Asthma
An Asthma attack can become an asthma emergency quickly. Find out what symptoms to look out for and when to get urgent care for asthma. Then, if you are worried, call us or come into the clinic.
Have a life threatening emergency?PHONE 111
What are Asthma causes and treatment for an Asthma attack?
You’ll probably know that an asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms. But why does this occur? The constriction of the muscles around your airways brings it on.
In other words, asthma causes your airways to swell and inflame. Subsequently, your breathing tubes become more constricted as the muscles surrounding your airways tighten. As a result, your airways produce more mucus than usual.
Symptoms of an Asthma attack, treatment.
When an asthma attack occurs, it pays to contact urgent care. Rest assured, our team can help you get on top of your symptoms before an asthma emergency arises.
Signs of an asthma attack that needs urgent treatment:
• Trouble breathing.
• Worsening chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing.
• Having asthma symptoms that keep you up at night.
• Needing to use your reliever more often over 3 hours.
How to know you're having an asthma emergency
Importantly, if you have the following asthma symptoms, don’t delay to call emergency services.
• Symptoms getting worse very quickly.
• Acute shortness of breath.
• Inability to speak clearly.
• Lips are turning blue.
• Receiving little or no relief from your inhaler.
So, if you experience any of these symptoms, commence your asthma action plan. Then, call 111 immediately to request an ambulance.
First Aid care for an asthma attack
Seeing someone having an asthma attack can be alarming. However, your quick action can help. Also, it will reduce the risk of their asthma attack becoming an asthma emergency.
- Get the person sitting in a comfortable position.
- Add one puff into their inhaler spacer. Next, ask the person to take four breaths from the spacer.
- Repeat until six puffs have been administered through the spacer.
- Monitor their breathing for 5 minutes. If they show no improvement, give six more puffs. Repeat every 5 minutes.
- Then, if their breathing doesn’t normalise, call 111 for an ambulance.
- Finally, if the person becomes unresponsive, prepare to give CPR.
Even if the person feels better and is breathing normally, take them to a doctor for a check-up. Remember, at East Care, we are open every day to help.
How to contact us
- Email info@eastcare.co.nz
- Phone number (09) 277 1516
- Fax (09) 277 1515
- Address: 260 Botany Road, Howick 2013, Auckland
- Postal: PO Box 38306, Howick 2145, Auckland
Complementary onsite services
At our Botany Road premises, we offer a number of onsite services including a Pharmacy and Radiology to ensure your visit to the Centre is as stress free as possible.
Pre-register online before you arrive
Pre-registering saves you time in check-in.
Frequently asked questions
To join our clinic, you first need to fill out the patient enrolment forms to register with the PHO that we belong to. This is a Ministry of Health requirement. You will need to provide proof of identity and eligibility which may include the following forms of identification:
- NZ Passport or NZ birth certificate
- International passport with resident visa OR work visa of minimum 24-month duration
On the enrolment form you need to indicate which of our doctors (currently taking new patients) that you would like to be registered with.
Yes. As part of completing your enrollment, we request that you have a new patient screening appointment with one of our Nursing or Medical Centre Assistant team members.
This new patient appointment enables our team to work with you to better understand your current health and wellbeing.
Following the new patient appointment as above, you can book your first consultation with your nominated doctor.
The length of your first appointment with your new doctor will be as follows:
| Age | Screening appointment | GP appointment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-13 yrs | - | 15 minutes Free | 15 minutes Free |
| 13-17 yrs | - | 15 minutes $13.00 | 15 minutes $13.00 |
| 18-39 yrs | 15 minutes $10.00 | 15 minutes* $19.50 | 30 minutes $29.50 |
| 40+ yrs | 15 minutes $10.00 | 30 minutes $39.00 | 45 minutes $49.00 |
* Note: if you have a chronic condition, please make a booking for 30 minutes.
Payment is required at the time of consultation
You will get full access to the patient portal “My Indici” once you have completed your screening appointment.
Payment is required at time of consultation. Please note that unpaid accounts will incur an additional $10 monthly administration cost.
There may be additional costs for treatments/tests/materials
We recommend that you book your future appointments via your patient portal My Indici.
If you need an urgent appointment, then please phone the clinic. We have doctors available to discuss your urgent health needs on the day.
All consultations are by appointment only.
Patient portals are secure online sites where patients can access their health information and interact with their general practice. Please give us call on (09) 265 1325 or send us an email at info@ormistonmedical.co.nz, and we can set up your account.
14-17 years $14
18+ years $16
Urgent prescription $27.50
We are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.
For health services after hours visit East Care Accident & Medical, 260 Botany Road, Golflands, Auckland 2013. Their phone is 09 277 1516.
These are consultation prices only.
Under 14 Years - Free 14 - 17 years - $14 18 years & over - $16
Note charge is the same for in person or by phone or video as you are still receiving the same high quality health provider assessment, diagnosis and planning.