Signs You Need To Review Your Asthma Treatment

How often are you reaching for your rescue inhaler?

Many people living with asthma will be used to reaching for their reliever inhaler regularly (commonly called a “puffer”, likely contains a medicine called salbutamol). But did you know that over-use of an inhaler may be a sign that your asthma needs review? In some cases, too much reliever can lead to side effects, and studies show that people who only use a reliever often have poor asthma outcomes. In fact, using three or more relievers in 12 months is associated with an increased chance of asthma attack.

Is your Asthma well-controlled?

If you need to reach for your reliever inhaler more than two days per week, you wake at night with asthma symptoms or if your asthma symptoms stop you from doing what you need to do, your asthma may not be well controlled, and you may require a review with your GP to get you back on track.

You can book an appointment to review asthma control with your Growlife Medical GP.

What’s the difference between Rescue vs Preventer inhalers

Asthma medications can be divided into 2 groups.

RELIEVERS

Relievers or rescue inhalers are blue or grey inhalers. Your Dr will prescribe these inhalers to use when you are experiencing asthma symptoms, and require relief from feeling short of breath, coughing or sometimes prior to exercise. These inhalers start to work in a few minutes and will relax the muscles around the airways to allow more airflow.

Relievers are great at treating symptoms, but do not treat the cause. If you are only using a reliever to treat asthma, you are more likely to react to triggers, and may have an increased risk of asthma attack. 

PREVENTERS

Preventers are the main treatment for asthma and are coloured orange, brown, red or purple. Preventer inhalers contain inhaled corticosteroids either alone or in combination with a long-acting reliever medication. These medicines reduce inflammation in the lungs to make the airways less sensitive, to reduce swelling and production of mucus. Preventers are available in a variety of inhaler devices, and your GP will select one that is easy for you to use. 

Some Preventers are also known as dual-purpose inhalers. These contain both a corticosteroid, and a fast-acting reliever, so they both relieve symptoms, as well as reduce inflammation and flare-ups (an example is an inhaler containing budesonide/formoterol).

Dual-purpose relievers are a better option instead of just relievers, particularly for people who have mild asthma.  Studies worldwide support the use of these dual-purpose inhalers.

How do I know if my Asthma is under control?

Keeping an eye on your symptoms can help guide whether you need more preventer for your asthma. There is a simple, free, online test called an asthma control test that can help give you a guide of how well controlled your asthma is. Be sure to bring in your Asthma Control Test result when you next review your Asthma treatment with a Growlife Medical GP.

Do you have an Asthma Action Plan?

An Asthma Action Plan is an individualised written guide, prepared by a GP in partnership with a person with asthma. It provides information on how to stay well with asthma, and what to do when asthma symptoms occur. The plan will detail usual medications, when and how to increase inhaler doses and when to seek emergency help. This plan is especially useful for children with asthma to provide to their school or childcare centre. 

Ask your GP about creating an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan at your next appointment.

Other Information About Asthma

There is a lot of information available to read if you need further support. Asthma Australia is an excellent resource to discover more about asthma triggers, how to stay well with asthma, and asthma medications and how to use them.

Watch our own Growlife medical nurse and co-founder explain how to use a spacer and mask with a child in the video below.