Asthma is one of the most common conditions managed by our Respiratory Specialists at Southwest Pulmonary & Sleep Centre (SWCPC) in Oran Park. Despite being one of Australia’s most prevalent chronic diseases — affecting around 2.8 million Australians — asthma is frequently undertreated or misdiagnosed. If your asthma isn’t well controlled, or you’ve never had a formal diagnosis confirmed by a Respiratory Physician, a specialist review could make a significant difference.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways that causes episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough — particularly at night or in the early morning. In Australia, it is the most common reason for referral to a Respiratory Specialist, and yet many patients are managed on suboptimal treatment for years before seeing a specialist.
Signs Your Asthma Needs a Respiratory Specialist Review
- You use your reliever inhaler (e.g. Ventolin) more than twice a week
- Your asthma wakes you at night
- You’ve had an asthma attack requiring emergency care in the past year
- Your symptoms aren’t controlled despite being on preventer medication
- You’ve never had your diagnosis confirmed with spirometry
- Your GP suspects you may have a different condition mimicking asthma
- You have occupational asthma triggered by your workplace
How Our Respiratory Specialists Diagnose and Manage Asthma
At SWCPC Oran Park, our Respiratory Physicians take a thorough approach to asthma care:
- Spirometry and full lung function testing — on-site at our Oran Park clinic, to confirm the diagnosis and measure severity
- Bronchodilator reversibility testing — assesses how much your airflow improves with reliever medication
- Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing — measures airway inflammation
- Allergy assessment and trigger identification
- Stepwise treatment optimisation — reviewing and adjusting your inhaler regimen according to the latest GINA guidelines
- Biologic therapy assessment — for severe asthma patients who may be eligible for targeted biological treatments (Dupilumab, Mepolizumab, Benralizumab)
Difficult-to-Control and Severe Asthma
Some patients have asthma that remains poorly controlled despite being on high-dose preventer therapy. This is called severe or refractory asthma, and it requires expert management by a Respiratory Specialist. Our team at SWCPC Oran Park has experience assessing and managing severe asthma, including referral for biologic therapy where appropriate.
See a Respiratory Specialist for Asthma in Oran Park
Our Respiratory Specialists and Respiratory Doctors at SWCPC serve patients from Oran Park, Camden, Narellan, Campbelltown, Gregory Hills, Harrington Park, Mount Annan, Liverpool, and Leppington. A GP referral is required.
Address: Level 2, Suite 2.12, TRN House, 90 Podium Way, Oran Park NSW 2570
Phone: (02) 4607 5010
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
