Side Effects Of Relievers And Preventers
Relievers are a safe and effective medicine, and have few side effects as long as they are not used too much. The main side effects include a mild shaking of the hands , headaches and muscle cramps. These usually only happen with high doses of reliever inhaler and usually only last for a few minutes.
Preventers are very safe at usual doses, although they can cause a range of side effects at high doses, especially with long-term use.
The main side effect of preventer inhalers is a fungal infection of the mouth or throat . You may also develop a hoarse voice and sore throat.
Using a spacer can help prevent these side effects, as can rinsing your mouth or cleaning your teeth after using your preventer inhaler.
Your doctor or nurse will discuss with you the need to balance control of your asthma with the risk of side effects, and how to keep side effects to a minimum.
What Are The 3 Main Causes Of Wheezing
Wheezing is a short, sharp, high-pitched whistle that happens when air is breathed in. The air from the lungs whistles as it goes through closed up airways. The most common causes of wheezing are: 1. Infections with bacteria . 2. Allergens or foreign substances that cause allergies . 3. Long-term or repeated irritation and thickening of the airways that causes asthma ..
Understanding An Asthma Attack
Asthma is a condition caused by an allergic reaction in the lungs, often to substances such as dust, traffic fumes, or pollen.
Muscles surrounding the bronchioles go into spasm and constrict, making it very difficult for the patient to breathe.
Most asthma patients carry medication around with them, usually in the form of an inhaler. Ask the patient. The blue inhaler is for relieving an attack, dilating the bronchioles to relieve the condition.
An asthma attack is a traumatic experience for the patient, especially a child, so reassurance and a calm approach from the First Aider is essential. If the patient is not reassured and calmed down by the First Aider, an attack can lead on to hyperventilation after the inhaler has relieved the constricted airways.
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Vaping And Lung Damage
- Talk with your teen about the dangers of vaping.
- Vaping can cause severe lung damage. It can become permanent.
- Vaping can even cause death .
- Vaping tobacco also causes nicotine addiction.
- For these reasons, the legal age to purchase vaping products is 21 in the US.
- Encourage your teen to not start vaping or to give it up.
- Warning: home-made or street-purchased vaping solutions are the most dangerous.
How Do I Open My Airways
If you have asthma, the best way to keep your airways open is to use your asthma medications as directed by your doctor. These medications can open your airways using a variety of mechanisms, including relaxing airway muscles or reducing inflammation.
Long-term control medications can help prevent the airways from narrowing and leading to asthma symptoms. When asthma symptoms do occur, quick-relief medications like your rescue inhaler can help to quickly open your airways.
In addition to using your asthma medications as directed, some other things that may help to open your airways include practicing breathing exercises or trying steam inhalation.
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Relievers For Adults And Children
Everyone who has asthma needs a reliever to use when they have asthma symptoms.
In Australia, most relievers are available from pharmacies without a prescription. Relievers should only be used when you or your child has symptoms and should not be over-used.
In preschool children, wheezing may not be asthma. Wheezing does not need to be treated if your child is still happy and active while wheezing and does not seem to be having any problem breathing. If it is hard for your child to breathe while wheezing , you must seek medical help immediately.
How To Treat An Asthma Attack Naturally When You Dont Have An Inhaler
If you are one of the more than 25 million Americans who suffer from asthma, you know exactly how scary an asthma attack can be. When you are coughing, wheezing, and struggling just to breathe every second count.
Most asthmatics rely on a rescue inhaler to provide immediate relief but what can you do if you dont have your inhaler? There are a number of natural herbal remedies for asthma that can help you combat your attacks and help provide immediate relief. There are also a number of herbs that you can take regularly to help lessen the frequency of your asthma attacks and improve your breathing.
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Side Effects Of Steroid Tablets
Oral steroids carry a risk if they are taken for more than three months or if they are taken frequently . Side effects can include:
- muscle weakness
With the exception of increased appetite, which is very commonly experienced by people taking oral steroids, most of these unwanted effects are uncommon.
However, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for them regularly, especially side effects that are not immediately obvious, such as high blood pressure, thinning of the bones, diabetes and glaucoma.
You will need regular appointments to check for these.
Read further information:
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Donât have written asthma action plan from your doctor
- Use an inhaler, but donât have a spacer
- Miss more than 1 day of school per month for asthma
- Asthma limits exercise or sports
- Asthma attacks wake child up from sleep
- Use more than 1 inhaler per month
- No asthma check-up in more than 1 year
- You have other questions or concerns
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Give Dust Mites The Boot
Allergic asthma is often triggered by microscopic dust mites in your home. One of the easiest and fastest steps you can take to keep these tiny insects under control is to cover bedding with mite-proof barriers, zippered covers in which you encase your mattress and pillows. Then wash all your linens at least once a week in hot water 150 degrees anything less wont kill the critters. You cant eliminate dust mites altogether, but you can make your bed into a mite-free zone for asthma relief.
What Is Good Asthma Care
Your doctor or nurse will tailor your asthma treatment to your symptoms. Sometimes you may need to be on higher levels of medication than at others.
You should be offered:
- care at your GP surgery provided by doctors and nurses trained in asthma management
- full information about your condition and how to control it
- involvement in making decisions about your treatment
- regular checks to ensure your asthma is under control and your treatment is right for you
- a written personal asthma action plan agreed with your doctor or nurse
It is also important that your GP or pharmacist teaches you how to properly use your inhaler, as this is an important part of good asthma care.
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Other Asthma First Aid Directions
Not everyone with asthma uses the same reliever medication.
Some people use a different blue reliever called Bricanyl which comes in a different type of inhaler called a Turbuhaler.
See the asthma first aid steps for those using Bricanyl.
Other people use a dual-purpose reliever. A dual-purpose reliever contains budesonide and formoterol together, and is used as-needed.
The combination of budesonide and formoterol in the dual-purpose reliever, when used as-needed, relieves symptoms and reduces risk of experiencing serious asthma flare-ups. It does this by relaxing tight airway muscles and treating inflammation in the airways.
Note: you may also be prescribed these medicines as a preventer. Always follow your doctors instructions on your asthma action plan about what to use in an asthma flare-up or asthma attack.
Knowing Your Asthma Action Plan Is Step One
For most people with asthma, managing the chronic condition involves a multi-pronged approach tailored to your symptoms and lifestyle.
Step one for everyone, however, is having a firm grasp of your asthma action plan.
Work with your doctor to create an asthma action plan that covers how to:
- Take your medication properly
- Quit smoking, if you do
In addition, monitor your symptoms carefully. Keep track of what they are, when they occur, and their severity.
Journal of Asthma and Allergy,
- In cold, dry air
- In environments with airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke
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What Is An Asthma Attack
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs. During an asthma attack, the airways become narrower than normal and can cause difficulty breathing.
The severity of an asthma attack can range from mild to very serious. Some asthma attacks may require prompt medical attention.
The preferred way of treating an asthma attack is to use a rescue inhaler, which contains medication that expands your airways.
But what if youre having an asthma attack and dont have your rescue inhaler available? There are several things that you can do while you wait for your symptoms to subside or for medical attention. Read on to learn more.
How Do I Know If My Asthma Is Not Well
A good way to know if your asthma is not well-controlled is by answering these questions:
- Do you have asthma symptoms more than two times a week?
- Do you take your quick-relief medicine more than two times a week?
- Do you wake up from asthma more than two times a month?
- Do you use oral corticosteroids more than two times a year?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, talk with your doctor.
If your asthma is not well-controlled, your daily activities may be limited. You may miss work or school. You may increase your chances of having complications from a respiratory infection. And you may be at greater risk for going to the emergency room, staying in the hospital, or even dying from asthma.
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What Are Asthma Attack Symptoms
People with asthma are usually familiar with the symptoms of asthma attacks, which can include shortness of breath , chest pain, chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, fast heart rate, and a low score on the peak flow meter .
Severe asthma attacks are a medical emergency. You should call 911 or seek emergency medical attention from a medical professional if:
- you have severe shortness of breath
- your symptoms continue to worsen even after treatment
- you are unable to speak, or short sentences leave you breathless
- you need to strain your chest muscles to breathe
- your lips or face have a bluish tinge
- you are starting to feel drowsy or fatigued
Anyone Having Difficulty Using An Inhaler Can Try A Nebulizer
While not technically an inhaler, theres yet another option for inhaling medicine.
Nebulizer If you have severe asthma and are unable to use a regular inhaler, a nebulizer may be a better option.
This machine turns liquid medicine into a fine mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece, a mask that fits over your nose and mouth, or into your mouth alone.
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How Do You Fix Asthma Without An Inhaler
Caught without an inhaler during an asthma attack?
How To Stop The Wheezing Without Medication
An asthma attack can be disturbing to say the least it can limit the activities you can enjoy and put acrimp on your quality of life. Controlling and managing asthma is the key to a happier, more fulfilling life. While medications can and do help, many people choose to take more natural approaches to managing the wheezing that asthma causes.
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Take Plenty Of Fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids helps keep the airways moist and prevents them from becoming dry and irritated. This is especially important if you live in a dry climate or if you exercise outdoors regularly.
The body is made up of about 60% water. When the body doesnt have enough water, the internal organs cant function properly. Thirst is one way the body tells us it needs more water, but by that time, were often already dehydrated.
Water is essential for many bodily functions, including regulating our body temperature and digesting food. It also helps to lubricate our joints and keep our skin healthy. But most importantly, water helps keep our respiratory system functioning properly. It moistens the airways and prevents them from becoming dry and irritated which can lead to an asthma attack.
How Asthma Is Treated
While there is no cure for asthma, there are a number of treatments that can help control the condition.
Treatment is based on two important goals, which are:
- relieving symptoms
- preventing future symptoms and attacks
For most people, this will involve the occasional or, more commonly, daily use of medications, usually taken using an inhaler. However, identifying and avoiding possible triggers is also important.
You should have a personal asthma action plan agreed with your doctor or nurse that includes information about the medicines you need to take, how to recognise when your symptoms are getting worse, and what steps to take when they do so.
These symptoms are often worse at night and early in the morning, particularly if the condition is not well controlled. They may also develop or become worse in response to a certain trigger, such as exercise or exposure to an allergen.
Read our page on the causes of asthma for more information about potential triggers.
Speak to your GP if you think you or your child may have asthma. You should also talk to your doctor or asthma nurse if you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are finding it difficult to control the symptoms.
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Use A Peak Flow Meter
A peak flow meter is an inexpensive handheld gadget. You use it to measure how fast air comes out when you exhale hard after a full breath in. This number is called a peak expiratory flow .
Your doctor may want you to use a peak flow meter to help you recognize signs of trouble. Many asthma symptoms result from not being able to move air out of your lungs. If your PEF goes down, thats a sign that your asthma is getting worse and that you need to do something.
Asthma Symptoms In A Severe Allergic Reaction
People having a severe allergic reaction can also have asthma-like symptoms. If the person has an anaphylaxis action plan, follow the instructions.
Always give adrenaline injector first, then asthma reliever if someone with known asthma and allergy to food, insects or medication has sudden breathing difficulty even if there are no skin symptoms. In case of an emergency, call triple zero and ask for an ambulance.
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How To Prevent Asthma Symptoms At Night
Using your preventer inhaler every day, as prescribed, will build up protection in your airways and keep your asthma symptoms under control, so theyre less likely to wake you at night.
Its very important to:
- use your written asthma action plan to help you understand how to manage your symptoms and what to do if they get worse.
- go for regular asthma reviews with your GP or asthma nurse. They can check youre using your inhalers correctly. Its also a chance to talk about any triggers that might be affecting your sleep.
Does your child wake up at night from asthma symptoms? Read our advice on asthma and your childs sleep.
Chances Of Asthma Symptoms Getting Worse When Treated With Psoriasis Medicine Is Likelyyour Browser Indicates If Youve Visited This Link
Psoriasis medicine licensed to treat the skin condition worsened symptoms in patients with severe asthma, according to trial results recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Information found in a University Hospitals of Leicester press release shared the Journals data which presented that the study investigated whether risankizumab could potentially improve the symptoms and reduce attacks in people with severe asthma.
Managed Healthcare Executive
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When Should You Go To Er For Asthma
Signs You May Need to Go to the ER Here are some situations that call for emergency care: You take your asthma medicine and your flare-up doesnt get any better. You feel a little better after taking your medicine, but your symptoms come back quickly. Frequent wheezing, persistent cough, or chest pain.
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Tips For When You Dont Have An Inhaler
Mild to moderate asthma attacks can occur at inopportune times. You may be able to manage your asthma more effectively with these tips. If these dont work CALL AN AMBULANCE.
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