Keep a reliever inhaler with you all the time and use it when your symptoms flare up, before you expect to come into contact with your asthma triggers, and when you run into unexpected triggers
use it is with a spacer, a tube that goes between your inhaler and your mouth. Spacers are usually made out of plastic and help you get the best from your asthma medicine if you use a metered dose inhaler. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use your inhaler and spacer properly so that every dose is effective.
Why is it important to keep
your asthma under control? There are simple treatments that help keep the symptoms under control so it doesn't have a significant impact on your life. The most effective long-term
medicines reduce airway inflammation, which helps prevent symptoms from happening.
Good asthma control will:
• Prevent chronic and troublesome symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath.
• Reduce your need for quick-relief medicines (see below)
• Help you maintain good lung function.
• Allow you to maintain your normal activity level and get a better night’s sleep.
Will giving up smoking help? Smoking is bad for everyone, but especially for people who have asthma. Smoking causes coughing and wheezing and makes it hard to breathe. So if you add smoke to lungs that are already irritated, you will have big-time breathing trouble. Your pharmacist can help you
achieve your goal to quit smoking. They can help you develop an action plan and choose a suitable stop smoking aid. They can also advise you how to manage cravings and cope with withdrawal symptoms Some specialist pharmacists can prescribe nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help you overcome cravings.
What’s the peak flow test? A peak flow test involves blowing as hard as you can into a peak flow meter. By measuring how fast you can breathe out, your score can indicate whether your airways are narrowed. If they are, it could be a sign you have asthma. If you've already been diagnosed
with asthma, measuring your peak flow regularly can help monitor your condition. Your score can show whether or not your asthma is getting worse, if your medication is working. Measuring your peak flow before and
after exposure to a possible asthma trigger may also show if anything in particular causes your symptoms. Besides helping you to give up
smoking, how can your pharmacist help you manage your asthma? Your pharmacist is a health
professional you can turn to for advice and support. Pharmacists are highly trained to answer questions about lots of health conditions, including asthma. As well as information and reassurance, some pharmacists also offer free repeat prescription services and peak flow checks.
advice? Need If you have questions about your
health or wellbeing that you'd like to see answered in these pages, write to us at All About Health, AAH, Sapphire Court, Coventry, CV2 2TX or email
allabouthealth@aah.co.uk.
If you have any questions about your
asthma, or if you feel your asthma is stopping you from leading the life you'd like, you can walk into any pharmacy and ask to see the pharmacist. This is useful because:
• You don't need an appointment
• Some pharmacies are open outside of GP surgery hours
• Pharmacies have private consultation rooms
Your pharmacist can also help you to manage your triggers as well as give you tips on how to manage your asthma and explain your medication.
Find your nearest Careway pharmacy at
www.careway.co.uk/find-a- pharmacy and ask in store about how your pharmacist can help you keep your asthma under control.
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