1. Inhale Effectively
Patients take some asthma medications by inhaling, so that the medicine goes right to the lungs. Learning to use these medications properly takes a bit of instruction and practice. Simply putting a puff of medicine into your mouth doesn't deliver much, if any, to the lungs. Instead, breathe in and out deeply, then on the next inhaled breath, deliver the puff of medicine from the asthma inhaler, and breathe in slowly. Hold the breath in your lungs to allow the medicine to penetrate, and then exhale.
2. Understand the Function
Knowing which asthma medicines are for prevention and which are for immediate relief of symptoms is crucial to asthma management. Anti-inflammatory medications, also delivered as inhalers, prevent asthma attacks. But they are ineffective in easing symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath immediately. Use a bronchodilator, or rescue inhaler, instead. These contain medicines designed to widen the bronchial tubes quickly, unlike anti-inflammatory drugs designed to prevent asthma attacks.
3. Asthma Control Over Time
Asthma symptoms can change over time, so the need for medicines might change too. It's possible the dosage of some drugs might be lowered or eliminated altogether after a period of time. Anti-allergy medications are often used as part of a plan to control asthma symptoms, but might be more needed during times of high environmental allergen counts, and not at all at other times. However, you should never alter or stop taking any of your asthma medication without first discussing it with your doctor.
4. Refill Before Running Out
It's important to realize that asthma is a disease of maintenance. Staying on top of your symptoms means taking your medicines regularly. Not doing so increases your chances of a severe asthma attack. Keep a careful eye on asthma medicine supply, and refill your prescriptions before they run out. Make it a habit to call in your prescription refills to the pharmacy at least 48 hours before you run out.
5. Managed Maladies
Some asthma medicines are strictly used to control symptoms when sick. Using a peak flow meter, which is a device that measures the ability to expel air from the lungs, is an important aspect of asthma management when ill. It's important to understand how to use one, and to discuss with your doctor at what level a change in medicine is required. When that level is reached, typically medicine delivered via a nebulizer is used. A nebulizer converts medicine into a fine mist that is easily inhaled directly to the lungs. An upper respiratory infection decreases an asthmatic's ability to expel air forcefully from the lungs and can be an indication of conditions that lead to a severe asthma attack. Having a plan with your doctor as to when you require nebulizer treatments, and having the medicine on hand, is a part of proactive asthma management.
