indoor air – Spending a long time inside, with air conditioning in KL because of the climate conditions, may also influence respiratory diseases

These are the local factors influencing asthma and should be taken into account while planning the approach to its management.

Diagnosis and Assessment

In the event that you are suffering from symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, tightness in the chest or chronic cough, the first step taken by our doctors is a comprehensive evaluation aimed at identifying the triggers and arriving at an accurate diagnosis.

The process usually involves the following:

Treatment and Ongoing Management

There are a few aspects that go into asthma and respiratory management at the WeCare Clinic, depending on your individual case:

Medication Management

• Provision and follow-up on reliever and preventer inhalers where required
• Modification of your treatment plan according to your symptom control
• Instructions on proper inhaler technique, as this is very important in determining efficacy of your medication

Management of Acute Episodes

In case you experience any acute flare-up of symptoms, especially during haze periods and/or infection, nebulisation may be recommended. This is provided as a separate service; please refer to the Nebuliser Treatment page for more information on the process, cost, and what to expect.

Know more about Ear Infection Treatment

Trigger Management Planning

• Suggestions on how to avoid exposure to haze and dust
• Suggestions about indoor air quality management, especially concerning patients who spend much time under air-conditioning
• Planning for haze season, knowing which times are best for venturing outdoors

Long-Term Monitoring

• Reviewing symptoms and management strategies on a consistent basis
• Reassessment of lung functioning when required
• Taking into consideration other illnesses, for example allergies, which could be causing symptoms

When to Seek Immediate Care

While most asthma flare-ups can be managed with your existing treatment plan, seek urgent medical attention if you experience these health issues:

• Severe breathlessness that doesn’t improve with your reliever inhaler
• Difficulty speaking in full sentences due to breathlessness
• Blue tinge to lips or fingertips
• Chest tightness that is rapidly worsening

Also Read About Contraceptive Solutions at We-Care Clinic

Who Should Book an Asthma Consultation

• Who has recurrent wheezing, difficulty breathing, and/or chest tightness
• Who finds that their symptoms of difficulty breathing get worse during hazy conditions
• Those with a family background of asthma and allergies
• People diagnosed with asthma during childhood and now experience recurrence of symptoms in adulthood
• Those with a prolonged cough not due to any apparent reason for several weeks
• Asthma patients requiring follow-up of their current therapy or inhalation technique

If you have noticed that there seems to be a consistent pattern in how your breathing problems coincide with the haze warnings in KL, that alone can be valuable knowledge to convey to your physician when you visit for your appointment.

Does the haze in Malaysia really affect asthma that much?

Certainly, it is known that seasonal haze is one of the causes of asthma exacerbation in Malaysia, even for those patients who have controlled their condition well so far. The decreased quality of air during haze days may cause irritation of the respiratory tract and make the patient feel much worse.

What’s the difference between this page and the nebuliser treatment page?

This web page provides information on asthma diagnosis and treatment. Nebuliser treatment is one particular treatment which can provide quick relief to the symptoms and is explained in detail on our Nebuliser Treatment page including the price list.

Do I need a spirometry test to be diagnosed with asthma?

It depends on the case, it is an important objective test which helps in diagnosing asthma. It will be recommended by our doctor in your particular case.

Can asthma develop in adulthood, or is it only diagnosed in childhood?

Asthma may occur at any age. Adult-onset asthma is not uncommon when some people get it for the first time even in adulthood due to certain environmental or other reasons.

Get Your Asthma Under Control

Asthma patients living in Kuala Lumpur will have to cope with their symptoms as well as actual environmental factors such as haze and humidity. If you have a breathing problem, go ahead and book an appointment with any branch of WeCare Clinics.