The most effective way to get inhaled medicine into a child’s lungs is to use a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) or “puffer” with a spacer. This gets about 80% of the inhaled medicine into the child’s lungs. For very young children get them used to handling the inhaler and spacer. Make sure the child is calm […]
Inhaler technique can be hard to get right even for a co-operative, well coordinated adult who is motivated and understands why they need to take an inhaler. They can be very challenging to give an unco-operative, sick or distressed child who might not understand what the inhaler is for. However it is not impossible. It […]
Night-time symptoms can be the worst to deal with for many. It can be hard to give asthma medicine or inhalers when your child is sleepy and you have just been woken up. These symptoms range from a persistent cough or wheeze when the child first lies down to sometimes happening in the middle of […]
Your doctor may decide there is a strong possibility that your child has asthma. Remember there is not one single test to confirm asthma. They will want to see if the child will respond and improve with asthma treatment or not. Giving asthma medicines to small children, especially inhalers, is not easy and it can […]
Combination inhalers: Are a combination of a steroid and a long acting reliever. Can be used when a steroid alone does not control asthma symptoms. Are a treatment which can be stepped up and down according to asthma control. Please note: These are the most commonly used inhalers at the time of publication of this […]
You may find you have a dry mouth from time to time. Using oxygen, nebulisers and inhalers can sometimes cause this. It can make it difficult to chew and swallow foods. Some medicines can also give you a dry mouth. Check with your GP if this is a problem for you. If you are struggling […]
You should receive a review from your doctor or more commonly, your practice nurse at least once per year. This will involve: A discussion about any changes in your symptoms A check of your breathing and lung function. If your symptoms have changed significantly you may be retested using the spirometry test. A discussion about […]
The aim of an asthma review is to find out how you are getting on, tailor your treatment to your asthma symptoms and support you looking after yourself and managing your asthma. Make sure you ask any questions you may have about your asthma. Sometimes it is helpful to make some notes in advance about […]
Your healthcare professional should explain to you what the term ‘asthma’ means for you, as well as giving some written information or refer you to additional information like asthma websites. You will be started on some treatment depending on the severity of your symptoms and shown how to use your inhalers correctly. You should have […]
