Moderate And Severe Persistent Asthma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Asthma is long-term inflammation and narrowing of the airways in your lungs. This causes less airflow to your lungs and makes it hard to breathe. When you have moderate or severe persistent asthma, you have symptoms every day. You may also have symptoms at night. Your asthma attacks can last a few hours to a few days. Severe asthma may make it difficult for you to do daily activities and other things you enjoy.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Inhaled short-acting bronchodilators: These are given to help open your airways quickly. They start to work right away and are used to relieve sudden, severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing. They are called relievers or rescue inhalers.
  
  
• Steroids: These help decrease swelling and open your airways to help you breathe easier. They may be given as pills or in an inhaler. After an asthma attack, you may need steroid pills for several days. Inhaled steroids are used for long-term control.
  
  
• Combination inhalers: These include a long-acting bronchodilator and a steroid. They help open the airways over time, and are used to decrease and prevent breathing problems. They are only used when your asthma is not controlled with other medicines. They are not helpful during an asthma attack.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed. Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Inhalers:

• Metered dose inhaler: This is a small, tube-shaped device. You hold the open end inside your mouth. The medicine comes out as a mist when you press a switch. Breathe in deeply to get the right amount of medicine. You can use a spacer with this inhaler. A spacer is a large tube that holds the mist before you breathe it in.
  
  
• Nebulizer: A long tube goes from the machine to a small round container that holds asthma medicine. The liquid turns into a mist once the machine is turned on. You breathe in this mist through a mouthpiece.
  
  
• Dry powder inhaler: This is a small tube or disc-shaped device that contains powder asthma medicine. You hold the open end inside your mouth. The powder is released when you press a switch. With this type of inhaler, you must breathe in hard to suck in the powder.

Follow your asthma action plan:

This is a set of instructions to follow when you have an asthma attack. Work with your primary healthcare provider or asthma specialist to develop an asthma action plan. Your action plan will include a list of your medicine, how much to take, and how often to take it. This will help you manage your asthma, and may help prevent asthma attacks.

• Keep a diary of your asthma attacks: Write down the date and time of any new asthma attacks. Write down what you were doing or the things around you that could have triggered your attack.
  
  
• Follow instructions for peak flow: You may need to test and write down your peak expiratory flow (PEF) every day. Your PEF can help you know when to take your medicines. Your PEF can also tell your primary healthcare provider or asthma specialist if he needs to change your medicines. Use your peak flow meter correctly to get an accurate PEF. Ask how to use a peak flow meter correctly, and how to read your PEF values.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider or asthma specialist as directed:

You may need more tests to see how well your treatment is working. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Prevent an asthma attack:

• Avoid triggers.
  
  
• Follow your asthma action plan.
  
  
• Use air conditioning to control the temperature and humidity in your house.
  
  
• Keep pets out of your home. If you have cockroaches or other pests in your home, get rid of them quickly.
  
  
• Remove old carpets, fabric-covered furniture, drapes, and furry toys in your house. Use hypoallergenic covers for your mattresses and pillows.

Contact your primary healthcare provider or asthma specialist if:

• You cough or wheeze more than usual.
  
  
• Your medicines do not relieve your symptoms as well as they used to.
  
  
• Your symptoms keep you awake at night.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Return to the emergency department if:

• You have wheezing or shortness of breath that does not get better with treatment.
  
  
• You feel that very little air is reaching your lungs and you cannot breathe.
  
  
• You feel dizzy or faint.
  
  
• You have severe chest pain.
  
  
• Your lips or fingernails turn gray or blue.

Learn more about Moderate And Severe Persistent Asthma (Aftercare Instructions)