How Frequently Will I Have to Take Asthma Medicines?
Asthma can't be cured. How often you need to take your asthma medicine
depends on how severe your asthma is and how frequently you have symptoms. For
example, if your asthma symptoms occur only during the time of the year when
your allergies act up, then you may only have to take medications to control
your symptoms during that time. However, this is somewhat unusual, and most
people with asthma need to take medications every day.
Asthma Medication Guidelines
Asthma medications are the foundation of good asthma control. Learn all you
can about your medications. Know what medications are included in your asthma
action plan, when these medications should be taken, their expected results,
and what to do when they fail. Here are some general guidelines to keep in
mind:
Never run out of
asthma medications. Call your pharmacy or
doctor's office at least 48 hours before running out of your asthma
medications. Know your pharmacy phone number, prescription numbers, and
medication names and doses so that you can easily call for refills.
Refer to your asthma action plan when deciding how or when to use
asthma drugs. This plan is designed so you achieve the best possible
asthma control. Make sure you understand and can follow the plan.
Wash your hands prior to preparing or taking asthma medications.
Take your time. Double-check the name and dosage of all your asthma
medications before using them.
Keep your asthma medications stored according to the instructions given
with the prescription.
Check liquid medications often. If they have changed color or formed
crystals, throw them away and get new ones.
Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Some
medications can affect the actions of your asthma medications when taken
together. Most asthma medications are very safe. However, side effects can occur
and vary depending on the medication and dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to
describe medication side effects. Report any unusual or severe side effects to
your doctor immediately.
Most asthma medications are very safe. However, side effects can occur and
vary depending on the medication and dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to
describe medication side effects. Report any unusual or severe side effects to
your doctor immediately.
Reviewed by the doctors at The
Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care
Medicine.
SOURCES: American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: "AAAI Allergy
& Asthma Medication Guide." Medline Plus: "Asthma." American Academy
of Family Physicians: Family Doctor: "Asthma: Learning to Control Your
Symptoms."
Asthma is a common disorder in which
chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi) makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness,
cough and wheezing.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Patients who have infrequent, mild bouts of asthma attacks may use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat their asthma symptoms. OTC asthma medicines are limited to epinephrine and ephedrine. These OTC drugs are best used with the guidance of a physician, as there may be side effects and the drugs may not be very effective.
Asthma, the main cause of chronic illness in children, has signs and symptoms in children that include frequent coughing spells, low energy while playing, complaints of chest "hurting," wheezing while breathing, shortness of breath, and feelings of tiredness. Treatment will involve a doctor creating an asthma action plan which will describe the use of asthma medications and when to seek emergency care for the child.
There are many unusual symptoms of asthma, including sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, chronic cough, recurrent walking pneumonia, and rapid breathing. These symptoms may vary from individual to individual. These asthma complexities make it difficult to accurately diagnose and treat asthma.
Exercise-induced asthma is asthma triggered by vigorous exercise. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and fatigue while exercising. Preventing exercise-induced asthma attacks involves using inhaled medicines before exercising, performing warm-up exercises and cooling down afterward, avoiding exercising outdoors when pollen counts are high, restricting exercise when you have a viral infection, and wearing a mask over your nose and mouth when exercising in cold weather.
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