Check with your GP or asthma nurse for any limits or precautions you should be aware of before your child starts to exercise. If their asthma is well controlled there should be no reason why they can’t exercise. If they have had exercise induced asthma in the past, they may be reluctant to try exercise […]
What should I bring? If you have a reliever inhaler remember to take it with you. If you have any other medicine which you have been advised to carry with you, take them too, for example a GTN (glycerol trinitrate) angina spray. If you normally use a walking aid then bring that with you too. […]
Using a Peak Flow meter and keeping a diary will show any early changes in your airways, allowing action to be taken. Using your appropriate treatments effectively: Steroid inhalers to reduced inflammation in airways. Reliever inhalers to prevent airway spasm. Try a bedtime routine: Avoid distractions like television, mobile or tablet use in your bedroom. […]
Please note: These are the most commonly used inhalers at the time of publication of this website. If you do not see your inhaler you can speak to your GP or pharmacist or check the patient information leaflet for your inhaler and medication.
Long acting relievers work in a similar way to the short acting anti-muscarinics but as the name suggest, their effect lasts for longer, 12-24 hours, depending on drug. If you are taking one of these long acting anti-muscarinics, then you should no longer be taking a short acting anti-muscarinic (ipratropium). Please note: These are the […]
Relievers (or bronchodilators) are inhaled medicines which help by opening up the airways. Salbutamol and terbutaline help relax the muscles in the airways. They work fairly quickly, within about 15 minutes and last for 4 to 6 hours. Ipratropium gives relief in COPD and usually works within 30 to 60 minutes. It lasts for 3-6 […]
Recent research shows that most people who died of an asthma attack had an “avoidable factor” identified after their death. Avoidable factors are things you can have some influence over to help minimise the risk of a life threatening asthma attack. Go for review at least once or twice a year – even if your child […]
If your child is co-operative and they can swallow tablets, give the daily dose as soon as they wake up in the morning. If they can’t swallow tablets, doctors usually prescribe pink dissolving tablets. Try to dissolve all the tablets in a small amount of lukewarm water as that helps them to dissolve completely. No […]
10 puffs of blue reliever inhaler through a spacer is similar to giving a nebuliser, and can be effective in treating children. You should still get your child checked even if they have settled and appear to be better. You might think “but I don’t want to bother the doctor!” as you think the child […]
Important Give your child 10 puffs of their blue reliever inhaler through a spacer device. You would expect to see some relief after 10 minutes. If your child is still struggling after this dose call 999 for an ambulance and continue to give a puff of their reliever inhaler every minute until help arrives. If […]
