What are the most common Asthma mistakes?
While there are a number of common mistakes people can make in preventing and managing their asthma, here we’re going to look at the Top 3.
1. NOT following your Asthma Action Plan
And, by following it – we mean every day! There are people who think they’re ticking along nicely with their asthma & if they haven’t had a flare-up for a while, they’ll perhaps reduce how often they take their preventer. Or, forget entirely.
But your preventer is so crucial! It desensitises your airway, reduces inflammation and takes days or even weeks to work. So it’s needed every day to keep your symptoms away.
Also, if you’re having to use your reliever puffer 2 or more times a week for symptoms, then your Asthma may not be under control and you need to revisit your plan with your Doctor.
2. Trying to avoid ALL triggers
Now, don’t get me wrong – it is incredibly important to know your triggers and manage them well. Understanding your triggers is key because it allows you to avoid your triggers where practical, or prepare you to be proactive with your management where you can’t. A perfect example is using your reliever puffer prior to exercise.
But, as I mentioned earlier, my daughter’s asthma symptoms can be triggered by laughter! Bit hard to avoid that in a child.
When normal aspects of life like exercise, colds, flu, air quality and even thunderstorms for others can trigger asthma, then rather than seeking to avoid these entirely, it’s best to focus on working with your Doctor to bring your asthma under control with the right preventer for you, and then carrying your reliever wherever you go.
3. Not using a SPACER, or using it INCORRECTLY with your reliever puffer
Even the most experienced puffer users MUST use a spacer with a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI), or the old fashioned puffer, to ensure correct and effective distribution. Without a spacer, only a small proportion of medication reaches lungs, as most stays in the mouth, tongue, throat or stomach.
Using a spacer correctly ensures that a greater proportion of the medication reaches the lungs where it is needed.
So, whatever your age A SPACER IS A MUST with a MDI! Then remember that it’s 1 puff to 4 breaths!
Putting more than 1 puff into a spacer is a very common mistake that I see. As you’ll see in the videos below, 1 puff to 4 breaths through a spacer is an easy technique that everyone of all ages can achieve.
These other Asthma Australia videos are also a must-watch for great examples of how to use other asthma devices correctly.