Help me!(You need to know about asthma to answer this question)?

Question

I have really bad asthma and when I get an asthma attack it's pretty bad. I use my inhaler but it doesn't always help so much. What do I do to help me breathe better?

Answer 1

Inhaler's are for rescue only. If you are using your inhaler a lot then you need to go to the doctor to get your asthma symptoms under control! In the mean time - when having an asthma attack you need to exhale all the air that you can so that you can get as much air in and you also need to relax the bronchioles. A breathing technique that helps some (only a bit - but definitely helps) is to exhale slowly with your lips pursed and blow out as if blowing out candles - slowly and then inhale through nose. A respiratory therapist taught me this when I was a kid and gave me an empty syringe holder shaped like a tube with a hole on each end and had me blow through it during asthma attacks. I thought it was a fancy device until I saw them all the time when I started working in a hospital. This technique along with the inhaler may not be enough at times and you may need to go to the hospital or doctor's office for a breathing treatment. But the best treatment is prevention - with allergy testing and possibly treatment with medications like singulair, advair, or corticosteroids. Your doctor should know what is best for you and you should tell him/her about your asthma symptoms and frequency of attacks.

Answer 2

If you are having an acute episode, you may need to be hospitalized- if you have used your rescue inhaler and are still having trouble breathing, go to the ER.
I too have had really bad asthma since the age of 5. You need to see a pulmonary specialist to discuss your medication regimen. He may run tests, such as an xray of the chest or pulmonary function test to rule out other problems that may be affecting your breathing.
You say that you use inhalers- I am assuming that you have a long acting inhaler and a rescue inhaler. There are also oral medciations that you can take daily to prevent an attack. Prednisone is also commonly used, but you do not want to be on this medication for a long period of time because if can have some pretty bad side effects.
You may benefit from seeing an allergist- to determine what extrinisic factors may be triggering an attack. You may be put on allergy shots or other antihistamines.
Recently, I was started on Xolair- which is a new biologic drug for those with severe asthma and allergies. It is an injection given either every 2 weeks or once monthly. I have had significant relief with this drug and have almost tapered off of all of my other medications. It is very expensive though and good health insurance is a must if you want this med.
My advice to you is to see a pulmonary doctor and have a thorough exam. Discuss medication options with him. Good luck!

Answer 3

You should have 2 types of medication for asthma. One is the maintenance medication which you should take every day and the other is an emergency inhaler.

You are saying that your inhaler does not help...is it emergency medication for an attack. You may need a nebulizer as well.

You really should see your doctor to discuss this. It sounds like your asthma is controlling you instead of you controllling it.

Answer 4

I feel your pain. I've had asthma for 14 years now and have seen several doctors. The truth is, there is no known cure for asthma at the moment. But the symptoms can be prevented. It really depends on what causes your brother's asthma. Mine is usually dust and hot weather. But I think the universal method is using the control inhaler.

I cured my Asthma the natural way?

Answer 5

If your inhaler isn't working for you, you need to tell your doctor RIGHT AWAY.

Not being able to breathe is No Fun At All -- to say the least! (I'm no expert, but perhaps you need the prescription for your inhaler changed to give you more per shot.)

I'm assuming here you're using the inhaler correctly, that it hasn't expired, and that you haven't used it all up. Do you keep track of use? Have you used it more than the number of doses it has?

If you have, then you probably just need a new one.

Don't just live with this, do something about it.

If you have a lot of attacks, you might not be getting all the controlling meds you need.

Talk to a doc!

Answer 6

I know how you feel I also have asthma
When I have a real bad attack , I either put my head down by my knees and breathe thru my nose slowly , or i get a bag and breathe into it while counting backwards from hundred
slowly

Answer 7

See an allergist for skin testing to see what allergies you have and desensitize you. That can help you avoid some things and be less sensitive to the unavoidable. There are oral drugs effective for asthma as well as injectables.

Answer 8

Both of my sons had it and we took them off of dairy products, cleaned the house real well and installed an electrostatic air filter in the furnace. The asthma went away.

'nuff said?

Answer 9

www.viabenefits.com

I used to suffer from severe Chronic Bronchitis.

I was told it would be with me for life by my doctor.

This product changed my life and I no longer have to worry about an attack again!!!!

Whether people believe me or not It does not bother me. I tell everyone I know about this product.

Answer 10

If your rescue inhaler isn't working, you need to see your health care provider. There are pills you can take to help you...prednisone, theophyllene or one of the new drugs may help.