What To Use For Asthma

What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Vicks Vaposteam

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Aim For A Healthy Body Weight

People with obesity tend to have more severe asthma and more frequent symptoms.

People who are overweight and obese are also more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea . This is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. People with OSA get very tired during the day. If they also have asthma, their asthma symptoms get worse, too.

Studies show that when people with obesity lose weight, their asthma symptoms improve. Treating OSA also improves asthma symptoms.

When To Refer To A Specialist

Recommendations for specialty referral are summarized in Table 6-. Preschool lung function testing, available in some pediatric academic centres, can be helpful to confirm the diagnosis -. Allergy testing is suggested in a child with persistent symptoms to assess the possible role of environmental allergens and provide advice about implementation of avoidance strategies .

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Does It Work Like An Inhaler

The concept of an inhaler and a nebulizer is the same. They both work to deliver treatment directly into the lungs. In terms of function, a portable nebulizer works similarly to an inhaler. However, some differences in usage differentiate the two.

The most common type of inhaler involves inhaling a given amount of medication using a mouthpiece. The spacers in inhalers make it easy for patients to inhale the required amount of medication.

The main difference between an inhaler and a nebulizer is that a nebulizer is easier to use. It delivers medication easier compared to an inhaler. However, the user has to sit still for about 10 minutes for the medication to be dispensed.

Whilst there are portable nebulizers, they are relatively larger than inhalers, thus, making them difficult to carry around.

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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Does Having More Severe Asthma Put Me At Higher Risk Of Covid

The severity of someones asthma depends in part on how well it is controlled, and this control may be the key to how hard COVID-19 hits a patient. As previously mentioned, though there are some conflicting reports as to whether or not and how much having asthma increases your risk of getting sicker with COVID-19, that consensus statement published in June in the Italian Journal of Pediatrics did list severe and particularly uncontrolled asthma as a risk factor.

Complications could be worse with asthma, but possibly not so much if the asthma is well-controlled, Meadows explains. The vast majority of people who are getting COVID-19 with asthma are having a flare similar to what they have with a cold. It may require increased use of rescue or reliever medication .

Controller And Reliever Medicines Work Together

There are two main kinds of asthma medicines: preventer medicine and rescue medicine. Each medicine is important, and each medicine does a different thing for your lungs.For most people with asthma, the doctor will prescribe both kinds of medicine:

Some people think they can skip the preventer medicine and only use the rescue medicine. This is dangerous. If you’ve been prescribed a preventer medicine, use it. The rescue medicine by itself will not control your asthma over the long term. To make sure you get all your medicine into your lungs, be sure you know how to use your inhalation device.

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Using A Metered Dose Inhaler With Or Without A Spacer

How Is This Medicine Best Taken

Use Vicks Sinex ) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Do not take Vicks Sinex ) by mouth. Use in your nose only. Keep out of your mouth and eyes .
• Some of these drugs need to be shaken before use. Be sure you know if this product needs to be shaken before using it.
• Some products may have different ways to prime the pump. Some pumps may also need to be primed if not used for different periods of time. Follow how and when to prime as you have been told.
• Blow your nose before use.
• Do not tilt your head back before using Vicks Sinex ).
• Put the cap back on after you are done using your dose.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you use Vicks Sinex ) on a regular basis, use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times Vicks Sinex ) is used on an as needed basis. Do not use more often than told by the doctor.

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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:

• diabetes or

• 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.

Other Medication And Asthma Triggers

Some medication for other health conditions can make asthma symptoms worse and trigger an asthma flare-up or attack.

It is very important that you inform your doctor and pharmacist that you have asthma when a new medicine is prescribed to you or when you are buying over-the-counter medication or complementary therapies.

If you feel a particular medicine is making your asthma worse, treat your symptoms and contact your doctor immediately.Some medicines known to trigger asthma symptoms in some people include:

• aspirin contained in some medication, such as pain relievers
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
• beta-blocker tablets often used to control high blood pressure
• beta-blocker eye drops to treat the eye condition glaucoma
• ace inhibitors often used to control high blood pressure.

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Signs You Actually Have Severe Asthma

Breathing is just one of those things you take for granted until it feels like every inhale or exhale is a struggle. Unfortunately, people with severe asthma have to deal with breathing issues way more often than anyone should, and it can be completely terrifying.

Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects the airways that extend from your nose and mouth to your lungs, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute . When youre exposed to triggers like animal fur, pollen, mold, exercise, and respiratory infections, these airways can narrow, restricting your airflow. This can then make the muscles surrounding your airways constrict, making it even harder to breathe, and cause your airways to produce more mucus than normal, further compounding the problem. All together, this can lead to asthma symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing , and chest tightness or pain, according to the NHLBI.

Like most health conditions, asthma severity runs along a spectrum, Emily Pennington, M.D., a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. Some people have cases where they experience minor symptoms here and there . Others can have asthma that is basically an ever-present problem and might result in scary asthma attacks, which is when symptoms ramp up in severity and can even become life-threatening.

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Inhaler Devices For Asthma Medication

Some people need extra help to take their asthma medication and make it work more effectively.

Work with your doctor to decide which device is best for you.Inhalers are the most common devices for asthma medication. The 3 main types of inhaler devices are:

• Metered-dose inhaler an aerosol canister that produces a fine mist of medication. Always shake the canister before use. It is recommended to always use a spacer with your puffer.
• Breath-activated inhaler a spring-loaded aerosol canister. The medication automatically mists out when you start to breathe in through the mouthpiece. These are good for children and for people who find it hard to coordinate a puffer.
• Dry-powder inhalers contain medication as a dry powder, rather than liquid like aerosol inhalers. Deep breathing is required to release medication to the lungs. Young children and anyone who struggles with shortness of breath may find these difficult to use.

Watch National Asthma Council videos which show you how to use different types of inhalers, including this video on how to use a standard metered-dose inhaler.

Some other types of medication may be used for more severe asthma. Your doctor may prescribe these additional therapies or refer you to a respiratory specialist.

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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.

Global Alliance Against Chronic Respiratory Diseases

The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases contributes to WHOs work to prevent and control chronic respiratory diseases. GARD is a voluntary alliance of national and international organizations and agencies from many countries committed to the vision of a world where all people breathe freely.

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Objective Measurements To Confirm Variable Expiratory Airflow Limitation

In a patient with typical respiratory symptoms, obtaining objective evidence of excessive variability in expiratory airflow limitation is essential to confirming the diagnosis of asthma . The greater the variations in lung function, or the more times excess variation is seen, the more likely the diagnosis is to be asthma. Spirometry is the preferred objective measure to assess for airflow limitation and excessive variability in lung function. It is recommended for all patients over 6 years of age who are able to undergo lung function testing .

Spirometry measures airflow parameters such as the forced vital capacity and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s . Lung volumes are not measured with spirometry, and instead require full pulmonary function testing. The ratio of FEV1 to FVC provides a measure of airflow obstruction. In the general population, the FEV1/FVC ratio is usually greater than 0.750.80 in adults, and 0.90 in children. Any values less than these suggest airflow limitation and support a diagnosis of asthma . Because of the variability of asthma symptoms, patients will not exhibit reversible airway obstruction at every visit and a negative spirometry result does not rule out a diagnosis of asthma. This is particularly true for children who experience symptoms predominantly with viral infections, or who are well controlled on asthma medications. Therefore, to increase sensitivity, spirometry should be repeated, particularly when patients are symptomatic .

What To Know About Using Vaporub Under Your Childs Nose

Do your childhood memories include Vicks VapoRub smeared under your nose when you had a cough or cold? You are not alone, yet the label clearly states that it should not be applied to your nostrils. In addition, the VapoRub label says it is not to be used in any way for children under age 2. The BabyRub formula can be used on babies 3 months and older, but it also specifically states not to use it on the face or in the nostrils. What are the risks of using these products under a childâs nose rather than on the chest, neck, or sore limbs?

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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.

What Are The Two Main Types Of Bronchodilator Medicines

There are beta 2-agonists and anticholinergics.

Short-acting beta 2-agonists

In inhaled forms, these medications include:

• Albuterol .
• Levalbuterol .
• Albuterol and ipratropium bromide combination .

Short-acting beta 2-agonists are called “reliever” or “rescue” medicines because they stop asthma symptoms very quickly by opening the airways. These are the best medications for treating sudden and severe or new asthma symptoms. They work within 15 to 20 minutes and last four to six hours. They are also the medicines to use 15 to 20 minutes before exercise to prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms. If you need to use your short-acting beta 2-agonists more than twice per week, talk to your doctor. This is a sign of unstable asthma and your doctor may want to change the dose of the long-term control medicines you take.

Long-acting beta-2 agonists

These medications include:

• Salmeterol .
• Formoterol .
• Combination medications: salmeterol and fluticasone formoterol and budesonide formoterol and mometasone vilanterol and fluticasone salmeterol and fluticasone and salmeterol and fluticasone . These contain both the long-acting beta agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid.

Side effects of beta 2-agonists include:

• Nervous or shaky feeling.
• Upset stomach .
• Trouble sleeping .

Anticholinergic drugs

Side effects of anticholinergic drugs are minor. The most common side effect is dry throat. If the medicine gets in your eyes, it might cause blurred vision for a short period of time.

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How Do I Control My Asthma

Simply put, the goals of successful asthma treatment mean your asthma is well controlled. So, how do you actually control your asthma?