Asthma Follow Up Care: Why You Need It!

Asthma Follow Up Care: Why You Need It!

Asthma Follow Up Care: Why You Need It!

* Follow-up Care is Essential to good asthma control.

* Follow-up allows determination of asthma severity.

* Other disorders that affect your breathing are detected early.

* Rescue medication refills are provided

* Your Asthma Action Plan is updated.

Having your asthma diagnosed is the first step to getting control.

But after treatments are prescribed, follow-up becomes the key to avoiding asthma attacks and controlling your asthma symptoms

Follow-up is so important because asthma is not a disease that is ‘cured’ in the usual sense.

Our goal is to manage and control it!

Asthma control means that:

  • you can be active.
  • you can sleep well.
  • you don’t have to make emergency room visits “routine”.
  • you don’t have to experience life-threatening asthma attacks!

Managing asthma means regular, Doctor visits.

We know from research studies that the best interval for these reassessments is about every three months.

At these appointments: We work on a number of points.

.. First, I evaluate your asthma severity to see if it has changed.,

.. We discuss your response to your asthma treatment plan and consider revising it if needed.

.. We will discuss new information relative to your asthma, such as new medications that may be helpful for controlling your symptoms.

.. If needed, I will order changes in the strength or the frequency of your controller or trigger medications.

.. When we have your new plan finalized, I will transmit your medication refills  to the pharmacy of your choice, electronically.

.. Then, we review your Asthma Action Plan and I

Send to your phone!

Before we sign-off, I schedule your next appointment, 3 months away.

In this way, Asthmaniac helps you stay on top of your asthma.

Asthmaniac gives you the tools to keep your asthma in control

and for you to become the

 expert of your asthma!

#asthmacontrolnow
#telemedicineasthmacare
#backpocketasthmadoc
#asthmaactionplan
#asthmacontroltest
#asthmacontroller
#rescueinhaler
#asthmacovid19
#childrenandasthma
#eprescription
#easthma
#peakexpiratoryflow
#peakflowmeter
#asthmaniac

Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?

Why do we use steroids in asthma? * Inflammation of the airways is the underlying problem in asthma * Steroids like Prednisone and Decadron are taken by mouth * Steroids like betamethasone and fluticasone are inhaled like albuterol. * Steroids shut down...

Asthma Action Plan: Personalized Just For You!

* Your personal Asthma Action Plan is your quick-reference guide telling you how to react to changes in your breathing. * Your plan uses your Peak Expiratory Flow readings and  ACT scores to determine if your asthma is in control. * Your Asthma Action Plan...

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate: How We Measure and Why?

* Peak Expiratory Flow is measured by you, several times a week using a small pocket-sized flowmeter * You record the number measured by this devise. * This number shows how well you are able to exhale and tells me if we have your lung inflammation under...

Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It

* The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a survey that you fill out about your breathing symptoms. * Your score on this survey will classify your asthma into 3 levels: Well Controlled, Not Well Controlled, and Poorly Controlled * These classifications are used...

Asthma Follow Up Care: Why You Need It!

High-Deductible Health Plan? Online Asthma Is Perfect!

High-Deductible Health Plan? Online Asthma Is Perfect!

High Deductible? Asthmaniac Is Best Value!

✓   You have a Health Insurance Policy (Lucky you!)

✘   But, it has a high deductible (ugh)

✓ Asthmaniac was made for you!

✓ Affordable doctor visits

✓   State-of-the-Art Asthma Care

✓   All online!

 

High-Deductible Health Insurance

Do you have a health insurance plan that offers less costly premiums but has a high deductible?

As you may have discovered, the deductible is the amount that you have to pay out-of-pocket before the policy kicks in.  This amount is usually many thousands of dollars, in some cases tens-of thousands for family policies!

This comes as quite a shock the first time you try to use your health insurance to pay for a doctor visit, a prescription, or worse, get admitted to the hospital where your bill quickly grows to tens of thousands of dollars, INSTANTLY! 

Ok, so like me, you have to pay out-of-pocket for the first several thousand dollars of medical services you need.

That means you will be shopping for the best value in medical products. 

Best value means: highest quality + lowest price.

In my three decades of practicing medicine, I’ve seen so many  patients with run-away, preventable disease whose illness got out of control because they did not got to a doctor earlier due to cost concerns.

That recurring theme motivated me to create a ‘clinic’ that IS affordable BUT delivers state-of-the-art asthma care for you.

Asthmaniac is that clinic, specially focused on delivering the medical stuff asthma sufferers need.

 Stuff like:

I deliver this package through Asthmaniac which you can access on your smartphone, tablet or home computer.  

I keep my doctor visit price affordable!  

If you have  well controlled asthma, you need four doctors visits a year to make sure that you have all of your needed medicines prescribed, that your asthma hasn’t changed into a more severe type, and to make sure you know how to respond if your breathing gets worse.

A doctor in your back pocket, that you can afford, coaching you to greater confidence and less anxiety about your asthma, is a great value!

And if you have an HSA (Health Savings Account) with your high-deductible plan and need a receipt to reimburse yourself for your out-of-pocket Asthmaniac appointments –

I will make sure you have it!

That’s Asthmaniac!

 

Let’s get started!

Complete the subscription form on the right if you’d like to get an email when I post a new podcast and blog entry.

Remember our hashtag: #asthmacarenow!

And keep Breathing Easy!

#asthmacontrolnow
#telemedicineasthmacare
#backpocketasthmadoc
#asthmaactionplan
#asthmacontroltest
#asthmacontroller
#rescueinhaler
#asthmacovid19
#childrenandasthma
#eprescription
#easthma
#peakexpiratoryflow
#peakflowmeter
#asthmaniac

 

Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?

Why do we use steroids in asthma? * Inflammation of the airways is the underlying problem in asthma * Steroids like Prednisone and Decadron are taken by mouth * Steroids like betamethasone and fluticasone are inhaled like albuterol. * Steroids shut down...

Asthma Action Plan: Personalized Just For You!

* Your personal Asthma Action Plan is your quick-reference guide telling you how to react to changes in your breathing. * Your plan uses your Peak Expiratory Flow readings and  ACT scores to determine if your asthma is in control. * Your Asthma Action Plan...

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate: How We Measure and Why?

* Peak Expiratory Flow is measured by you, several times a week using a small pocket-sized flowmeter * You record the number measured by this devise. * This number shows how well you are able to exhale and tells me if we have your lung inflammation under...

Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It

* The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a survey that you fill out about your breathing symptoms. * Your score on this survey will classify your asthma into 3 levels: Well Controlled, Not Well Controlled, and Poorly Controlled * These classifications are used...

No Insurance? Asthmaniac Will Help You!

No Insurance? Asthmaniac Will Help You!

No Insurance? Asthmaniac Will Help You!

No Insurance is Not a Problem at Asthmaniac!

Got asthma?

⇨ No Insurance?

Asthmaniac was made for you!

Affordable doctor visits!

State-of-the-Art Asthma Care.

 All online!

 

No Insurance = No Problem

Asthmaniac was designed to deliver asthma care to asthma sufferers that:

.. don’t have insurance

.. don’t have a doctor

.. have too much anxiety because this.

 I will be your asthma doctor.

I charge an affordable, fair price for:

.. having your doctor on your smartphone

.. making sure you have rescue inhalers

.. making sure you have state-of-the-art medicine for asthma control

.. making sure you KNOW how to manage your asthma day-to-day

.. making sure you have access to the latest medicine for asthma

.. making sure you have the best tools for self-management

If you have  well controlled asthma, you need four doctor visits a year to make sure that you have all of your needed medicines prescribed, that your asthma hasn’t changed into a more severe type, and to make sure you know how to respond if your breathing gets worse.

Asthmaniac puts your asthma doctor (ME!) in your back pocket, coaching you to greater confidence and less anxiety about your asthma.

Uninsured Asthma Care.

A core feature of Asthmaniac!

Remember our hashtag: #asthmacarenow And keep Breathing Easy!

#asthmacontrolnow
#telemedicineasthmacare
#backpocketasthmadoc
#asthmaactionplan
#asthmacontroltest
#asthmacontroller
#rescueinhaler
#asthmacovid19
#childrenandasthma
#eprescription
#easthma
#peakexpiratoryflow
#peakflowmeter
#asthmaniac

 

Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?

Why do we use steroids in asthma? * Inflammation of the airways is the underlying problem in asthma * Steroids like Prednisone and Decadron are taken by mouth * Steroids like betamethasone and fluticasone are inhaled like albuterol. * Steroids shut down...

Asthma Action Plan: Personalized Just For You!

* Your personal Asthma Action Plan is your quick-reference guide telling you how to react to changes in your breathing. * Your plan uses your Peak Expiratory Flow readings and  ACT scores to determine if your asthma is in control. * Your Asthma Action Plan...

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate: How We Measure and Why?

* Peak Expiratory Flow is measured by you, several times a week using a small pocket-sized flowmeter * You record the number measured by this devise. * This number shows how well you are able to exhale and tells me if we have your lung inflammation under...

Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It

* The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a survey that you fill out about your breathing symptoms. * Your score on this survey will classify your asthma into 3 levels: Well Controlled, Not Well Controlled, and Poorly Controlled * These classifications are used...

Is Your Asthma e-Asthma? New Medicine!

Is Your Asthma e-Asthma? New Medicine!

Is Your Asthma e-Asthma? New Medicine!

* e-Asthma is category of moderate and severe asthma

* Patients with e-Asthma have difficulty getting asthma control with inhalers

* e-Asthma responds well to a new type of injected medicine

* In such patients, this new medicine can decrease their asthma attacks and allow them to use less oral steroid.

     e-Asthma is a type of severe asthma that responds well to a new kind of control medicine that you inject under skin, usually monthly.

     Severe Asthma means:

  1. You’ve been on a high dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a long-acting bronchodilator or theophylline for the past year; and/or
  2. You’ve been treated with steroids (like Prednisone) by mouth for more than half of the past year.

Wondering what “high dose” ICS means?

 

Definition of high dose*
ICS Age 6 – 12 years Age > 12 yrs
Beclomethasone (Qvar) ≥ 320 mcg/day ≥ 1000 mcg/day
Budesonide (Pulmicort) ≥ 800 mcg/day ≥ 1600 mcg/day
Ciclesonide (Alvesco) ≥ 160 mcg/day ≥ 320 mcg/day
Fluticasone (Flovent) ≥ 500 mcg/day ≥ 1000 mcg/day
Mometasone (Asmanex)  ≥ 500 mcg/day ≥ 800 mcg/day
*European Respiratory Society: Eur Respir J Feb 2014 43:343-373

There is a new type of injectable asthma medicine has been shown to dramatically:

1. Reduce the number of asthma attacks you will have

2. Reduce how much oral steroid (like Prednisone) and ICS you need to stay in control.

You would be likely to get a good response to this new medicine if:

  1. Your eosinophils are elevated in your bloodstream, and
  2. Your allergy testing shows that you are triggered by seasonal allergens.

So, let’s review:

If 

You have been on high dose ICS (see above) or oral steroid for more than half of the year,

AND

You have skin allergy tests that show a problem

THEN

I would recommend having your blood drawn to measure your eosinophil count.

If your eosinophil count is elevated (35-700 IU/mL), you would be a good candidate to try this new type of medicine.

What medications would be considered?

Here is a list of subcutaneous medications that can be ordered for e-Asthma:

 

Omallzumab (Xolair) injected every 2 or 4 weeks depending on your eosinophil count and age

Dupilumab (Dupixent) injected every 2 weeks

Mepolizumab (Nucala) injected every 4 weeks

Benralizumab (Fasenra) injected every 4 weeks for 3 doses, then every 8 weeks.

Tezepelumab (Tezspire) injected every 4 weeks.  This medicine does not require any history of elevated eosinophils or prior testing for allergic asthma.

These medications are quite new and it will take some time for general practitioners to become educated about prescribing them.

But, on Asthmaniac.com they are available RIGHT NOW and if you are suffering from moderate or severe asthma, they could be a really good solution for getting your severe asthma under control.

Asthmaniac IS your online asthma doctor for prescriptions, consultations, education and followup.  Book Today!

#asthmacontrolnow
#telemedicineasthmacare
#backpocketasthmadoc
#asthmaactionplan
#asthmacontroltest
#asthmacontroller
#rescueinhaler
#asthmacovid19
#childrenandasthma
#eprescription
#easthma
#peakexpiratoryflow
#peakflowmeter
#asthmaniac

 

Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?

Why do we use steroids in asthma? * Inflammation of the airways is the underlying problem in asthma * Steroids like Prednisone and Decadron are taken by mouth * Steroids like betamethasone and fluticasone are inhaled like albuterol. * Steroids shut down...

Asthma Action Plan: Personalized Just For You!

* Your personal Asthma Action Plan is your quick-reference guide telling you how to react to changes in your breathing. * Your plan uses your Peak Expiratory Flow readings and  ACT scores to determine if your asthma is in control. * Your Asthma Action Plan...

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate: How We Measure and Why?

* Peak Expiratory Flow is measured by you, several times a week using a small pocket-sized flowmeter * You record the number measured by this devise. * This number shows how well you are able to exhale and tells me if we have your lung inflammation under...

Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It

* The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a survey that you fill out about your breathing symptoms. * Your score on this survey will classify your asthma into 3 levels: Well Controlled, Not Well Controlled, and Poorly Controlled * These classifications are used...

What Is Eosinophilic Asthma?

What Is Eosinophilic Asthma?

What Is Eosinophilic Asthma?

If you’ve never heard of “eosinophilic” asthma, you’re not alone. It’s rare compared to other types of asthma, but it can be severe.

Asthmaniac, your online asthma doctor, can help with your diagnosis. In the meantime, here’s an overview of what eosinophilic asthma is and how sufferers can control their asthma.

What Is Eosinophilic Asthma?

Eosinophilic asthma is a subtype of asthma conditions. It’s caused by high numbers of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the bloodstream.

Normally, these white blood cells help your body by fighting off infections. White blood cells cause inflammation, which is normally a helpful process for destroying germs.

For some people, though, the immune system doesn’t respond as expected and the levels of eosinophils are too high. Too much inflammation causes the airways to swell, which leads to breathing difficulties and other signs of severe asthma.

Is Eosinophilic Asthma More Severe?

What’s concerning about this condition is that yes – it’s often associated with severe asthma. If it’s not managed properly, it can reduce a person’s quality of life and cause more frequent asthma attacks.

The good news is that there are treatment options available to help manage the condition. We’re more than happy to discuss possible management strategies with you – book a consultation online today.

Who Does Eosinophilic Asthma Affect?

Eosinophilic asthma causes are still not fully understood, but here’s what we do know about this condition.

  • It typically affects adults aged between 35 and 50 who don’t have allergies.
  • Since it often presents as shortness of breath rather than wheezing, it may not seem like asthma at first.
  • Children and young adults can develop the condition, but it’s rare.

If you’re an adult developing asthma for the first time, you should be checked for this subtype of asthma.

What Triggers Eosinophilic Asthma?

It’s unclear what causes eosinophilic asthma. Unlike some other forms of asthma, which may be triggered by allergens, viruses, or even exercise, there are no obvious reasons why people develop eosinophilic asthma.

Since there’s no obvious trigger, treatment can be more difficult. This is because asthma management often involves avoiding triggers, such as dust or high intensity exercise. However, we’re here to help – contact Asthmaniac to discuss a possible management strategy.

Graphic of doctors listening to lung sounds inspecting lungs for asthma signs

Eosinophilic Asthma Symptoms

The symptoms of eosinophilic asthma vary. However, the most common symptoms associated with this condition are:

  • Chest tightness
  • Chronic sinus infections
  • Coughing
  • Diminished or lost sense of smell
  • Nasal congestion
  • Nasal polyps
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing

Eosinophilic asthma can cause severe symptoms. However, these symptoms can be caused by other conditions. It’s important you receive an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare provider if you think you may have a respiratory condition.

Diagnosing Eosinophilic Asthma

This subtype of asthma may be suspected in adults with asthma which does not respond well to treatment.

  • If eosinophilic asthma is suspected, your doctor may run a test on your white blood cells to check your eosinophil count.
  • Tests such as lung function tests may also be performed to check for swelling in the airways.
  • Other signs, such as nasal polyps, could indicate you are dealing with this type of asthma.

Signs of an Asthma Attack

As with any other form of asthma, it’s important to know the signs that your condition is not properly controlled. Otherwise, you’re at an increased risk of an asthma attack. 

Signs that you may need an asthma review include:

  • Disrupted sleep caused by wheezing, coughing, or chest tightness
  • Inability to perform your normal daily activities
  • Reduced peak flow readings
  • Using your rescue inhaler more frequently

You should seek medical attention if you develop the following symptoms:

  • Blue lips or fingers
  • Fast breathing and heart rate
  • Severe chest tightness
  • Inability to have a conversation due to breathing difficulties
  • No relief from your usual asthma medication

These are signs you may be having an asthma attack which requires prompt medical care.

Eosinophilic Asthma Treatment

Eosinophilic asthma is hard – but not impossible – to manage. 

The condition doesn’t respond well to inhaled corticosteroids, which is a first-line asthma treatment. Fortunately, there is a new type of medication that is very effective for controlling eosinophilic asthma. 

This medication is injected weekly, using a fine needle and syringe, a short distance under the skin. Research studies have demonstrated a potent effect of this type of medicine for reducing inflammation in the airways and cutting down on asthma attacks, oral glucocorticoid dependence, and rescue inhaler use. 

Since eosinophilic asthma treatment is more aggressive, it can cause more severe side effects. These should be discussed with a doctor so you understand the pros and cons.

How Asthmaniac Can Help With Your Eosinophilic Asthma Diagnosis

Do you have eosinophilic asthma? Asthmaniac, your online asthma doctor, can help. Use our telemedicine consultation services to discuss your condition, review your medicine, and devise a treatment plan. We can even update or change your prescription if required – all from the comfort of your own home.

To find out more about what eosinophilic asthma is, or to book an asthma review, contact us now.

Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?

Why do we use steroids in asthma? * Inflammation of the airways is the underlying problem in asthma * Steroids like Prednisone and Decadron are taken by mouth * Steroids like betamethasone and fluticasone are inhaled like albuterol. * Steroids shut down...

Asthma Action Plan: Personalized Just For You!

* Your personal Asthma Action Plan is your quick-reference guide telling you how to react to changes in your breathing. * Your plan uses your Peak Expiratory Flow readings and  ACT scores to determine if your asthma is in control. * Your Asthma Action Plan...

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate: How We Measure and Why?

* Peak Expiratory Flow is measured by you, several times a week using a small pocket-sized flowmeter * You record the number measured by this devise. * This number shows how well you are able to exhale and tells me if we have your lung inflammation under...

Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It

* The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a survey that you fill out about your breathing symptoms. * Your score on this survey will classify your asthma into 3 levels: Well Controlled, Not Well Controlled, and Poorly Controlled * These classifications are used...

PM2.5 and Asthma

PM2.5 and Asthma

PM2.5 and Asthma

* PM2.5 is a tiny particle suspended in the air.

* It is present in hot, dry, and polluted environments.

* When inhaled, PM2.5 triggers inflammation in bronchi, driving bronchospasm and asthma attacks.

* How do you protect yourself?

 

PM2.5: This Tiny Particle

Is A Big Asthma Problem!

You have asthma.  You go to work, drive with the windows down, walk outside, or perhaps even run or bicycle outside on a hot smoky or dusty day.  Next thing you know, your chest is tight, you are coughing, and you can feel that you are wheezing.  What happened?  There’s a pretty good chance the trigger is something called PM2.5.

Time to learn about PM2.5! Where does it come from, how it moves, and why does it make your asthma go crazy?

What Is PM2.5?

PM2.5 is Particulate Matter that is smaller than 2.5 micrometers. It a very small particle,  1/30 the diameter of a human hair!  Particles this small are invisible to your eyes but there is one organ that is very good a deteting them:  Your lungs!

Particles this small stay suspended in the air and when inhaled, move down your trachea, bronchi, all the way to your alveoli, and even into your blood stream!  Not good!  But if you have asthma lungs that are queued up for bronchospasm, this can be really bad.

What is the source of PM2.5?

PM2.5 is generated in many ways including:

  • Car and truck exhaust
  • Motor vehicle tire wear
  • Factories and power plants
  • Fires (like wildfires, campfires, and even fireplaces at home)
  • Construction sites (dust and debris)
  • Cigarette and vape smoke
  • Burning garbage

We now know cooking (especially frying or grilling) can also generate PM2.5, right in your kitchen or on the patio!  Oh brother!

There are some natural, non-man-made sources of  PM2.5 such as volcanoes or dust storms but most is created by human processes.

Spreading PM2.5.

The size and lightness of PM2.5 particles allows them to easily float in the air, setting them up for many miles of movement on the wind.  That means you could be miles from where the PM2.5 particles are being generated and still have an effect on your breathing!

Even non-wind climate conditions can worsen the reaction to PM2.5.  Hot, dry conditions allow PM2.5 to accumulate to high levels, reducing air quality and in cities in particular, leads to air quality alerts for people with asthma and other lung conditions.

Asthma and PM2.5: Not a good mix!

PM2.5 creates several problems in the airways and lungs of people with asthma:

  • Irritation: Generally, asthma causes bronchi and bronchioles (breathing tubes) and you’re your lungs to be very sensitive to irritants of any kind. The size of PM2.5 particles makes them particularly good at stimulating irritation of airways.  In this way, they act as a trigger for airway constriction.  Even if you are taking daily medicine to reduce trigger effects, PM2.5 can overwhelm these medicine and next thing you know:  you will cough, wheeze, or feel short of breath.
  • Inflammation: As you know in your study of asthma, it is a disease of heightened inflammation in your airways. When PM2.5 lands on the lining of your airways, it stimulates a reaction that does what you need least: More inflammation.  And that’s true even when you are taking a daily controller medicine aimed to control inflammation.
  • Long-term damage: Here is where we are learning the most of long-term asthma effects. Through its trigger and inflammation effects, PM2.5 can drive irreversible damage in your airways, progressively destroying the ability of the lungs to move oxygen.  Next thing you know, you’ll have emphysema with your asthma!

Asthma sufferers and those with established lung disease aren’t the only ones affected.  Even healthy people experience airway problems when exposed to PM2.5.

Protecting Your Lungs?

PM2.5 is everywhere, worse in cities, and worse in hot, dry, dusty and smoky conditions.  You can’t always just avoid such places, so what to do.

  • Monitor air quality: With most weather apps and television weather reports, air quality is rated and warnings are issued when there are dangerous levels of PM2.5.
  • On bad days: Stay indoors with the windows and doors closed and when you need to go outside, wear a mask that can block PM2.5 such as our old friend, the N95.
  • In the house: Use an air purifier and a quality filter to keep the PM2.5 level low.
  • Avoid smoke: Avoid all smoke and anything that creates smoke-like particles.  Outside, that’s campfires, auto exhaust, factory exhaust, grass- or forest-fires, and any open burning.  In your personal space, cigarettes, vapes, and any smoking apparati will be creating PM2.5.  Just say no!
  • Action Plan:  If you get exposed, and your airways begin to spasm, activate your asthma action plan and don’t hesitate to call for help if your rescue and control measures arn’t working!
  • Monitor Your Breathing:  Use the Asthma Control Test to track your symptoms.  An uptick in your score is an early clue that that your asthma is getting out of control

Wrap Up

PM2.5 is tiny, easily moved, concentrated in hot, dry and urban evironments, and can be a big trigger for your airway irritation and inflammation.  Avoid it where possible, block it when you can, and remember your action plan if things go off the rails.  If you are still struggling, make the call and go to the ER or call 911.  Don’t wait until your irritation and inflammation become very advanced!  Instead, be aware of PM2.5, be smart, understand your asthma, and breathe best!

#asthmacontrolnow
#telemedicineasthmacare
#backpocketasthmadoc
#asthmaactionplan
#asthmacontroltest
#asthmacontroller
#rescueinhaler
#asthmacovid19
#childrenandasthma
#eprescription
#easthma
#peakexpiratoryflow
#peakflowmeter
#asthmaniac

 

Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?

Why do we use steroids in asthma? * Inflammation of the airways is the underlying problem in asthma * Steroids like Prednisone and Decadron are taken by mouth * Steroids like betamethasone and fluticasone are inhaled like albuterol. * Steroids shut down...

Asthma Action Plan: Personalized Just For You!

* Your personal Asthma Action Plan is your quick-reference guide telling you how to react to changes in your breathing. * Your plan uses your Peak Expiratory Flow readings and  ACT scores to determine if your asthma is in control. * Your Asthma Action Plan...

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate: How We Measure and Why?

* Peak Expiratory Flow is measured by you, several times a week using a small pocket-sized flowmeter * You record the number measured by this devise. * This number shows how well you are able to exhale and tells me if we have your lung inflammation under...

Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It

* The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a survey that you fill out about your breathing symptoms. * Your score on this survey will classify your asthma into 3 levels: Well Controlled, Not Well Controlled, and Poorly Controlled * These classifications are used...