What Asthma Treatment Options Are There
“Management of Severe Asthma Exacerbation” by Roubing Wang for OPENPediatrics
You have options to help manage your asthma. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to control symptoms. These include:
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. Management Of Acute Asthma ExacerbationsSUSAN M. POLLART, MD, MS REBEKAH M. COMPTON, MSN, FNP-C and KURTIS S. ELWARD, MD, MPH, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia Am Fam Physician. 2011 Jul 1 84:40-47. Patient information: See related handout on how to treat an asthma attack, written by the authors of this article. In 2005, the prevalence of asthma in the United States was nearly 8 percent , and approximately 4 percent of Americans experienced an asthma attack.1,2 There have been many advances in medical therapy to prevent the worsening of asthma symptoms, including an improved understanding of asthma etiology, identification of risk factors for asthma exacerbations, and evidence supporting the benefits of written asthma action plans. In persons older than two years with asthma, neither the injectable nor the intranasal influenza vaccine increases the likelihood of an asthma exacerbation in the period immediately following vaccination. However, one study of infants found an increase in wheezing and hospital admissions after intranasal influenza vaccination.7 Seasonal influenza vaccine does not reduce the risk of developing an asthma exacerbation. Influenza vaccination appears to improve asthma-related quality-of-life in children during influenza season.7 How Do You Stop An Asthma Attack Without An InhalerIf you are diagnosed with asthma, you should make sure you have an inhaler with you at all times. However, if a worst case scenario occurs and you experience when you dont have a reliever inhaler with you, there are practical steps you can take to ease your symptoms.
Asthma can be a life-threatening condition, so at the very least, aim to keep a spare reliever inhaler in your handbag, locker at work or coat pocket. Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Without Inhaler Symptoms After An Asthma AttackHow you feel after an asthma attack will depend on how severe the attack was and what triggered it. If the attack was triggered by an irritant, such as cold weather, pollutants or allergens such as pollen, animal fur or dust, you should recover relatively quickly. If your asthma attack was caused by an infection, such an upper airway infection, then it might take longer for you to recover. You may have symptoms such as fatigue and exhaustion after your asthma attack. Do follow any recovery guidance given to you by a doctor or medical professional. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take your medication and attend any necessary follow-up appointments. If you havent seen your doctor or asthma nurse for a routine appointment recently, book one as soon as possible. How Can You Tell If You Have AsthmaIt 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. Recommended Reading: What Is Type 1 Asthma Make Sure You Know When:
Acute Asthma Attack SymptomsAn acute asthma attack is a medical emergency youll must seek immediate medical help and go to hospital. Acute asthma attack symptoms to be aware of include:
If you dont seek treatment for an acute asthma attack, your life could be in danger. Find out more about acute asthma by reading our guide to severe asthma. Also Check: Asthma Caused By Reflux When To Seek Emergency TreatmentSome people wonder if you can die from an asthma attack. If its severe enough, you certainly can die. Generally, when experiencing an asthma attack, its best to remain calm and use your medications as prescribed. For those rare instances when you experience an attack and dont have the necessary medication with you, stopping an attack is possible. Learning how to stop an asthma attack without an inhaler involves removing yourself immediately from triggers. If you cant completely remove yourself from the trigger, breathe through some cloth or a mask to filter the air. Sit upright as much as possible to allow your lungs to take in the most air. Sip a hot, caffeinated beverage to help open your airways. Dont delay calling 911 if your asthma begins to feel completely out of control. Getting help quickly can mean the difference between life and death. Once you have had a severe asthma attack, you are at risk of having more. Seek immediate medical attention if you have the following symptoms:
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