What is asthma? - In short, asthma is caused by INFLAMMATION of a person’s airways. This inflammation can be caused by a number of different triggers
The symptoms of asthma include:
Shortness of breath
Tightness in the chest
Coughing
Wheezing
There are two types of triggers:
Inflammatory (allergic) triggers cause an allergic reaction and cause inflammation in the lung airways and tightening of the airway muscles. Inflammatory triggers include dust mites, animals, cockroaches, molds and pollen.
Symptom (non-allergic) triggers generally do not cause swelling, but provoke “twitchy” airways, especially if they are already inflamed. Symptom triggers include smoke, exercise, cold air, chemical fumes/scented products, viral infections and intense emotions.
How do you treat asthma?
Best thing to do is avoid your triggers.
Inhaler medications
Sometimes for specific cases of asthma, your doctor may prescribe oral medications
PUFFERS - There are two main type of puffers
Bronchodilators - these inhalers dilate your airways by relaxing and opening them up allowing you to breath air into your lungs more easily. These puffers are referred to as “rescue inhalers” as they are a quick at helping your asthma. but only temporarily. They do not prevent the underlying inflammation that causes attacks.
Inhaled Steroids - these inhalers decrease inflammation in your airways by getting to the root cause. They take time to be effective and must be taken regularly in order to work correctly.
How to properly take your puffer
Some puffers are aerosol, and others are a dry powder form.
Aerosol or “metered dose” inhalers hold medication in a pressurized canister. CIick the link here for a video on how to use these inhalers.
Sometimes these inhalers are easier to use with a “spacer” or “chamber”, especially for children or elderly patients who have weak hands. Click this link here to see how to use a space or chamber.
Other puffers come in a form as a diskus. Click here for a video on how to use a diskus inhaler.
Another puffer type are turbuhalers. Click here for a video on how to use a turbuhaler.
