Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?
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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 inflammation in asthma
* Lung inflammation in moderate asthma can be controlled but not cured.
The basic problem in asthma lungs is inflammation.
Inflammation means swelling, oozing, and fragility of the lining of breathing tubes.
This inflammation leads to extra mucus production and this mucus, along with swelling in the walls of these tubes, creates a extra resistance to air flow.
When these breathing tubes are inflamed with swelling and mucus, the effort to move air, especially out of the lungs, can be exhausting.
My goal is to help you keep a lid on this inflammation. In asthma, there will always be a tendency for it to get out of control.
But, with the right medication and avoidance of triggers, you can stay out of the ER, get restful sleep, and be as active as an Olympic athlete!
Now, when the inflammation is out of control, we have only one choice.
SHUT IT DOWN.
The most potent and fast acting medicine we have for this is corticosteroids.
We say steroids for short.
This isn’t the type of steroids injected by weight lifters to make big muscles – those are called anabolic steroids..
Corticosteroids work inside the walls of breathing tubes to block the inflammation process.
They work, but their action is not immediate.
Prednisone and Dexamethasone are the most common forms used in non-hospitalized asthma patients.
These steroids are taken by mouth, or if your breathing is really bad, they are given intravenously.
Either medicine must be taken for 3-5 days straight for the full effect.
After these medicines shut down the inflammation process in the breathing tubes, we are in a position to launch a new asthma action plan that includes stronger controller medicine in the form of inhaled steroids, also called controllers.
These inhaled corticosteroids have dramatically changed the course of asthma.
Lives have been saved and many days of disrupted sleep, work, & school have been prevented.
For more severe asthma sufferers, there are new medications – biologics, that make even more dramatic improvements in severe asthma control.
For most moderate asthma patients, inhaled corticosteroids will be a cornerstone of their asthma action plan.
Finding the right type of steroid, the frequency that works, and the one that you and your insurance company accept is a really important part of asthma care.
If you are using your albuterol rescue inhaler daily and aren’t using a steroid inhaler, you need one.
If you are using your albuterol rescue inhaler more than two times per week and you ARE on a steroid inhaler, you need a change that delivers more steroid either per dose or more times per day.
If you are ready to make a change, grab an appointment and lets talk!
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- SMART: Smart and Simple Asthma Care!
- Asthmaniac Uses ePrescriptions for Your Medicine!
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Children and Asthma: Different from Adult Asthma?
* Asthma is present in about 10% of children. * Asthma in children is diagnosed when your child has recurring episodes of wheezing that are relieved by rescue medicine such as albuterol * Asthma in children is treated with the same medicines and treatment...
NEVER run Out of Asthma Inhaler Medicine!
* Finding your inhaler empty when the tightness starts IS NOT A GOOD FEELING! ..You need your rescue inhaler ..When you need it! ..Without it, it is probably a trip to the ER and ..a few days of having messed up breathing. * Asthmaniac delivers quick...
Do You Need an Affordable Doctor?
As with other chronic diseases, affordability is important for Asthma Control
* The cost of asthma control can be a barrier:
* Many costs of asthma care can exceed what those without insurance can afford. These include:
* The cost of asthma medication.
* The cost of doctor visits
* The cost pulmonary function testing.
I endeavor to keep my consults to you AFFORDABLE.
I am constantly looking for the best way to get you medication that fits your budget.
Asthma Attack Triggers: Keep a Lid On It!
Triggers for wheezing (bronchoconstriction) include:
* Pollen
* Dust Mites
* Cockroaches
* Mold
* Pet dander
* Tobacco Smoke
To prevent wheezing, you need to avoid these triggers.
If avoiding them isn’t possible, I can prescribe medicine suppresses the effect of triggers.
SMART: Smart and Simple Asthma Care!
* SMART means: ..simple ..control & ..rescue! SMART therapy stands for Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy. At Asthmaniac, we the words "maintenance" and "controller" mean the same thing. Likewise, "reliever" and "rescue" are interchangeable....
Asthmaniac Uses ePrescriptions for Your Medicine!
* Electronic prescriptions mean: ..More accuracy in the order, ..More convenience for you, ..No paper to lose, and ..It’s FAST! * Asthmaniac sends all orders for prescription medication to the pharmacy of your choice. Asthma is one disease that...