Asthma Holding Chamber Or Spacer
A valved holding chamber is a handheld device that attaches to a metered-dose inhaler . It captures the medicated mist as it sprays out. The medication is trapped long enough inside the holding chamber to be inhaled at your own speed. It also pulls out large particles of medication and prevents them from settling in your mouth or throat.
A spacer is like a valved holding chamber, but it does not suspend the medication. So, when using it you must coordinate your breath to begin slightly before actuating the MDI.
Holding chambers are available for use with and without masks. Masks are often essential for children, the elderly, or some disabled people. Anyone who cannot close their lips securely around the mouthpiece should use a mask. Anyone who needs to take several breaths to inhale the medication fully should use a mask.
How to use a spacer or holding chamber
What Is The Reason Of Prescribing Famotidine To An Asthma Patient
Question posted by Faryal Sami on 30 Sep 2011
Last updated on 30 September 2011 by DzooBaby
DzooBaby
Does this asthmatic patient have an ulcer? Famotidine is used sometimes for healing stomach ulcers. A stomach ulcer is serious and can cause perforation and bleeding so at this point the benefits would outweigh the risk. As the person takes the famotidine he/she should monitor their breathing status and let the Dr know if they start having more difficulty in their respiratory status or if the breathing was very difficult to call 911
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Good question as the quide below specifically states people with asthma are more at risk. After reading, please consult with your doctor. He/she must feel your acid reflux because of proton pumps producing to much acid is much more vital than your asthma at this point. I take omeprazole & have severe osteoporosis. The FDA recently warned thats these drugs in particular cause femur fractures, but everytimes I’ve tried to quit I get gerd so bad I have to restart it. Without your complete history It’s hard to tell. Hope this helps, & call your doctor if your are very concerned…
Do Asthma Medicines Have Side Effects
Yes. All medicines have side effects. Tell your doctor how you are responding to the treatment and if you have any side effects. Follow up often with your doctor so you can control your asthma with the least amount of medicines and with the fewest side effects.
Medical Review: June 2021 by S. Allan Bock, MD Maureen George, PhD, RN, AEC, FAAN and Sumita Khatri, MD, MS
References1. Bonds, R., Asawa, A. and Ghazi, A. . Misuse of medical devices: a persistent problem in self-management of asthma and allergic disease. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 114, pp.74-76.e2.
Asthma Action Plan
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How To Play It Safe
Before playing sports, your asthma must be under control. In other words, you shouldn’t be having lots of flare-ups. The best way to get asthma under control is by following your action plan and taking all prescribed asthma medicines as your doctor directed.
If you take long-term control medicine, you’ll need to use it even when you feel OK. Skipping these daily medicines can make symptoms worse.
Have your quick-relief medicine with you at all times, even during workouts. That way you can take it if you have a flare-up. Some people need to use quick-relief medicine right before exercise to prevent flare-ups. Your doctor will let you know if that’s the case for you.
People who have exercise-induced asthma get flare-ups only when they’re active. So they also might have to take asthma medicine before any kind of strenuous activity.
Talk with your doctor about your plans to play sports or work out. Your doctor might add workout strategies to your asthma action plan. These could include:
- skipping outdoor workouts when pollen or mold counts are high
- wearing a scarf or ski mask when training outside during the winter
- breathing through your nose instead of your mouth while exercising
- making time for a careful warm-up and cool-down
Improving Asthma With Tools And Devices
Asthma is a cyclical disease, with episodes that come and go. Asthma flare ups dont just happen, however. Subtle warning signs are there if you know where and how to look. By the time you begin coughing or wheezing, its too late. Your lungs are already congested and compromised. Thats why you need to pay close attention to the subtle signs. Follow the asthma treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.
The following management tools are proven to be excellent for anticipating, treating, and shortening an asthma attack. Always keep in mind that the real goal is to prevent or minimize asthma symptoms.
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Having An Asthma Action Plan
You and your doctor will also put together an asthma action plan. This is a personalised set of instructions that includes a list of your usual asthma medications and doses, guidance on what to do in different situations , and your doctors contact details.
What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma
While symptoms vary from person to person, the most common signs of mild asthma include:
- difficulty breathing feeling breathless, even while resting, or being unable to finish full sentences before needing to take another breath
- wheezing making a whistling sound while breathing
- coughing either at specific times or after certain activities
During a severe asthma attack, you may notice more serious symptoms, such as:
- feeling very distressed, exhausted or even limp from trying to breathe
- deep sucking motions at the throat or chest while trying to breathe
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How Do I Know If Other Medicines Im Taking Are Making My Asthma Worse
Any medicine can cause wheezing or shortness of breath if youre allergic to it. If you notice that your asthma gets worse every time you take a certain medicine, tell your doctor as soon as possible. If you use a peak flow meter to check your asthma, tell your doctor if you see changes in your peak flow readings after you take a certain medicine. Your doctor can decide whether your medicine should be changed.
Preventer Medication For Children With Asthma
Some children with asthma need to take a regular preventer. This can be an inhaled corticosteroid .
There is also non-steroid medication available, including a tablet.
Talk to your doctor about the best type of medication for your child this usually depends on the childs symptoms and age, as well as how easy it will be to give properly.
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Medications That May Worsen Asthma
Some medicines can trigger asthma flare-ups or prompt or worsen other respiratory symptoms, such as coughing. Inform every healthcare provider that treats you about your asthma and pay attention to asthma symptoms if you take any of the following medications.
- Beta-blockers: While cardio-specific beta-blockers are only supposed to act on the heart, older beta-blockers are known to worsen asthma symptoms.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in those with an allergy to NSAIDs
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Why Asthma Management Is Important
Medication is essential to manage asthma well. Good asthma care also involves treating other conditions that can affect asthma, such as hay fever.
A healthy lifestyle can help you stay in control of your asthma symptoms and feel well.With good asthma management, you can lead a normal, active life. Following your personal written asthma action plan, developed with your doctor, is the best way to keep your asthma under control.
An action plan provides simple instructions for routinely managing your asthma, plus advice on what to do if your asthma symptoms flare up.The main aims of asthma treatment are to:
- keep symptoms under control
- keep lungs as healthy as possible
- stop asthma from interfering with school or work
- help you or your child enjoy a full and active life.
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Steroid Preventer Inhalers For Asthma
Preventer inhalers contain a low dose of steroids to prevent inflammation in your airways over time. This means youre less likely to react to your asthma triggers.
If youve been prescribed a preventer inhaler and are using it correctly, youre less likely to need to take steroid tablets, says Dr Andy. Also, theres very clear evidence that if you dont smoke, your preventer inhaler works better, so youre less likely to need steroid tablets.
Your steroid preventer inhaler is an essential part of your asthma care. It lowers your risk of symptoms and an asthma attack. You need to take it every day as prescribed, even if you feel well, to keep your airways protected. This is because it works away in the background to prevent inflammation building up in your airways. If you stop taking it that protection will stop.
Dont stop taking your steroid preventer inhaler before speaking to your GP or asthma nurse. You need your preventer every day to keep the inflammation down in your airways and lower your risk of an asthma attack.
If youre on a high dose, your body can really miss it if you stop it suddenly, says Dr Andy.
Always talk to your GP first before stopping any medicine they have prescribed. And remember to collect your repeat prescription before your inhaler runs out.
Will Medicine Help Me Breathe Better When I Exercise
Yes. Exercising, particularly in cold air, may cause airway swelling or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction . Quick-relief asthma medicines, taken before exercise, usually control this. If you need repeated doses of quick-relief medicine during and after exercise talk with your doctor. Your medicines may need to be adjusted. Thanks to these medicines, many Olympic and professional athletes have successful sports careers even with their asthma.
It is important for everyone, including people with asthma, to be as active as possible for good health. Talk with your doctor about how you can be physically active while keeping your asthma well-controlled.
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Experts Say This May Actually Increase The Risk Of More Serious Symptoms
There is an ongoing major burden of inappropriate and dangerous rescue inhaler overuse in asthma, and our paper highlights the complexity of the problem with multiple reasons patients are over-prescribed SABA inhalers, said researcher Paul Pfeffer. The findings are a call for more detailed research into interventions to reduce the inappropriate SABA overuse in different patient groups.
Can Allergy Shots Treat My Asthma
Children who get allergy shots are less likely to get asthma, recent studies show, but there are asthma shots specifically for adolescents and adults. Since allergies are an asthma trigger, it makes sense that if you control them, youâll have fewer asthma attacks.
Ask your doctor if allergy shots might work for you.
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Asthma Lifestyle Home Remedies
In addition to following your treatment plan, you can try:
- Breathing exercises. These can lower the amount of medication you need to control your symptoms.
- Herbal and natural remedies. Things that may help improve asthma symptoms include:
- Black seed oil . Some studies have shown that it can help open airways.
- Caffeine. Itâs a mild bronchodilator, meaning it can open your airways, but it doesnât work as fast as medications. Avoid caffeine for several hours before any medical appointment that might include a lung function test.
- Choline. This helps your body work the way it should. You can get it in meat, liver, eggs, poultry, fish, shellfish, peanuts, and cauliflower, or from a supplement.
- Pycnogenol. You can get this pine bark extract as a supplement.
Definition Of Uncontrolled Asthma
Uncontrolled asthma was defined by evidence of any of the following in the post-index period: moderate or severe exacerbation, treatment step up, above threshold SABA use or adrenaline use .4). Those who discontinued or stepped down from the respective dose ICS/LABA and then had any event were pre-defined as controlled, because those were considered as controlled with the respective dose of ICS/LABA before discontinuation or step down.
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Do I Need Antibiotics For An Asthma Attack
Antibiotics cannot help with asthma attacks and guidelines do not recommend routinely prescribing antibiotics after an asthma attack.
You should only be prescribed antibiotics after an asthma attack if there is strong evidence that you have a bacterial infection. For example, a bacterial chest infection or pneumonia.
Find out what to do in an asthma attack.
What Is Bronchial Thermoplasty
Bronchial thermoplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure. It is for adults ages 18 and older with poor asthma control. These people have severe persistent asthma symptoms despite using standard therapy. This includes a combination of inhaled corticosteroids and a long-acting bronchodilator.
The procedure is performed in three outpatient visits under moderate or general anesthesia. A pulmonologist or other qualified physician inserts a long, slender tube called a bronchoscope into the lungs and surrounding airways. They then heat and shrink the size of muscle tissue. This allows more air to pass through and make breathing easier.
Side effects may include a short-term worsening of asthma symptoms. These side effects usually resolve within a week.
If you have severe and difficult-to-control asthma, talk with your doctor to determine if the procedure is right for you. Be sure to check your health insurance to confirm if the procedure is covered.
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How Do You Take Asthma Medications
Asthma inhalers
Asthma inhalers are the most common and effective way to deliver asthma medicine to your lungs. Theyâre available in several types that work in different ways. Some deliver one medication. Others contain two medications. Your doctor might give you:
- A metered-dose inhaler, which uses a small aerosol canister to push out a short burst of medication through a plastic mouthpiece
- A dry powder inhaler, which releases the medicine only when you take a deep breath
Asthma nebulizer
If youâre having trouble using small inhalers, your doctor may recommend a nebulizer. This machine changes asthma medications from a liquid to a mist so itâs easier to get the medicine into your lungs. It also has a mouthpiece or mask that makes it a good option for infants, small children, older adults, or anyone who has trouble using inhalers with spacers. It takes a few more minutes to use than an inhaler.
What Are The Different Types Of Delivery Devices For Asthma Medicines
You take most asthma medicines by breathing them in using an inhaler or nebulizer. An inhaler or nebulizer allows the medicine to go directly to your lungs. But some asthma medicines are in pill form, infusion form, or injectable form.
Inhalers
There are four types of asthma inhaler devices that deliver medicine: metered dose inhalers , dry powder inhalers , breath actuated inhalers, and soft mist inhalers.
- Metered dose inhalers have medicine plus a propellant. The propellant sprays the medicine out of the inhaler in a short burst.
- Dry powder inhalers do not have a propellant and do not spray the medicine out of the inhaler. The medicine is released from the inhaler when you breathe it in.
- Breath actuated inhalers have a dry powder or aerosol medicine. The medicine does not spray out of the inhaler. The medicine is released from the inhaler when you breathe it in.
- Soft mist inhalers do not have propellant, but they do spray the medicine out of the inhaler. They create a cloud of medicine that sprays out softly.
Different types of asthma devices
For inhalers to work well, you must use them correctly. But 70 to 90% of people who use inhalers make at least one mistake when using their inhaler.1 Inhaler mistakes can lead to uncontrolled asthma. Ask your doctor or nurse to watch you use your inhaler to make sure you are using it correctly.
Spacers and valved holding chambers
Nebulizers
Injectables
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How Is Asthma Treated
Asthma medicines play a central role in the asthma management. Some medications prevent or reduce airway inflammation. Others interrupt the allergic reaction that triggers symptoms. Some relieve coughing and wheezing, making it easier to breathe.
Your doctor will work with you to find the right combination of medicines for optimal asthma control. They will adjust the type and amount based on your symptoms and the type of asthma that you have. The goal of asthma treatment is to have you feel your best with the least amount of medicine needed to control asthma.
Get to know your medications.
Understand how and why they treat and soothe your lungs and airways. If youre prescribed an inhaler, ask for one with a dose counter. Learn when and how youre supposed to use your inhaler and follow your plan to better breathing.
Demographic And Clinical Characteristics Of The Sample Asthma Cohort
A total of 1132 patients with a diagnosis of asthma were identified across the 3 general practices . The mean age was 39.9 years. A total of 762 were prescribed GINA step 2-5 treatment with an ICS ± additional controller medication across both 2019 and 2020 allowing comparisons of usage before and during the pandemic. An additional 120 patients were newly initiated on ICS in 2020. The remaining 250 patients were treated with salbutamol alone across the 2-year period of study .
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