A chronic inflammatory airway condition causing recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Highly controllable with correct medication and trigger avoidance.
Know the difference between your two inhalers. RELIEVER (usually blue — salbutamol/Ventolin): opens airways quickly during an attack. Use when symptoms occur. PREVENTER (usually brown, orange, or purple — corticosteroid): reduces inflammation daily. Use every day even when well. Never stop preventer inhaler without medical advice.
For an acute asthma attack: sit upright, lean forward slightly with hands on knees. This position maximises airflow. Loosen tight clothing.
Use reliever inhaler: 2 to 4 puffs via spacer, or direct if no spacer. Wait 20 to 30 seconds between puffs. If no improvement after 5 minutes, take 2 to 4 more puffs. Can repeat up to 3 times over 15 minutes.
Correct inhaler technique with spacer: shake the inhaler, attach to spacer, exhale fully, seal lips around spacer mouthpiece, press inhaler once, breathe in slowly and deeply, hold for 10 seconds, breathe out slowly.
Stay calm. Panic worsens an asthma attack by increasing respiratory rate and muscle tension.
Identify and avoid your triggers. Common triggers: dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, cold air, exercise, strong smells, respiratory infections, and stress.
Take preventer inhaler every day as prescribed — even when feeling completely well. It prevents attacks from happening. The most common cause of poor asthma control is stopping preventer medication.
Have an action plan. Know when to use more reliever medication and when to go to hospital.
Rinse mouth after using preventer inhaler — reduces risk of oral thrush.
Reliever inhaler not helping after 3 uses in 15 minutes.
Person cannot speak in full sentences due to breathlessness.
Breathing rate above 25 per minute at rest.
Lips or fingernails turning blue.
The person is exhausted from the effort of breathing.
Silent chest — no wheeze despite obvious breathing difficulty means very little air is moving, severe attack.
Do not stop preventer inhaler because you feel well — it is preventing the attacks.
Never give a sedative to someone having an asthma attack — it suppresses breathing drive.
Asthma attacks can be fatal — do not underestimate a severe attack.
If reliever inhaler is not working after 3 doses — this is a severe attack. Go to hospital immediately.
✓ What Helps
· Salbutamol (Ventolin) reliever inhaler — for acute symptom relief
· Beclometasone or budesonide preventer inhaler — daily use reduces attacks
· Spacer device — significantly improves inhaler effectiveness, especially for children
✗ What To Avoid
· Aspirin and ibuprofen in aspirin-sensitive asthmatics — can trigger severe attacks in some
· Beta-blocker medications — can worsen asthma
· Smoke exposure of any kind
→ Ask The Pharmacist For
· Preventer inhaler prescription if having attacks more than twice per week
· Written asthma action plan from your doctor
· Annual asthma review to assess control and adjust medication
🏥 Get Professional Help
Go to hospital immediately if the reliever inhaler is not working after 3 doses, if you cannot speak in full sentences, if lips are turning blue, or if breathing is becoming exhausted. See your doctor for an annual asthma review and whenever control deteriorates.
Do I need to use my preventer inhaler every day even when I feel fine?
Yes. The preventer works by reducing inflammation over time. Missing doses allows inflammation to build up and makes attacks more likely. Use it every morning and evening as prescribed.
What is a spacer and do I need one?
A spacer is a chamber that attaches to your inhaler and holds the medication as a mist so you can breathe it in slowly. It improves the amount reaching your lungs by up to 50% compared to using the inhaler alone. Everyone with asthma should use one.
Can I exercise with asthma?
Yes. Regular exercise improves asthma control over time. Use your reliever inhaler 15 minutes before exercise if exercise-induced symptoms are an issue. Warm up slowly and breathe through the nose.