Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction: Chameleon Conundrums

Not all respiratory symptoms are related to the lungs. Dr Jemma Haines, MBE, focusses in her presentation on breathlessness caused by irregularities in the upper airways, such as Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO).

During the presentation Dr Haines defines and describes ILO, providing insight as to its prevalence and how this condition typically presents (i.e. transient symptoms of stridor, cough, chest tightness, throat tightness, voice change) following exposure to a trigger. She then shares practical advice as to how it can be managed, including a case study with positive results following breathing and vocal box muscle exercises.

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• Jemma Haines, MBE

  Chief Allied Health Professional

  Read biography
  Jemma Haines, MBE

  Chief Allied Health Professional Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

  Role and Location 

  Jemma Haines is Chief Allied Health Professional at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Prior to this role she ran a tertiary referral multi-disciplinary service for patients with complex breathlessness; she grew the service to a nationally recognised centre of excellence receiving over 700 referrals a year. Jemma has significant experience in treating patients with chronic cough, inducible laryngeal obstruction and upper airway dysfunction.

  Education

  Jemma Haines qualified in 2003 and began her clinical career at Wythenshawe Hospital’s Department of Speech, Voice and Swallowing, where she treated voice and swallowing disorders and developed a focus on patients who have problems at the top of their airway. After working for 10 years at Royal Preston Hospital, Mrs Haines returned to Wythenshawe Hospital in 2016 and set up the Manchester Airways Service, which she led until 2021 before taking the role as Chief Allied Health Professional.

  Research Interests

  Ms Haines has attended numerous national and international conferences presenting her clinical research work. Currently, she is studying part-time for a PhD after being awarded an NIHR BRC PhD fellowship; her work is investigating the evaluation and treatment for ILO. Jemma has contributing to a significant number national of clinical guidelines.

  Memberships

  Jemma Haines is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre PhD Fellow, a fellow of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. She is national respiratory advisor for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and also sat on the RCSLT Professional Practice and Policy Committee for 6 years. She is an elected member of the British Thoracic Society Specialist Advisory Group on Cough. She has led the speech and language therapy workforce into actively treating patients with upper airway dysfunction and is developed training to support this evolving role.

  Other

  In June 2021 Jemma was awarded MBE. The honour recognises Jemma’s services to speech and language therapy in the field of upper airway respiratory disorders, as well as her significant contributions to the COVID-19 response.