Western Scientific Method Treatment for Asthma

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled so that you are able to carry out your daily activities without asthma symptoms. Controlling asthma involves:

1. Taking asthma medications as directed
2. Monitoring asthma
3. Staying active and healthy
4. Avoiding triggers whenever possible
5. Having a written asthma action plan
6. Visiting the doctor regularly

Each of these will be explained in more detail in the next section.

Asthma medications

There are three main groups of asthma medications:
1 Preventers
2 Relievers
3 Symptom controllers

1. Preventers

Inhaled medications - Flixotide (orange), Intal Forte (white), Pulmicort, Qvar (brown), Tilade (yellow)
Oral medications – Singulair, Prednisolone, Prednisone

Preventers make the airways less sensitive, reduce the redness and swelling inside the airways and dry up the mucous. It may take a few weeks for Preventers to reach their optimal effect.

Preventers must be taken daily to keep you well, reduce the risk of asthma attacks and to prevent lung damage. A number of these medications are corticosteroids (more commonly known as ‘steroids’) which are similar to steroids that we produce naturally in our bodies. They are not the same as the anabolic steroids misused by some athletes.

Important points

• Some people may only need preventers for a set period while other people need to take preventers all year round
• Preventers need to be taken at the same time each day at the dosage prescribed by your doctor
• Preventers take time to work so an improvement in your symptoms may not be noticed for a couple of weeks. Do not stop taking your preventer medication after only a few days
• When you are well (no asthma symptoms and rarely using your blue reliever), talk to your doctor about a review of your medications
• Make sure you ask your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your asthma medication and/or asthma delivery devices

2. Relievers

Inhaled medications - Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl, Epaq, Ventolin (blue)

Relievers provide relief from asthma symptoms within minutes. They relax the muscles around the airways for up to four hours allowing air to move easily through the airways.

Important points

• Always carry your blue reliever medication. It is the only medication to use in an asthma emergency
• If you are using your reliever medication more than three times per week to ease asthma symptoms it may be a sign that your asthma is not well controlled. Check with your doctor

3. Symptom controllers

Foradile (pale blue), Oxis, Serevent (green)

Symptom controllers (also called Long Acting Relievers) help to relax the muscles around the airways for up to 12 hours. They are taken daily and are only prescribed for people who are taking regular inhaled ‘steroid’ preventers.

Combination medications

Seretide (Flixotide and Serevent - purple), Symbicort (Pulmicort and Oxis - red)

Combination medications combine a preventer with a symptom controller in the same delivery device.

Combination medications need to be taken at the same time each day at the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Getting the most out of your asthma medications
The aim of delivery devices is to get the maximum amount of medication into your lungs with minimum side effects. It is important to:

• Know how to care for and clean your medication devices
• Ensure there is medication left in your device
• Ensure that your medication has not expired
• Use a spacer with a puffer to minimise side effects and deliver more medication to your lungs (a spacer is a device shaped like a clear plastic football or tube into which you fire medication from a puffer and inhale)
• Use your inhaler correctly. Have your technique regularly checked by your doctor, pharmacist or asthma educator

Managing your asthma effectively

• Find a doctor who has a keen interest in asthma and have regular reviews of your asthma
• Develop an Asthma 3+ Visit Plan with your doctor
• Ask your doctor for a written Asthma Action Plan
• Avoid things that make your asthma worse (triggers)
• Know your asthma symptoms and how to treat them
• Make sure you use asthma medications correctly
• Recognise signs of worsening asthma and following your written Asthma Action Plan
• Know your Asthma First Aid Plan and how to use it
• Inform your family members about your asthma and how they can provide Asthma First Aid.

What is an Asthma Action Plan?

An Asthma Action Plan is a written set of instructions prepared in partnership with your doctor that assists you to manage your asthma at different times. Your plan should help you to:

• Recognise worsening asthma symptoms
• Start treatment quickly
• Seek the right medical assistance

Early attention to worsening asthma may prevent you from having a serious attack. Ask your doctor for a written Asthma Action Plan.

What is the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan?

The Asthma 3+ Visit Plan involves a minimum of three visits with your local doctor over a four month period to discuss and plan asthma care. Asthma 3+ Visit Plans encourage a partnership between you and your doctor with the focus being assessment, regular review and asthma education. Ask your doctor for more information.

What should I do in an asthma emergency?

If you are having difficulty breathing or your asthma becomes worse, follow the Asthma First Aid Plan (shown below).

References

© Copyright Asthma Foundations of Australia 2005 Reproduction for educational purposes is permitted. This resource satisfies the guidelines and standards approved by the National Asthma Council and Asthma Foundations of Australia.

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