What Are The Traditional Remedies For Asthma
Unfortunately, asthma is a long-term condition, and at present, there is no permanent cure. When it comes to treatment, the goal is to control the condition which involves:
- Preventing chronic issues such as coughing fits.
- Reducing reliance on quick-relief medication.
- Enabling you to sleep through the night and maintaining your existing activity level.
- Preventing serious asthma attacks that require immediate medical attention.
Asthma management involves discovering your triggers and avoiding them. In terms of medication, patients may be prescribed a variety of inhaled medications.
Medical Research On Marijuana For Asthma
Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used cannabis to treat various conditions, including possibly asthma? Legendary French writer, Marcel Proust used cannabis to manage his asthmatic symptoms so much so that he referred to his joints as anti-asthma cigarettes. In the 1920s, when it was still legal in many states, physicians often prescribed cannabis concoctions as a cough medication.
Then, prohibition kicked in and the tobacco industry swelled to an extraordinary level. Once the link between cigarettes and lung cancer was uncovered, all forms of smoking were labeled as extremely dangerous.
In the modern era, studies on the benefits of marijuana for asthma sufferers are virtually non-existent. We do know, however, that some molecular variations of THC can produce a bronchodilatory effect. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, and cannabis is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Ventolin if you are allergic to albuterol.
Ventolin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 4 years old.
Albuterol may increase the risk of death or hospitalization in people with asthma, but the risk in people with obstructive airway disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not known.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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diabetes; or
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low levels of potassium in your blood.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether albuterol will harm an unborn baby. However, having uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, or eclampsia . The benefit of preventing bronchospasm may outweigh any risks to the baby.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of albuterol on the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Ventolin HFA. Ask your doctor about any risk.
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Diagnosed With Asthma But An Inhaler Isnt Helping
A. Bettina Lopez-Lam, MS, CCC-SLP contributes to topics such as Speech-Language Pathology.
Having trouble breathing is always a scary experience. But if youve been diagnosed with asthma, and your inhaler doesnt help during these attacks, it can be frustrating, too.
Patients experiencing asthma symptoms can be misdiagnosed when in fact they are suffering from vocal cord dysfunction .
VCD is an abnormal narrowing of the larynx. Its a dysfunction of the vocal cords where the cords actually close up when a patient breathes in, making the patient feel like they cant breathe in and are being strangled, says A. Bettina Lopez-Lam, MS, CCC-SLP, senior speech-language pathologist, Bayshore Medical Center.
VCD causes many of the same symptoms as asthma:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest and throat tightness
- Trouble breathing
But the hallmark of VCD compared to asthma is trouble getting air in and tightness that feels like choking or suffocation.
Not Checking The Opening Of The Inhaler For Debris
Depending on where you keep your asthma inhaler, the opening can collect all sorts of things – dimes, lint, crumbs, etc. Always check the opening! I heard of a woman who pulled her inhaler out of her purse, didn’t check the opening and inhaled a dime that was stuck in the inhaler. I have a family member who keeps his inhaler in his pocket and he inhaled – you guessed it – lint.
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The Less Albuterol The Better
When you cant breathe, you know as well as any other asthmatic that you will do just about anything to get your breathing back to normal. Asthma attacks can be a frightening experience! Being a doctor that specializes in asthma treatment, the frequency of albuterol use is one of the tools used to gauge asthma control less albuterol means better asthma control! We now have so many asthma controllers to choose fromworking together we can find the right program for your particular type of asthma. ;
That said, if youre experiencing symptoms, its appropriate to address those symptoms with your inhaler. We use the Rule of Two and the Rule of Four not to restrict your inhaler use, but to identify when your asthma could use a little more clinical attention. The goal of that clinical attention is to let you forget about your inhaler for a whileor, at least, not use it so often.
Trust me, your albuterol inhaler wont mind not being your best friend!
If you have questions or concerns about your asthma program, feel free to contact Dr. Bubak at Dakota Allergy and Asthma at .
Final Thoughts On The Discussion Of Marijuana Treatment For Asthma
Some have argued in the past that marijuana is an effective treatment for asthma because it has anti-inflammatory properties and could help open the bronchial tubes. While there is evidence out there to support both of these notions, much more research is required in order to make the claim that marijuana can treat asthma or improve an asthmatic condition.
Much more research is required in order to make the claim that marijuana can treat asthma or improve an asthmatic condition.
And of course, we certainly dont recommend smoking in any form if you have asthma. And while vaporizing cannabis may result in less coughing, there is still virtually no data on its long-term respiratory health effects.
All things considered, edibles and oils are arguably the best way to consume cannabis if you have asthma. They make take a little longer to work, but theyre almost certainly not as harmful to the lungs as smoke inhalation.
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Keep Medications In A Cool Dry Place
A person should store inhalers at a controlled room temperature of about 77°F , though a range of 5986°F is usually safe.
Leaving medication in a car or another environment likely to experience extreme temperature changes can reduce its effectiveness.
If this happens, consult a doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend replacing the product.
Sharing Is Caring But Should You Share An Inhaler
Is it appropriate for asthma patients to share inhalers? It happened recently when two Texas middle school students shared a quick-relief albuterol inhaler. The students had also unknowingly violated a school policy that prohibited sharing prescription medications such as inhalers and both were suspended from school.
David Stukus, MD, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and Sally Schoessler, RN, Director of Education for Allergy & Asthma Network and a former school nurse, recently weighed in on the topic in this Q&A:
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Forget To Shake The Canister
Your inhaler has medicine to help your breathing and a âpropellantâ that helps push it into your lungs. You shake the canister to mix them so you get the right amount of each. If you donât, you might get too much of one and too little of the other. Instead: Shake the canister fairly hard 10 to 15 times before you use it.
What Drugs Are In The Inhaler
Many inhalers contain steroids, like prednisone, to treat inflammation. Others have a type of drug called a bronchodilator to open up your airways. Some have both — this is known as a combination inhaler.
Anti-inflammatory asthma inhalers prevent asthma attacks and reduce swelling and mucus in your airways. They include:
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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.
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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Dosage To Prevent Exercise
Adult dosage
- The typical dosage is 2 inhalations taken by mouth, taken 1530 minutes before starting exercise.
Child dosage
- The typical dosage is 2 inhalations taken by mouth, taken 1530 minutes before starting exercise.
Child dosage
The safety and effectiveness of this drug hasnt been established in children younger than 4 years old.
Senior dosage
Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dose may cause levels of the drug to be higher than normal. If youre a senior, you may need a lower dose or a different schedule.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Albuterol is used for short-term and long-term treatment. You can use this drug during flare-ups for your asthma. You might also need to take this drug long-term to relieve shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing due to your asthma.
Albuterol comes with risks if you dont take it as prescribed.
If you stop taking the drug or dont take it at all: If you dont take albuterol at all, your asthma might get worse. This can lead to irreversible scarring of your airway. Youll likely have shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
- fast heart rate
- arrhythmia
- jitteriness
Inhaler And Tablet Dosage
Adults and kids over age 4 in need of albuterol to prevent or treat bronchospasms can take two puffs every four to six hours, Horovitz said.;To prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, the Mayo Clinic says adults and children over 4 can take two inhaler puffs about 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.
But “if you’re using albuterol more than twice a week, there’s something wrong with your regimen, and you need to consult a doctor,” he said.;
Albuterol can be taken as a nebulized solution or as an aerosol that can be inhaled by mouth through an inhaler.;
Aerosol inhaler albuterol comes in canisters designed to provide about 200 inhalations. After using the exact number of inhalations, it is important to throw the canister away, even if it still contains some liquid and continues to spray. Once the listed number of puffs has been exceeded, the inhaler may not provide the correct amount of medicine. Some inhalers come with a counter that keeps track of the number of sprays used. When the number reaches 020, it is time to call the doctor for a refill. If there is no counter, patients must keep track of inhalations on their own.
The;National Institutes for Health; has step-by-step instructions for using an inhaler and a nebulizer.
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Let’s Flashback To The Past
So, Im fifteen-years-old. Its 1985. Im what doctors call a “high-risk” asthmatic. Im puffing on inhalers an awful lot!;For instance, Im a first-generation albuterol puffer. I’m also a first-generation inhaled corticosteroid puffer.
Worse, I use albuterol a lot more than what the package insert recommends. I often go through more than one albuterol inhaler in a month. My dose of ICS is high, too. The one I’m prescribed is Azmacort. My prescription is for 4 puffs 4 times a day. Like, that’s a lot of puffs. In fact, I puff so much I’m an inaugural member of the Ventolin Club.
I’m a worrier. Maybe it’s because I’m a natural thinker. Maybe it’s because I’m a nervous kid. Maybe I’m nervous because of all the medicine I take. For instance, albuterol is similar to adrenaline. It can cause a person to become jittery and nervous.1
So, I often think things like: What are the long-term effects of all this puffing?
Wait One Minute Between Puffs
A pharmacist told me there are a couple of reasons why. The 1st puff will go about halfway through the lungs and stop. Since the 1st puff has cleared a path, that makes it easier for the 2nd puff to quickly travel through the first part of lungs, then plow through to the end of the lungs. The other reason is that it gives the propellant and medicine time to swirl around and mix.
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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 Should I Use Ventolin
Use Ventolin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Do not allow a young child to use Ventolin without help from an adult.
To prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, use this medicine 15 to 30 minutes before you exercise. The effects of Ventolin should last about 4 to 6 hours.
Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your asthma medications are not working as well.
Ventolin HFA must be shaken well before each use.
Always use the new inhaler device provided with your refill. Do not float a medicine canister in water to see if it is empty.
Your dose needs may change due to surgery, illness, stress, or a recent asthma attack. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor’s advice.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, or cold temperatures.
Store Ventolin HFA with the mouthpiece down.
Keep the inhaler canister away from open flame or high heat. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.
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Move Away From Triggers
The presence of asthma triggers wont only cause an attack, they can also make your symptoms worse. Be sure to try to get away from things that may be triggering your asthma attack.
For example, if youre in an area where people are smoking cigarettes, you should move away promptly.
Its also important to know your triggers. Common triggers include:
- allergens, such as pet dander, pollen, or certain foods
You should always be sure to seek immediate emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms during an asthma attack:
- your symptoms continue to get worse even after treatment
- you cant speak except in short words or phrases
- youre straining your chest muscles in an effort to breathe
- your shortness of breath or wheezing is severe, particularly in the early morning or late-night hours
- you begin to feel drowsy or tired
- your lips or face appear blue when youre not coughing
Symptoms that indicate that you could be experiencing an asthma attack include:
- severe shortness of breath
Humidifiers And Air Filters
Wheezing can be triggered and exacerbated by low humidity and airborne particles that cause constriction of the bronchioles. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, particularly during winter months, and can aid with sleep by reducing mouth and nasal dryness .
Some humidifiers are equipped with HEPA filters that can remove pollen, dust, and other irritants from the air. Alternatively, you can buy a separate multifilter air purifier equipped with both a HEPA filter and an activated charcoal filter.
Choose an air purifier that’s the appropriate size for the room it will be used in and has a fine particle rating of 2.5 , meaning it can remove some of the finest airborne particles.
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