How Do I Treat Asthma
Allergists are specially trained to help you take control of your asthma so that you can live the life you want. They will work with you to identify what triggers your asthma and then build a plan to help you avoid and manage those triggers. They may also prescribe medication or, in some cases, allergy immunotherapy.
If you have asthma, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you wherever you are at work, at school or on vacation. Albuterol is a particularly effective, fast-acting treatment to relax the muscles around your airways so you can breathe easier. If your asthma is severe or uncontrolled, your allergist may speak to you about biologics treatment or a procedure called bronchial thermoplasty.
How Is A Severe Asthma Attack Treated At The Hospital
If you experience difficulty breathing that does not improve with at-home treatment, seek medical attention.
Asthma treatment at the hospital could include typical at-home asthma medications combined with additional treatments such as supplemental oxygen, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids.
Some cases of asthma are so severe that a healthcare provider could recommend a procedure called bronchial thermoplastythat uses heat to soften the airways that constrict during an asthma attack.
The length of hospitalization can vary from person to person. Some people with severe asthma are treated in the emergency room but never admitted to the hospital. Regardless of admission, anyone who is treated at a hospital will be sent home with instructions on how to treat their asthma at home.
Discharge instructions following an asthma attack will advise the patient to avoid allergy triggers and follow up with their provider to adjust the asthma plan as needed. The instructions could also include additional medications, such as oral corticosteroids, to treat and prevent future attacks.
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.
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Who Can Get Asthma
Anyone can develop asthma at any age. People with allergies or people exposed to tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke are more likely to develop asthma.
Statistics show women tend to have asthma more than men, and asthma affects Black Americans more frequently than other races.
When a child develops asthma, healthcare providers call it childhood asthma. If it develops later in life, its adult-onset asthma.
Children do not outgrow asthma. They may have fewer symptoms as they get older, but they could still have an asthma attack. Your childs healthcare provider can help you understand the risks.
What Are The Signs That I Might Have Asthma
Do you have a regular cough that you just cant seem to kick? Do you struggle to catch your breath? Is there a whistling or wheezing sound when you breathe? These can all be signs of asthma. Other common symptoms include chest tightness and shortness of breath. The key with asthma is that symptoms come back over and over again. Your allergist can evaluate whether your symptoms are a sign of asthma.
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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
What Is Asthma Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention
Asthma is a common chronic lung disease in which the lungs’ bronchial tubes, or airways, become inflamed.
Want to know more about asthma? Read on to learn what experts know about this breathing disorder, why some people develop it and others dont, lifestyle changes that can help you manage asthma, and how to avoid complications linked to the condition.
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How Can You Tell If You Have Asthma
It can be hard to tell if someone has asthma, especially in children under age 5. Having a doctor check how well your lungs work and check for allergies can help you find out if you have asthma.
During a checkup, a doctor will ask if you cough a lot, especially at night. He or she will also ask whether your breathing problems are worse after physical activity or at certain times of year. The doctor will then ask about chest tightness, wheezing, and colds lasting more than 10 days. He or she will ask whether anyone in your family has or has had asthma, allergies, or other breathing problems. Finally, the doctor will ask questions about your home and whether you have missed school or work or have trouble doing certain things.
The doctor may also do a breathing test, called spirometry, to find out how well your lungs are working by testing how much air you can breathe out after taking a very deep breath before and after you use asthma medicine.
Can Asthma Be Prevented
Asthma cant be prevented entirely, but there are some practical ways to reduce the risk of an asthma attack and live well with asthma.
- Get vaccinated for influenza: flu and other respiratory viruses are common triggers for asthma.
- Manage any allergies: asthma and allergies are closely linked, so treating allergic rhinitis and avoiding or managing any allergy triggers will help with your asthma.
- Live smoke-free: quit smoking if you smoke, and avoid any second-hand smoke .
- Eat well: a balanced diet helps you to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese makes asthma harder to manage.
- Care for yourself: mental health and asthma are linked, so let a trusted friend or your doctor know if you have been feeling sad or anxious, or dont enjoy things as much as before.
- See your doctor regularly: asthma needs to be regularly assessed and managed, and your medication needs may change over time. Ensure your asthma action plan is up to date by checking in with your doctor regularly.
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How Do You Monitor Asthma Symptoms
Monitoring your asthma symptoms is an essential piece of managing the disease. Your healthcare provider may have you use a peak flow meter. This device measures how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It can help your provider make adjustments to your medication. It also tells you if your symptoms are getting worse.
What Asthma Treatment Options Are There
You have options to help manage your asthma. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to control symptoms. These include:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines: These medicines reduce swelling and mucus production in your airways. They make it easier for air to enter and exit your lungs. Your healthcare provider may prescribe them to take every day to control or prevent your symptoms.
- Bronchodilators: These medicines relax the muscles around your airways. The relaxed muscles let the airways move air. They also let mucus move more easily through the airways. These medicines relieve your symptoms when they happen.
- Biologic therapies for asthma when symptoms persist despite being on proper inhaler therapy.
You can take asthma medicines in several different ways. You may breathe in the medicines using a metered-dose inhaler, nebulizer or other inhaler. Your healthcare provider may prescribe oral medications that you swallow.
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Avoid Colds And Viral Infections
Colds and viruses are a common trigger for children, especially during the winter months and when they return to school.
- Keep your childs asthma under control by giving them their medication as prescribed.
- Keep a written asthma management plan to monitor their symptoms and to make sure, you know what to do when their asthma symptoms get worse.
- Stop the spread of colds and infections by is sure your child washes their hands.
What Should I Do If I Suffer An Asthma Attack
The best way to handle an asthma attack is to be prepared. Your allergist can help you create an asthma action plan, which can include specific steps to prevent and manage an asthma attack.
If an attack does occur, stay calm and use the medications your allergist has prescribed. These are typically administered with an inhaler.
Seek medical treatment if your coughing or shortness of breath persists or seems to get worse.
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Teva’s Approvals: Airduo And Armonair
In January 2017, Teva’s AirDuo RespiClick was FDA-approved for adolescent and adult patients with asthma. In July 2019, the AirDuo Digihaler was approved.
- AirDuo Respiclick is a combination corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist. It is a breath-activated, dry powder inhaler formulations. AirDuo contains the same active ingredients as Advair Diskus.
- AirDuo RespiClick or Digihaler are available in three different strengths and are administered as one inhalation twice daily.
- AirDuo Digihaler, which can be used with a mobile app, contains a built-in electronic module that records data about inhaler events. It detects when the inhaler is used and measures inspiratory flow rates. AirDuo Digihaler does not need to be connected to the app in order to use the medicine.
- The most common side effects for AirDuo includes nasopharyngitis , headache, cough, back pain, and oral candidiasis .
ArmonAir RespiClick has been discontinued by the manufacturer, but ArmonAir Digihaler was approved in February 2020 to take it’s place. This Digihaler works similar to the AirDuo product.
- ArmonAir Digihaler contains only the corticosteroid fluticasone, the same active ingredient as Flovent.
- ArmonAir Digihaler is also available in three strengths and it is taken as one inhalation twice daily.
- The most common side effects for ArmonAir Digihaler includes nasopharyngitis , headache, cough, upper respiratory tract infections, back pain, and oral candidiasis .
What Is An Asthma Trigger
A trigger is anything that irritates your airways. Asthma is caused by two types of triggers.
- Allergic trigger: cause allergic reactions. Allergic triggers include things like dust mites, pollens, moulds, pet dander,
- Non-allergic trigger: are usually irritants. Non-allergic triggers include things like smoke, cold air, certain air pollutants, intense emotions
Learn more about different types of asthma triggers and how to manage them.
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When To See A Doctor Or Go To The Hospital
If you haven’t yet been diagnosed with asthma, see your doctor if you have frequent wheezing or coughing that lasts for more than a few days.
If you are diagnosed with asthma, you will then work on keeping your condition under control and monitoring your condition to see if it is getting worse rather than better. When asthma is not well controlled, you can likely expect to experience one or more of the following:
- You become more aware of your wheezing.
- You develop a cough that won’t go away.
- You cough more at night or in cold weather.
- You cough or wheeze with physical activity.
- You get less relief from quick-relief medications.
- You have more trouble falling asleep or getting a good night’s rest.
- You get easily tired of tasks you can normally complete.
- Your allergy symptoms worsen.
- You are less able to identify when an attack is about to begin.
- You have a downturn in your peak expiratory flow rate .
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor to determine whether there have been significant changes in your respiratory health. Spirometry and other tests may be used to evaluate the extent of these changes and what, if any, revisions to your treatment plan need to be made.
Go to the emergency room if any of the following occur:
Breathing: Normal Airways Vs Asthma Airways
Normal: In someone with optimal lung function, air is inhaled through the nose and mouth, passing through the trachea before moving into the bronchi . The bronchi branch into smaller tubes, ending in many small sacs called alveoli. Its in the alveoli that oxygen is passed to the blood and carbon dioxide is removed.
Asthma: In someone with asthma, the airways are inflamed, and when triggered, can constrict even more, obstructing airflow to the lungs.
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How Is Asthma Treated And Controlled
Asthma treatment is aimed at controlling airway inflammation and avoiding known allergy triggers, like pet dander and pollen. The main goals are to restore normal breathing, prevent asthma attacks and restore daily activities.
Daily asthma treatment helps to prevent symptoms, and asthma inhalers are the preferred method because the drug can be delivered directly into the lungs in smaller doses with less side effects. Some agents are given by injection or in pill form, too.
There’s only one over-the-counter inhaler for asthma. In November 2018, the FDA announced that Primatene Mist inhaler would return as the only FDA-approved asthma inhaler available without a prescription in the U.S. Primatene Mist is used to temporarily relieve mild symptoms of intermittent asthma in people ages 12 and older.
- You can view the new step-by-step directions for the new Primatene Mist.
- See your doctor for advice about use of any asthma treatment.
Can You Prevent Asthma
You need to know hoGw to prevent or minimize future asthma attacks.
- If your asthma attacks are triggered by an allergic reaction, avoid your triggers as much as possible.
- Keep taking your asthma medicines after you are discharged. This is extremely important. Although the symptoms of an acute asthma attack go away after appropriate treatment, asthma itself never goes away.
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Diagnosing Asthma In Children Younger Than 6
It can be hard to tell whether a child under age 6 has asthma or another respiratory condition, because young children often cannot perform a pulmonary function test such as spirometry. After checking a childs history and symptoms, the doctor may try asthma medicines for a few months to see how well a child responds. About 40% of children who wheeze when they get colds or respiratory infections are eventually diagnosed with asthma.
Different Types Of Asthma:
Doctors often use the words mild, moderate and severe to describe asthma.
Here is some explaining what they mean.
- Mild: Coughs and wheezes but plays happily and feeds well
- Moderate: Waking at night, cant run around or play without cough or wheeze.
- Severe: Too restless to sleep, unwilling to play at all, too breathless to talk or feed, lips going blue.
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Are Asthma Medicines Expensive
Many asthma treatments are available generically and can save money however, some asthma treatments are expensive. Inhaler medications have been reformulated to be more safe for the environment and some brands can be very expensive
However, generic albuterol inhalers are now available at the pharmacy, and can save you money. On average, a generic albuterol inhaler using an online coupon costs roughly $25 to $35 cash, per inhaler. It may be even more affordable if you have Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance.
- Patients should talk with their doctor when getting their prescription to be sure they can afford their medications less costly alternatives may be available.
- Online coupons may help to lessen the sticker shock, too.
- Use generics when you can to save money.
Drugs to control asthma are usually taken every day, so it is important to work with your prescriber and pharmacist to find treatments you can afford. Check with your insurance carrier for their cost information.
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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Do You Know What Type Of Asthma You Have
Asthma is a disease that affects your airways, which carry air in and out of your lungs. The type of asthma you have depends on your specific triggers.
Thanks to advances in asthma research, doctors have been able to identify the different types of asthma. The five most common types of asthma are: exercise-induced bronchospasm , allergic asthma, cough-variant asthma, occupational asthma, and nocturnal or nighttime asthma. EIB occurs after physical exertion. Its not always easy to determine which type of asthma you have. Proper diagnosis and regular communication with your doctor can help you to determine the best course of action.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease, so its important to receive treatment as soon as possible to ensure that your condition doesnt worsen.
Learn More About the Types of Asthma
Medical History And Physical Exam
Your doctor will ask about your risk factors for asthma and your symptoms. They may ask also about any known allergies. This includes how often symptoms occur, what seems to trigger your symptoms, when or where symptoms occur, and if your symptoms wake you up at night.
During the physical exam, your doctor may:
- Listen to your breathing and look for symptoms of asthma
- Look for allergic skin conditions, such as eczema
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