what is the best treatment for asthma other than inhalers?

Question

i have had asthma for many years and now take only inhalers,i use 3 inhalers a month,which odviously is too many.i do not want to take steroids because of the side effects.i would appreciate ant suggestions on other meds that have helped.desperately seeking suggestions.thanks so much.

Answer 1

Advair. Singulair. They can be used separately or together. Of course you must discuss with your Dr. and get an Rx for both of them.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Wow, I don't think there is much left out there for asthma besides what you mentioned.
I can say that I have mild asthma, and there for a while I was using my inhaler and an inhaled steriod just to control it. After they put me on Zyrtec for my nasal allergies, my use of the steroid ceased, and very very seldom do I ever have to use my inhaler now. Come to find out, it is an airway reaction to the allergens. Something about the allergy medicine has all but stopped my problems. So, I don't know if you have tried any allergy medicines, but maybe you could try it. Could be that it is an acute reaction to allergens instead of a true inflamation of the lung lining?? Worth a try, and that is just allergy pills, no steroids.

Answer 4

There is a drug called Singulair that is a pill for asthma. You could give that a try. There is also a different kind of inhaler called Advair that helps to prevent the attacks rather than treat them. This has a steroid in it but because you inhale it, you very rarely get any of the steroid side effects.

Answer 5

using 3 inhalers in a month is too much. if your asthma is triggered by allergic reactions to your environment (like pollen) then you may need allergy pills to help maintain it. if your asthma is so severe that you get a lot of asthma attack during the day... i think it's time for you to be on corticosteroids. the only side effect i could think of is weight gain due to water retention -- just watch your salt intake. other uncommon side effects most likely wouldn't occur if taken correctly. corticosteroids help you tolerate those allergens, therefore your asthma attacks are triggered less. don't worry, the side effects are not that severe (unless you have other underlying medical history that corticosteroids will be contraindicated to). my cousin has been taking corticosteroids since he was a toddler. i think it's completely safe, otherwise it wouldn't be out on the market.

Answer 6

believe it or not, my son decided to try becoming a vegan.

while he still eats cheese and milk, he no longer eats meat.

he has been on the diet for 8 months now and not only has he lost some weight, but the asthma has not flared up since.

There are many foods available for vegans...we go the expensive route, ie. premade dinners and soups, but i do once a week make him a pot of black beans and he eats nuts and peanut butter....every now and then he will have an egg too.

It really has helped!

Good luck!

Answer 7

I used to have childhood asthma. After i picked up the habit to swim regularly my asthma slowly dissappeared. Maybe u should try it too. Of cos together with regular treatment

Answer 8

Step 1: Identifying and Controlling Asthma Triggers
Children with asthma have different sets of triggers - those things that can irritate airways and lead to an asthma flare. Triggers can vary from season to season and as a child grows older. Some common triggers are:

allergens, including microscopic dust mites present in house dust, carpets and pillows; animal dander and saliva; pollens and grasses; molds; foods; medications; and cockroaches.
viral infections, including the common cold and the flu (influenza).
irritants, including smoke, air fresheners, aerosols, paint fumes, hair spray, and perfumes
exercise
breathing in cold air
weather changes
Identifying triggers and symptoms can take time and good detective work. But once patterns are discovered, some of the triggers can be avoided through environmental control measures.

Step 2: Anticipating and Preventing Asthma Flares
Many kids with asthma have increasing inflammation in their airways from everyday trigger exposure - but they just can't feel it. Their breathing may sound normal and wheeze-free when their airways are actually narrowing and becoming inflamed, making them prone to a flare.


Since just listening to a child's breathing (or asking the child how breathing feels) can't give you an accurate sense of what's really happening inside, a more objective way to measure breathing is needed. Breathing tests measure the volume and speed of air as it is expelled from the lungs. Asthma specialists make several measurements with a spirometer, a computerized machine that takes detailed measurements of breathing ability.

At home, a peak flow meter - a hand-held tool that measures breathing ability - can be used. When peak flow readings drop, it's a sign of increasing airway inflammation. The peak flow meter can detect even subtle airway inflammation and obstruction - even when a child feels fine. In some cases, it can detect drops in peak flow readings two to three days before a flare occurs, providing plenty of time to treat and prevent it.

During the first stages of treatment, the doctor usually will have a child take a series of peak flow readings for a period of time. The readings help to establish a child's baseline PEFR, or peak expiratory flow rate - his personal best during a time when he has the least symptoms. After establishing a baseline reading, peak flow readings should be taken at least once a day so daily readings may be compared with the baseline.

Another way to know when a flare is brewing is to look for early warning signs (EWS). EWS are little changes in a child that signal medication adjustments may be needed (as directed in a child's individual asthma management plan) to prevent a flare. EWS may aid in showing that a child may be nearing a flare hours or even a day before the appearance of obvious flare symptoms (such as wheezing and coughing). Kids can develop changes in appearance, mood, or breathing, or they'll complain of "feeling funny" in some way. EWS are not always definite proof that a flare is on the way, but they are signals to plan ahead, just in case. It can take some time to "tune in" to these little changes, but over time, recognizing them becomes easier.

Parents with very young children who can't talk or use a peak flow meter often find early warning signs very helpful in predicting and preventing attacks. And EWS can be helpful for older children and even teens because they can learn to sense little changes in themselves. If they are old enough, they can adjust medication by themselves according to the asthma management plan, and if not, they can ask for help.

Step 3: Taking Medications as Prescribed
Developing an effective medication plan to control a child's asthma can take a little time and experimentation. There's no single remedy that works for every child with asthma. The different categories of asthma are treated differently, and some medication combinations work well for some children but not for others.

There are two main categories of asthma medications: quick-relief ("rescue") medications and long-term preventive ("controller") medications. Asthma medications treat both symptoms and causes, so they effectively control asthma for nearly every child. Over-the-counter medications, home remedies, and herbal combinations are not substitutes for prescription asthma medication. First, they can be life-threatening to rely upon during a flare because they cannot reverse airway obstruction quickly and effectively (if at all). Second, they don't address the cause of many flares: the hidden inflammation smoldering in a child's airways. As a result, asthma is not controlled by these non-prescription cold medicines, and may even become worse with their use.

Step 4: Controlling Flares By Following the Doctor's Written, Step-by-Step Plan
Mastering the first three steps of asthma control means a child will have fewer asthma symptoms and flares. But any child with asthma can still have an occasional flare, particularly during the learning period (between diagnosis and control) or after exposure to a very strong or new trigger. With the proper patient education, on-hand medications, and keen observation, families today can learn to control nearly every asthma flare by initiating treatment early, which will mean less emergency rooms visits and fewer admissions, if any, to the hospital.

The doctor provides a written, step-by-step plan outlining exactly what to do between flares and how to recognize and manage flares when they occur. The plan is different for each child. Over time, families learn to recognize when to start treatment early and when to call the doctor for help.

Step 5: Learning More About Asthma, New Medications, and Treatments
It's a fact: those who learn the most about asthma are the most successful in controlling it. Fortunately, more is being discovered about asthma every day! There are several organizations you can contact for information, videos, books, educational video games, and pamphlets (click on the Additional Resources tab at right for a partial listing). They can often direct you to local support groups where families and kids can meet others going through the same frustrations and learning processes. Together, they share experiences, helpful strategies and tips, and coping skills.

Answer 9

I would see a nutritionist. I got help with herbs and vitamins.