Asthma
Condition marked by breathing difficulty, where expelling air from lungs becomes impeded by muscle spasms in the airways. The spasms which are caused by inflammatory processes, are probably triggered by allergies. The spasms narrow the airways, which then become further restricted by mucous. About 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 4 children in Australia have asthma.
Body System/s Affected
Lungs - airways
Asthma medications and other drugs
There are different types of medications and devices to help control asthma.
The three types of asthma medication include:
- Relievers – usually in blue/grey delivery devices. They provide immediate relief from asthma symptoms by relaxing the muscles around the airways. If you need to use reliever medication more than three or four times a week (except for controlling exercise-induced asthma), you should speak to your doctor, as this may indicate your asthma is not well controlled. This is the only medication to use in an asthma attack.
- Preventers – usually in brown, white, yellow or orange delivery devices. Preventers make the airways less sensitive to triggers and reduce swelling and redness (inflammation) inside the airways. They are taken daily to keep you well. Do not stop taking the preventer, even when you are feeling better.
- Symptom controllers – usually in green delivery devices. They are long-acting relievers that help to relax the muscles around the airways for up to 12 hours. They are taken daily and should be used together with a preventer. Symptom controllers should not be taken to manage an asthma attack.
- Combination medication – the combination of both the preventer and symptom controller in the one delivery device.
How these medications are taken
There are several different devices that can deliver asthma medications. Typically asthma medications are inhaled (breathed in) so they can go straight to the lungs where they are needed and get to work quickly.
Different types of inhaler devices
Inhalers are the most common devices. There are four types of inhaler:
- Aerosol inhalers
- Spacers
- Dry powder inhalers
- Nebulisers.
Work together with your doctor to decide which inhaler device is best for you.
Aerosol inhalers
These use an aerosol canister to produce a fine mist of medication. The two types of aerosol inhaler are:
- Puffers (‘press and breathe’) – always shake the canister before use. Start to breathe in and, at the same time, press down on the canister and continue to breathe in deeply and steadily. Remove the puffer and hold your breath for 10 seconds (or as long as you comfortably can). Puffers are easier to use with a spacer and are more effective this way.
- Autohalers (breath activated) – these involve an aerosol canister that is spring-loaded. The medication automatically mists out when you start to breathe in through the mouthpiece. These are good for children and for those people who find it hard to coordinate the ‘press and breathe’ puffers.
Spacers
A spacer is a special device that looks like a clear plastic football or tube. You fire the medication into it and then breathe in and out normally for four breaths. More medication gets into the lungs when a puffer is used with a spacer. Spacers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on your needs.
Dry powder inhalers
Dry powder inhalers require you to be able to breathe in deeply to get the medication into your lungs. There are three kinds:
- Turbuhaler
- Accuhaler
- Aerolizer.
Young children and people who are short of breath might find dry powder inhalers hard to use.
Nebulisers
Nebulisers turn the medication into a fine mist that you breathe through a mask or mouthpiece. A nebuliser is sometimes useful for the very young and for older people. Most people do not need a nebuliser at home. A puffer and spacer are equally as effective as a nebuliser.
Some medications can bring on asthma symptoms
Always remind your doctor and pharmacist that you have asthma when medicine is prescribed to you or when buying other medicines, as there are some medications that can aggravate asthma symptoms. If you feel that a particular medicine is making your asthma worse, contact your doctor immediately.
Some of the medications that are known to affect some people with asthma include:
- Aspirin – contained in many medications, such as pain relievers.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen (Nurofen) and naproxen (Naprogesic).
- Beta blocker tablets – often used to control high blood pressure.
- Beta blocker eye drops – to treat the eye condition glaucoma.
- Ace inhibitors – often used to control high blood pressure.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Your local pharmacy
- The Asthma Foundation of Victoria Tel. 1800 645 130 or (03) 9326 7088
Things to remember
- The three main types of asthma medication are relievers, preventers and symptom controllers.
- If you need to take your reliever more than three to four times per week, you should see your doctor.
- There are different inhaler devices depending on your needs and what your doctor recommends.
