Living with asthma requires ongoing management and access to the right medications. Whether you're an expat in Spain who needs to refill your inhalers, someone experiencing new breathing difficulties, or looking to optimize your asthma control, UrgentDoc's English-speaking doctors can help. We provide comprehensive asthma consultations, prescriptions, and management plans through convenient online appointments.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the airways in your lungs. When triggered, the airways become inflamed, swollen, and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. Asthma can range from mild (occasional symptoms) to severe (frequent symptoms affecting daily life). With proper treatment and management, most people with asthma can live active, normal lives.
Common Asthma Symptoms
Our doctors can help if you're experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Shortness of breath – difficulty catching your breath, especially during activity
- Wheezing – a whistling or squeaky sound when breathing, especially when exhaling
- Chest tightness – feeling of pressure or constriction in the chest
- Coughing – often worse at night or early morning, may be dry or produce mucus
- Nighttime symptoms – waking up due to coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness
- Exercise-induced symptoms – breathing problems during or after physical activity
Common Asthma Triggers
Understanding and avoiding your triggers is key to managing asthma. Common triggers include:
Allergens
Pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, cockroach droppings
Irritants
Smoke, air pollution, strong odors, chemical fumes
Respiratory Infections
Colds, flu, sinus infections, bronchitis
Physical Factors
Exercise, cold air, changes in weather
Emotional Factors
Strong emotions, stress, anxiety, laughing or crying
Medications
Aspirin, NSAIDs, beta-blockers in some people
How Our Asthma Consultation Works
Book Your Appointment
Select a convenient time and provide information about your asthma history, current medications, and symptoms.
Video Consultation
Meet with an English-speaking doctor who will assess your asthma control, review your current treatment, and discuss any concerns or changes in symptoms.
Treatment Plan & Prescriptions
Receive a personalized asthma action plan and prescriptions for inhalers and other medications, sent directly to your local pharmacy in Spain.
Asthma Medications We Prescribe
Asthma treatment typically involves two types of medications:
Quick-Relief (Rescue) Medications
Used during asthma attacks or before exercise. Work within minutes to open airways.
- Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) like salbutamol/albuterol
- Ipratropium bromide
- Oral corticosteroids for severe attacks
Long-Term Control Medications
Taken daily to prevent symptoms and reduce inflammation. Essential for persistent asthma.
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) – most effective for long-term control
- Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) – often combined with ICS
- Leukotriene modifiers (montelukast)
- Combination inhalers (ICS + LABA)
Asthma Services We Provide
- Inhaler prescriptions: New prescriptions or refills for rescue and controller inhalers
- Medication reviews: Ensure your current treatment is working effectively
- Asthma action plans: Personalized written plans for daily management and emergencies
- Technique assessment: Guidance on proper inhaler use via video
- Trigger identification: Help identifying and avoiding your personal triggers
- Step-up/step-down treatment: Adjusting medications based on control level
- Referrals: When specialist care or additional testing is needed
Signs Your Asthma May Not Be Well-Controlled
Consider booking a consultation if you experience any of the following:
- Using your rescue inhaler more than twice a week
- Waking up at night due to asthma symptoms more than twice a month
- Needing to limit activities because of breathing problems
- Refilling your rescue inhaler more than twice a year
- Symptoms interfering with work, school, or exercise
- Feeling like your current medications aren't working as well
When to Seek Immediate Care
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience:
- Severe shortness of breath that makes it hard to walk or talk
- Lips or fingernails turning blue or gray
- Rescue inhaler providing no relief or relief lasting less than 4 hours
- Peak flow readings in the red zone (if you use a peak flow meter)
- Straining chest and neck muscles to breathe
- Difficulty speaking in full sentences
- Feeling of panic or drowsiness during an attack
Call emergency services (112 in Spain) immediately. A severe asthma attack is a medical emergency.
Living with Asthma in Spain
Spain offers many benefits for people with asthma—mild Mediterranean climate, less air pollution than many northern European cities, and excellent healthcare. However, seasonal pollen can be intense (especially olive trees in spring), and air quality varies by region. Our doctors can help you adapt your asthma management to your new environment in Spain.
Why Choose UrgentDoc for Asthma Care?
Quick Refills
Don't run out of inhalers—get prescriptions quickly
Expert Management
Doctors experienced in asthma care and treatment optimization
English-Speaking Doctors
Discuss your symptoms and treatment clearly
Local Pharmacy Access
Get your inhalers at any pharmacy in Spain
Need Asthma Care?
Whether you need a prescription refill or help optimizing your asthma control, book a consultation with one of our doctors today.
Book a Consultation