Live Well with Asthma - My Doctor Online

LIVE WELL WITH ASTHMA
Here are 3 key steps you can take to keep your asthma in
good control, using your Asthma Action Plan:
Following your Asthma Action Plan will help keep your asthma in good
control, so you can breathe well, stay active, and sleep through the night.
1
Pick a time of day to take your control medicine,
and stick to it.
2
Take your quick-relief medicine only when you
are experiencing asthma symptoms, or before
you start an activity.
3
Make sure your child gets a flu shot every
year to protect against the flu, one of the most
common asthma triggers.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Take your control medicine(s) every day, even
when you are feeling fine. Using your control
medicine daily keeps your breathing tubes clear,
keeps you breathing well, and helps you be able
to stay active doing the activities that you like
to do. After a few weeks of daily use, you will
notice fewer and fewer asthma symptoms.
Use your quick-relief medicine when you need
to. The medicine will help make you feel better
when you are having asthma symptoms, but
only last a short time. Take your rescue medicine
15 to 30 minutes before starting the activity or
exercise to help your breathing tubes clear so
you can continue to breathe well. If you have
to use your rescue inhaler more than twice a
week during the day, or twice a month at night,
your asthma may not be in good control. Please
contact your asthma care provider.
Learn to manage your triggers. Limiting your
exposure to the triggers listed on your Asthma
Action Plan will help you protect yourself against
asthma flare-ups.
How to use your inhaler
Are you using your
inhalers the right way?
It is important that your child
uses the inhaler and spacer
correctly. Ask your doctor to
check the way your child uses it.
1. Shake
the inhaler well,
remove cap, and insert it into
the spacer. Have your child
breathe out.
2. P
lace the mouthpiece in your
child’s mouth with his or her
tongue underneath.
3. Spray 1 puff.
4. Have your child breathe in
slowly and deeply.
5. H
ave him or her hold their
breath for 10 seconds, then
exhale.
6. If more medication is
needed, wait one minute and
repeat steps 1–5.
7. When done, take the inhaler
out of the spacer and replace
the cap.
How to use a metered
dose inhaler and
AeroChamber with mask
Using a spacer with mask allows
a young child to breathe in
several times in order to get an
accurate dose of medicine.
1. Shake the inhaler well,
remove cap, and insert it
into the spacer.
2. P
lace your child comfortably
on your lap. The back of
your child’s head should rest
against your chest.
3. P
lace the mask spacer
securely over your child’s
mouth and nose to create an
air-tight seal.
4. Spray 1 puff into the spacer.
5. H
ave your child breathe
normally for 5 to 6 breaths.
6. It is okay if your child cries. It
takes a deep breath to cry.
7. If more medication is needed,
wait one minute and repeat
steps 1–5.
8. When done, take the inhaler
out of the spacer and replace
the cap.
for several hours or overnight.
Clogging is less likely to
occur if the mouthpiece
dries completely. When
the mouthpiece is dry,
replace the canister and the
mouthpiece cap.
5. A
lways prime your inhaler
before your first use by
puffing the inhaler into
the air. Read your inhaler
instructions for how often it
should be reprimed.
6. Reprime your inhaler if it
Priming
Priming
How to clean your inhaler
lean your inhaler at
C
least once a week
Keeping your inhaler clean is
important for it to work properly. Wash the mouthpiece at
least once a week.
1. Remove both the canister and
mouthpiece cap and wash the
mouthpiece under warm
running water for 30 seconds.
2. N
ever immerse the canister
in water.
has not been used for the
number of days indicated on
your medication instructions.
When to refill
your inhaler
At the back of your inhaler is a
counter. It tells you the number
of puffs left in the inhaler. When
the counter gets to 20, please
refill your inhaler.
Washing
Counter
Priming
1 2 0
1 2 0
3. D
o not run the inhaler
underwater.
4. Dry the mouthpiece by
shaking off excess water and
letting it air dry thoroughly
Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only. This information
is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor.
© 2004, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Regional Health Education.
011061-327 (Revised 6/15) RL 9.7