Declaimer
I am not a trained medical professional. This is all from what I have learnt over the years of being asthmatic. Please ask your asthma nurse/GP/ respiratory specialist for any medical advice.
How to manage your asthma Part 2
Here are more tips and advice from my experiences
Asthma Review
Make sure you get an asthma review around the same time every year. This is to make sure you are on the correct inhalers for you and to get changes if you need them. This is to add medication, remove medication, change inhalers, be referred to other services for tests.
Medication expiry date
This is important when it comes to knowing when your medication is out of date. This helps you to make sure you have plenty of medication that you can use. If you have any medication that can’t be used anymore return them to your pharmacy.
Spacer or not spacer
Do you need a spacer? If you have a powder then the simple answer is no. If you have a metered-dose inhaler then yes it is recommended that you use a spacer to ensure your medication reaches your lungs. There are many types of spacers: Volumatic, AeroChamber, Able Spacer, Space Chamber Plus, and A2A spacer. But Volumatic and AeroChamber are the most common ones to use.
Want to read more? Click on this link and read more Spacers | Asthma + Lung UK
Have good oral health
It is important to brush your teeth after using your preventer inhaler as this can help avoid thrush especially when you have a powder inhaler and can’t use spacer. The preventer inhaler can contain steroids and cause thrush (Candidiasis). Using a spacer can help reduce chances of thrush as well.
Talk to other asthmatic people
It is good to talk to other autistic people to share experiences and just get general advice.
Stop Smoking or vaping
This is a simple one. Your lungs are built to breathe in oxygen. They need to be in the best health to help you. It is best to stop smoking and vaping all together. Both contain nicotine which will damage your lungs. Smoking and vaping will only increase your asthma symptoms and increase your chances of developing COPD alongside your asthma.
Inhaler location
It is really important for you and people around you to know where your inhalers are. This is just in case there is an emergency and you need your inhalers. During an asthma attack you may not be able to talk or give instructions to others.
I keep my inhalers in my backpack. I also have a spacer with me to ensure my inhaler medication works correctly. I always keep an eye on my medication use by date.
Ask for help
I know this can be hard at times, but ask for help from family, friends and even professionals. Maybe other family members or friends are asthmatic as well.
ICE card
An ICE Card is used to contain personal details, blood type and next of kin, also can include medications and medical history. This is for emergencies to ensure you get the right care. It is always good to keep this information up to date with any changes like who to contact, medication, etc.
My Story
I was diagnosed asthmatic nearly 10 years ago.
At the time exercise set my asthma off, but I didn’t find out what type of asthma I had until I went to the respiratory specialist and had blood tests. This was after my inhalers failed to help and they needed more investigation of why this happened.
They found out I have allergy asthma and I needed other medications alongside my inhalers. I get an asthma review yearly but the past few years it was done via a questionnaire and have not seen anyone face to face.
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