Asthma: Stop making breathing harder for yourself!

Asthma is a condition where the small airways in the lungs swell, narrow and increase mucus production leading to difficulty in breathing, exponentially increased exhalation time. It is often in conjunction with monophonic or polyphonic wheezing heard either by auscultation or by proximity. 

Yes. While for some Asthma can be a bit of a nuisance, for others it can mean the difference between life and death. Asthmatic bronchospasm frequency can progress and it can settle and be very well controlled with medication and environment exposure control. There are methods to reduce asthma attack onset and improve lung function by going back to basics.

How do I Prevent an onset of an asthma attack?

We need to look at this scenario via a global approach. There is NEVER only ONE factor that induces an asthma attack. Take a look at the picture below for a general reference.

• Must use a SPACER/ AeroChamber! Without the use of an aerochamber, over 90% of the medication gets deposited in the back of the throat. It may seem quite silly that a chamber would benefit that much but in reality it comes down to physics. The chamber allows the particles to slow down to then be breathed in slowly and controlled for maximal deposition to the distal ends of the lungs where the inflammation is taking its course.

• Whenever using an MDI for a Corticosteroid, ensure to gargle and rinse your mouth/throat thoroughly to prevent oral thrush (fungal growth).

• Ensure to follow the instructions printed on the inhaler or how your pharmacist or therapist has advised you to do.

• Dry powder can be a bit irritating to the throat as well so it is recommended to rinse your mouth afterwards.

• A Spacer is not able to be used with this medication. This can come in several types of inhalers:

• Accuhaler, Ellipta, Aerolizer, Respimat, Breezhaler, Turbuhaler

• Easiest way to deliver medication but the least effective due to the heterogeneous mist formation with particles varying in sizes which alters how medication is delivered to the lungs.

• Lots of unused medication is wasted.

• Saline Solution mixture can cause some bronchospasms. 

Overall, It is very important to know what the TRIGGERS are for proper asthma control as well as understand and follow the physician’s prescription even if we think we are okay! Seriously, this is the #1 reason people will stop their everyday puffers- because they feel well. I’ve got news for you, You’re feeling well because you re taking the medications! Once you do not, the lungs become hypersensitive again and likeness is you will have another asthma attack.