Asthma: getting genuine day-to-day control
Reliever inhaler alone is not control
Dr. Paul Rivière
Pulmonologist
In simple terms
Needing your blue inhaler more than twice a week is a signal, not a routine.
What asthma is
The airways are chronically inflamed and over-reactive. Triggers such as cold air, exercise, allergens, smoke or a virus make them narrow, causing wheeze, cough, chest tightness and breathlessness.
The two kinds of inhaler
The reliever opens the airway within minutes but does nothing about the underlying inflammation. The preventer, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, is taken every day and is what actually reduces attacks and hospital admissions.
How to judge your control
- Symptoms in the daytime more than twice a week
- Any waking at night because of asthma
- Reliever needed more than twice a week
- Activity limited by breathing
Any of these means the treatment plan should be reviewed.
Technique matters as much as the drug
A large proportion of people use their inhaler incorrectly, so most of the dose never reaches the lungs. Ask a pharmacist or nurse to watch you use it. A spacer improves delivery substantially with a metered dose inhaler.
Emergency signs
Difficulty speaking in full sentences, lips or fingertips turning blue, or a reliever that no longer works means calling emergency services immediately.
The words explained
Medical terms used above, in everyday language.
- Inflammation
- The body's reaction to injury or irritation: redness, swelling, heat or pain.
- Symptom
- A sign you can feel or see that something is wrong, like pain, tiredness or a rash.
- Prevention
- Steps taken before a problem starts, to make it less likely.
When should you see a doctor?
- Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
- They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
- You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
- You already take medication and want to change anything about it.
This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.
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