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:
- easy bruising
- 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.
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Move To Another Location
Asthma patients suffer an attack in case of a trigger. If you know the possible triggers of the victim, you should get him or her moved to another location to get them away from the trigger. An asthma attack can occur due to pollen, dust, animal dander, mold, dirt, gases, and many other reasons. Some people even suffer an attack when they get excited. You should ask the person, if possible, about the possible trigger and move them to a safe location.
Consider taking a CPR online and first aid class to learn about skills that can help save the life of the asthma victim. In a CPR online class, you will learn about the steps to provide assistance to a victim who is not breathing. With the online class, you can go beyond the basic first aid skills and learn about important lifesaving skills.
Make sure that you select the right CPR online class to learn about lifesaving skills. Apart from helping an asthma patient, you can assist people in different emergency situations when you know CPR and basic first aid. The skills learned in the CPR online class will allow you to help drowning, choking, and heart attack victims.
Feel Your Feet Against The Floor And Feel The Gravity Pulling Your Body Down And Anchoring You
One of the most effective ways to calm your mind is to focus on your body. When experiencing panic, many people experience a flight response to stress and feel like they want to jump out of their skin, Marter states. Focusing on feeling grounded will help them to feel more rooted and calm. In my practice, Ive found that offering people a blanket or throw to wrap around their shoulders and body creates a cocoon sensation which has a calming effect.
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After An Asthma Attack
For several days following a flare-up you are at greater risk of additional asthma attacks. During this time period:
- Avoid your asthma triggers
- Use a peak flow monitor to keep track of your breathing
- As always, take your medications as instructed, even when you feel great
When you stray from your doctors orders regarding asthma treatment, you put yourself at risk of a serious condition called airway remodeling.
Severe asthma attacks can cause brain damage or death.
In this condition, your lungs become scarred. This reduces the effectiveness of your asthma medications and weakens your ability to breathe. You can avoid airway remodeling by working with your doctor to develop and maintain a treatment plan that works for you, reducing your risk of asthma attacks.
If you need medical assistance, contact CareFinders at 1-866-608-FIND to make an appointment with a physician, or call 911 immediately if it is an emergency.
Can You Die From An Asthma Attack
People with asthma can sometimes have asthma attacks. When this happens, their airways become inflamed and narrowed, making it hard to breathe.
Asthma attacks can be serious and can also be fatal. During a severe asthma attack you may not get enough oxygen into your lungs and can even stop breathing.
Receiving proper treatment for an asthma attack is vital. Thats why its so important to follow the asthma action plan youve developed with your doctor and to seek emergency treatment when necessary.
Read on to learn more about asthma attacks, when to seek emergency care, and the risk factors associated with asthma death.
The symptoms of an asthma attack can include:
- coughing or wheezing
- having trouble breathing
- a tight feeling in your chest
A mild asthma attack may last only a few minutes and respond to rescue medication. However, moderate or severe asthma attacks may last longer and, in some cases, dont respond to rescue medication.
asthma emergency!
Recognizing the warning signs that an asthma attack may be coming can help you to summon help quickly if one does occur. Some warning signs to look out for include:
- asthma symptoms that have become more frequent or disruptive to your day-to-day activities
- needing to use your rescue inhaler more often
- having symptoms that are keeping you up at night
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Is A Pulmonologist Or Asthma Specialist Right For Me
If you are finding that your asthma isnt being adequately controlled with the help of your primary care doctor, you should consider being referred to an asthma specialist or pulmonologist. If you are needing to use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, or are needing more than one or two courses of oral steroids in a year, a Pulmonologist or asthma specialist may be beneficial for you. For people with allergy-driven asthma, an allergist is the way to go. Theyre the experts on how to help you gain control over your allergies that set off your asthma.
If the asthma diagnosis is in question or not determined completely yet, a Pulmonologist has the tools and capabilities for complete lung function testing and other tests that can better confirm or rule out asthma.
I am a firm believer that most asthmatics should be followed by a specialist. There are many amazing primary/general practitioner doctors out there that are equipped to handle mild intermittent asthma however, in my opinion, an asthma specialist or Pulmonologist is a better choice. I was followed by my primary care doctor for many years until my asthma started being more bothersome and my doctor referred me to a Pulmonologist.
Both specialists are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. If your asthma is classified as more than mild intermittent, I would highly recommend being referred to a specialist.
Work With Your Healthcare Team To Control Your Asthma
Asthma is variable your asthma symptoms can get better or worse. If you know how to take care of your asthma every day, you can avoid getting asthma attacks.Your health-care team can teach you how to manage your asthma symptoms. They can help you fill out a written asthma action plan. Your asthma action plan tells you exactly how to treat your symptoms, and what to do when your symptoms get worse.
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What Are The Signs Of An Allergic Reaction
Understanding the signs of an allergic reaction could save your life or the life of someone you know. Although many food allergies are mild, some are quite severe and could cause breathing problems if not addressed immediately.
If you suspect that someone is having trouble breathing, or if you feel your airway constricting after eating a specific type of food, get to a hospital immediately. There are several different types of symptoms of allergic reactions, and everyone is different. The most common signs are as follows:
- Short breaths and problems breathing
- A sudden rash or hives
- Nausea or vomiting
Personal Asthma Action Plan
As part of your initial assessment, you should be encouraged to draw up a personal asthma action plan with your GP or asthma nurse.
If you’ve been admitted to hospital because of an asthma attack, you should be offered an action plan before you go home.
The action plan should include information about your asthma medicines, and will help you recognise when your symptoms are getting worse and what steps to take. You should also be given information about what to do if you have an asthma attack.
Your personal asthma action plan should be reviewed with your GP or asthma nurse at least once a year, or more frequently if your symptoms are severe.
As part of your asthma plan, you may be given a peak flow meter. This will give you another way of monitoring your asthma, rather than relying only on symptoms, so you can recognise deterioration earlier and take appropriate steps.
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How Do I Get A Referral To A Pulmonologist
You dont have to wait for your primary care provider to refer you to a pulmonary specialist. If you feel you need one, you can self-refer, if you have PPO insurance, or you can request a referral from your primary care provider. If your primary care provider doesnt want to give you a referral, speak to your health insurance company as it is within your rights to see a specialist if you have reason to believe you need one.
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What To Do When Your Asthma Gets Out Of Control
- Mild Asthma Attack
- Wheezing
- Person may also be restless, irritable and/or very tired
STEP 1: Immediately use fast-acting reliever inhaler . Use a spacer if provided.
STEP 2: Check symptoms. Only return to normal activity when all symptoms are gone. If symptoms get worse or do not improve within 10 minutes, this is an emergency follow steps below.
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Asthma Symptoms Childhood Vs Adult
Childhood asthma symptoms are generally similar to adult asthma symptoms. However, determining asthma symptoms in children can be a bit more difficult. Adult asthma symptoms are easier to determine since an adult can tell you how they are feeling plus they know their body better. Although you can see and hear the coughing and shortness of breath in younger children, they may not be able to let you know how they are feeling. Plus young children are not able to do a breathing test called spirometry.
- Not being able to keep up with other children while running around
- Having a hard time catching their breath or breathing faster than other children who are doing the same thing
- Looks like they have a cold, which could actually be asthma
- Coughing, especially at night
- Coughing so hard that they vomit
- You may hear wheezing
- If you notice any of these typical childhood asthma symptoms, see your doctor to find out if it is due to asthma.
What Action Should You Take If You Or Someone Youre With Is Having An Asthma Attack
Most asthma patients will have an asthma action plan in place, which outlines what to do in such an event. However, if youre not familiar with their plan, or the asthma attack catches you or them off guard, there are a number of practical steps to take to help deal with the situation.
- Phone the medical emergency number of the country youre in, or get someone else to phone for you, and ask for an ambulance
- Remain as calm as you can, as stress can make asthma worse. Be calm and reassuring if youre with someone whos having an attack
- Breathe slowly and deeply, or encourage the person youre with to do so
- Sit upright in a comfortable position and loosen any tight clothing leaning forward slightly may aid breathing during an asthma attack, so try sitting the wrong way round on a chair and lean forward onto its back
- Use your asthma reliever inhaler while you wait for help if there is a spacer to hand, use that to deliver the medication, as a spacer helps the puffs of an inhaler get into the airways more efficiently
- Stay with the person until help arrives and keep monitoring them. If they seem drowsy or exhausted, it could mean their asthma is getting worse.
Be aware that cold air can make asthma symptoms worse, so avoid taking someone having an asthma attack outside.
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Allergic Asthma And Xolair Discussion Guides
These discussion guides can help you get the conversation started with a specialist.
Allergic Asthma Discussion Guide
If you have not yet been diagnosed with allergic asthma, then the Allergic Asthma Discussion Guide may be helpful when talking to your asthma specialist.
XOLAIR Discussion Guide
If you have allergic asthma and want to discuss treatment options with your asthma specialist, then the XOLAIR Discussion Guide may be helpful to you.
Childhood Vs Adult Symptoms
Children and adults generally have similar symptoms. But, identifying asthma symptoms in children can be more difficult, especially in younger children who may not be able to tell you how they are feeling.
Here are some things to watch for in your child that could indicate asthma:
- Not being able to keep up with other children while running around
- Having a hard time catching their breath or breathing faster than other children who are doing the same thing
- Looks like they have a cold, which could actually be asthma
- Coughing, especially at night
- Wheezing
- Feel restless, irritable and/or very tired
What to do:
STEP 1: Immediately use a fast-acting reliever inhaler . Use a spacer if provided.STEP 2: Check your symptoms. If they are gone, you can go back to your normal activities. If they symptoms get worse or do not improve within 10 minutes, this is an emergency. Follow the steps below.
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How Often Should You Take Peak Flow Measurements
Peak flow readings can be taken on a regular basis or only at certain times. Regular monitoring may be useful when you are first diagnosed with asthma to determine your normal peak flow rates. Regular monitoring is also important when your asthma is unstable, or for those who do not notice symptoms when their asthma starts getting out of control. If your peak flow rate has dropped below your normal, you can act quickly to get control before it becomes serious.
Triggers are the things that can cause your asthma symptoms. Each person has their own set of asthma triggers. Over time you can figure out what your asthma triggers are and take steps to reduce your exposure.
There are two types of asthma triggers:
- Allergens
- Irritants
Here are some tips that can help you stay active:
- Do not start exercising if you have any asthma symptoms
- Warm up by starting at a slower paceincrease the pace slowly
- If you need to take a reliever inhaler before exercising, it should be taken about 10-15 minutes before the activity
- If you develop asthma symptoms while exercising, stop immediatelyuse your reliever inhaler and do not start again unless your symptoms are completely gone.
- Consider exercising indoors when outdoor conditions may trigger your asthma
- When exercising in cold weather, cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or cold weather mask
- If symptoms continue, your asthma may not be under controlwork with your health-care provider to improve your asthma management
Managing And Controlling Your Asthma
Asthma is defined as a chronic condition, which means that you need to continuously monitor and manage your asthma throughout your lifetime. While there is currently no cure for asthma, with proper treatmentand management you can effectively control your asthma and live symptom-free.
Asthma treatment is successful if you learn all you can about your asthma including: symptoms,triggers,medications and ongoing asthma management to achieve control. You and you alone know how you feel and how your asthma is affecting you and you need to be responsible for acting when your asthma is not in good control.
Many people with asthma believe that their asthma is controlled but in fact, surveys have shown that most people accept levels of asthma control that fall far short of the standards described in the Canadian Consensus Asthma Guidelines. In order to control your asthma it is very important that you actually understand what good asthma control means.
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What To Expect When You Visit The Doctor
Your doctor may ask whether you have any family history of asthma, eczema or hay fever.
In children, doctors assess the severity of the asthma based on the pattern and frequency of the symptoms.
Lung function tests are difficult to perform in children younger than 5 years and so are usually only used to diagnose and assess severity in children 5 years and older.
It is recommended that a paediatrician or paediatric respiratory specialist diagnose and manage asthma in infants under 12 months. If your infant is wheezing your doctor should refer to you one of these specialists.
Can You Die From Asthma
If you have a severe asthma attack, it can prevent an adequate supply of oxygen from getting into your lungs and this could result in you stopping breathing. The situation can worsen quickly, especially without prompt medical intervention, which is why a severe asthma attack is regarded as a medical emergency.
In terms of how many people die from asthma, statistics show that about three people every day will suffer an asthma attack death.
According to the National Review of Asthma Deaths, a report produced by the Royal College of Physicians, asthma deaths in the UK are among the highest in Europe. They investigated 195 UK asthma deaths that occurred during one year and found that two in three of the deaths could have been prevented. Amongst the reasons for the asthma attack deaths, 65% of cases were influenced by patient factors that could have been avoided. For example:
- people who continued to smoke or be exposed to secondhand smoke despite their asthma diagnosis
- people who didnt follow asthma advice from their doctors
- people who failed to attend asthma review appointments.
They also found that 45% died before theyd sought medical assistance or before the emergency medical care could be given. Nearly a quarter of those who died from severe asthma had been to a hospital emergency department due to asthma at least once in the previous year.
Other studies have found that certain factors can increase the risk of asthma attack death, including:
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