Essential facts about asthma for kids and adults

Difficulty breathing from asthma can be a scary experience for kids, parents, and even adults who struggle with this condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 8% of adults and 6% have asthma. 

If left untreated, asthma can progress to hospitalizations, ICU visits, and breathing tubes. Here are the top 9 most important asthma facts to help control and prevent this breathing issue.

Use a spacer with your asthma inhaler to reduce side effects.

Multiple studies have shown that even the best training on using inhalers (putting the device directly up to your mouth) still causes a lot of the medication to hit the tongue instead of going into the lungs where it is needed. This can result in more side effects, like sore throat or respiratory infections, and less of the benefits of an inhaler.

The easiest way to increase inhalation is to use a spacer – a plastic piece that sits between the inhaler and your mouth. This tool allows the medicine to fully aerosolize so it can be pulled into the lungs where it is needed.

To properly use an inhaler with a spacer, follow these simple instructions:

• Shake the inhaler 10 to 15 times before using.
• Attach the spacer to the inhaler.
• Breathe out all the air in your lungs.
• Put the spacer between your teeth and close your lips around it.
• Start breathing in slowly through your mouth and puff the inhaler one time.
• Once you have taken a full breath, hold your breath.
• Take the spacer out of your mouth and keep holding your breath for 10 seconds.
• Once you are done, rinse your mouth with water to help reduce the side effects.

If you are unsure how to use your inhaler and spacer correctly, speak with a healthcare provider or pharmacist who can help. 

Prevent asthma attacks: Choose proactive treatments

The path to treating asthma has many steps, but typically the first thing any doctor offers is an albuterol inhaler. Albuterol can be an asthma lifesaver, but it’s generally used to treat symptoms that have already occurred. It is not a way to prevent future symptoms from happening. 

When albuterol is needed multiple times per week, it’s time to talk to your doctor about an inhaled steroid medication that will prevent asthma symptoms from even occurring in the first place. Keep the albuterol on hand for any urgent symptoms that may occur.

Wash out your mouth after a steroid inhaler

While inhaled steroids have a much lower chance of side effects compared to swallowed steroids, they fundamentally work by calming down the immune system. While that helps reduce inflammation in the lungs and prevent asthma, it can also slightly weaken the immune system in the mouth and allow for thrush or a yeast infection in the mouth, sore throat, or other respiratory issues. 

Be sure to rinse your mouth out after each use. Since these medications are often used twice a day, it’s a good idea to keep them within reach. Place them next to your toothbrush since brushing is a handy way to remove the excess med in your mouth and keep your immune system strong.

Asthma changes as we age

One interesting fact about asthma is that it may go away as you age, especially if you are diagnosed as a child. Asthma is caused by airways that are too narrow to let the air out of our lungs fast enough. Wheezing is the result of the air becoming turbulent when it’s pushed out too quickly. 

Think of it like replacing a normal drinking straw with the thin straws used with cocktails; it is much harder to move fluids through the straw. Several things can contribute to having narrow airways and being predisposed to asthma, such as being born with smaller airways or having inflammation or mucous during illness. As kids grow, so do their airways. This can often improve asthma symptoms.

All wheezing is not asthma

One important fact about asthma is that while a common symptom is wheezing in children and adults, it is not the only cause of wheezing. Any episodes of new wheezing should be examined by a healthcare professional. A single episode of wheezing in an infant doesn’t necessarily mean asthma. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of other respiratory conditions. 

Know your triggers: Allergies, exercise, cold air, smoke

One fact about asthma is that it can be quite personal. Everyone’s asthma and airways react differently to different triggers. These triggers result in spasms or narrowing of our airways. Once they hit a certain threshold when air can no longer move smoothly, turbulent wheezing and asthma symptoms occur.

Here are a few common triggers of asthma and how to lower your risk of an asthma attack around them:

• Viral respiratory infections. Being sick with a viral infection like RSV or the flu can make asthma symptoms worse. While you can’t prevent a viral illness, it is important to pay close attention to any worsening respiratory symptoms and to get medical attention if needed.
• Pollution and smoke. Airborne pollutants and smoke can worsen asthma. Avoid being around smoke, use unscented products at home and ensure proper ventilation inside the house to limit exposure to indoor pollutants. 
• Allergies. Allergens can be found both indoors and outdoors and may be seasonal. For indoor allergies, use allergy-proof covers and consider a dehumidifier indoors. For outdoor allergies, reduce exposure by keeping windows closed during allergy season.
• Cold air. Cold, dry air can irritate the lungs and cause inflammation in the airways. Limit exposure to cold air when possible or adjust medications if needed.
• Exercise. During exercise, the airways are working harder than normal, which can trigger asthma. Consider taking albuterol 20-30 minutes before you start exercising. 

It’s important for those with asthma to know their triggers and, if directed by a healthcare provider, to pre-emptively use albuterol to prevent asthma symptoms before they start.

Rescue inhalers: The key to success

Treating unexpected asthma symptoms requires having direct access to a rescue inhaler. Conversely, they don’t do much good if you can’t get to them. Be sure to have one readily accessible wherever you go.

For kids, this may mean having one at home, one in the car, and one in their backpack for school. Put a piece of red tape around rescue inhalers so they are quickly and easily identified. This will help them not get confused with everyday controller inhalers. Remember that steroid inhalers shouldn’t be used to treat asthma symptoms that are suddenly worsening.

The best way to stay out of the hospital is to have an asthma action plan

Having access to the right medications is only the first step to managing your asthma. Often, asthma worsens when doctors aren’t easily available. The good news is that patients can sometimes change their medications on their own, as specifically directed by their healthcare provider in advance, known as an Asthma Action Plan. 

These types of plans result in a controlled increase of inhaler use to prevent the progression of asthma that may land you in the hospital. These plans are lifesaving and recommended by many professional medical societies. Talk to your healthcare provider about creating this action plan.

When to seek medical help for asthma

If you have followed the recommendations of your healthcare provider and are still having symptoms of difficulty breathing, it’s important to ensure you do not suffer. A few symptoms that may indicate you need to seek immediate medical attention for asthma include:

• You are severely short of breath.
• You can’t do your typical activities.
• You have a peak flow below 50%.
• Having difficulty walking or talking.
• Take 30 breaths per minute.
• Blue nails or lips.
• Stretching of the skin around the ribs or throat when inhaling.

Be sure to take note of when and where you are having these difficulties – the more details you can provide to your healthcare provider, the better!

Conclusion: Empowering yourself with knowledge

Knowing facts about asthma is the best way to manage this condition. Learning about how to properly take medications, manage triggers, and identify when it is time to seek medical attention is the best way to be proactive about your health.

If you need help managing your asthma symptoms, our urgent care centers are here to help. To get started, find your closest center and walk in or save your spot online. Virtual Visits are also available if you prefer to discuss your symptoms from the comfort of your own home. 

Don’t let asthma symptoms prevent you from activities you enjoy, let our caring providers help you feel better sooner. 

Sources:

1. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Medications-Used-to-Treat-Asthma.aspx
2. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/asthma
3. https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=3
4. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6004521/