Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:04 — 5.7MB)
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 are used to control 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 mucs, along with swelling in the walls of these tubes, creates a extra resistance to air flow.
When these breathing tubes are inflammed 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. The tendency for it to get out of control will always be there – that’s the way asthma is.
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!
#asthmacontrolnow
#telemedicineasthmacare
#backpocketasthmadoc
#asthmaactionplan
#asthmacontroltest
#asthmacontroller
#rescueinhaler
#asthmacovid19
#childrenandasthma
#eprescription
#easthma
#peakexpiratoryflow
#peakflowmeter
#asthmaniac
All Posts
- FLOVENT: GOING, GONE!
- Asthma Primary Care Online!
- Asthmaniac Blog
- How to Create an Asthma Action Plan for School Students
- Phone Doctor Visits: They Work For Asthma Control!
- Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?
- Do You Need an Affordable Doctor?
- Can Asthma Be Cured Permanently?
- No Insurance? Asthmaniac Will Help You!
- Asthma House Cleaning Tips
- What Is Exercise Induced Asthma?
- What Is Eosinophilic Asthma?
- 6 Signs Your Asthma Is Getting Worse
- What Are Some Early Warning Signs of Asthma?
- How to Manage Nasal Polyps
- How to Use an Inhaler Correctly
- Tezspire for Breathing Your Best!
- Asthma Proof Your Home: Identify the Hot Spots
- Navigating Asthmaniac.com!
- Climate Change: How It Can Affect People with Allergies and Asthma
Can Asthma Be Cured Permanently?
Asthma affects nearly 25 million Americans. It’s one of our most common health conditions and it can be very difficult to live with. But is there such a thing as an asthma cure? Below, we consider the different treatments for asthma and how sufferers might prevent...
No Insurance? Asthmaniac Will Help You!
No Insurance is Not a Problem at Asthmaniac! ⇨ Got asthma? ⇨ No Insurance? Asthmaniac was made for you! Affordable $50 doctor visits ✓ State-of-the-Art Asthma Care All online! No Insurance = No Problem Asthmaniac was designed to deliver asthma care...
Asthma House Cleaning Tips
Keeping a clean and dust-free home is crucial for individuals with asthma, as it helps reduce the risk of triggering asthma symptoms. But deep cleaning a house with asthma can be hard–even light cleaning of a house with asthma can be hard if the conditions are wrong....
What Is Exercise Induced Asthma?
Do you have breathing difficulties when you exercise? Then you may have something called “exercise induced asthma”. Let's take a look at what causes this condition and what treatment options are available. What Is Exercise Induced Asthma? Exercise...
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...
6 Signs Your Asthma Is Getting Worse
If you have asthma, you might be used to coughing and wheezing sometimes. And if you have severe asthma, you may experience breathing difficulties more often than sufferers with a milder condition. That being said, your body will give you signs if your...