Did you now that around 1 in 10 Aussies have asthma? With all the asthma medications available including asthma preventers and asthma relievers, why is asthma still the 4th highest chronic condition that Aussies take time off for? The reason lies with the way these medications are administered. Asthma inhalers aren’t the easiest medications to use but it is extremely important to do it right.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a long term condition that affects the lungs and airways. When exposed to a trigger, the airways narrow, making it more difficult to breathe. The narrowing of the airways is caused by 3 factors: inflammation, mucus and airway muscle constriction.
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What happens in the airway of someone with asthma when exposed to a trigger.[/caption]
4 Common Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is diagnosed by your doctor by taking some breathing tests. If you experience shortness of breath, wheeze, chest tightness and/or have a dry irritating and continual cough especially at night, speak to your doctor. Whilst you might feel these symptoms may individually not be a concern, they can also be a sign of asthma as well as some other medical conditions.
6 Common Triggers of Asthma
Triggers differ from person to person. It is important you know what triggers your asthma so you can control your asthma and prevent asthma attacks. Below are just some common triggers.
Why is it important to treat Asthma?
Whilst there is no cure at the moment for asthma, there are medications available that can help control asthma and minimise its impact on your daily activities. However, if left untreated or undertreated, the long term inflammation of the airway can lead to permanent airway damage.
Importance of proper Inhaler Technique
There are 2 main types of asthma medications: relievers and preventers. It is important to know the different between the two as they both play important roles in asthma treatment.
It is important that you discuss with your doctor and pharmacist the inhaler that suits you best. Once this has been decided, you can ask your pharmacist to show you how to use your inhaler correctly to ensure maximum delivery of the medication to your lungs. There is no embarrassment in asking your pharmacist every month you get a new inhaler to review your inhaler technique.