Asthma

Affecting around 5 million people in the UK alone, asthma is a chronic disease which usually affects people from childhood but can also develop later on in life too.

People suffering from asthma have sensitive airways which can become inflamed when they come into contact with certain allergens triggering a constricting action of the muscles around the airways resulting in wheezing and a tight chest. There can also be a build up of mucus which causes a cough. These reactions make it difficult for the sufferer to breathe which can vary from mild to fatal if left unmedicated.

Asthma treatments are either known as relievers or preventers. Reliever treatments are highly effective at stopping your initial asthmatic symptoms right away and avoiding them developing into a full blown attack. The medication is absorbed into the cells within the lungs and reduces the allergic-like reaction occurring and the constriction of the air passages.

Preventers are a longterm, daily treatment used to keep the airways open and relaxed so as to stop symptoms and attacks from occurring at all, even when the patient comes into contact with triggers such as pollen. They are only effective when taken every day as directed and if you stop using it your breathing issues will return.

Asthma treatments will only be given by your doctor when necessary and your dose will be upped or lowered depending on how severe your asthma is. Asthma needs to be maintained closely so in many ways it is safer to use the medication than not as, if an asthma attack strikes without the treatment to hand, it can be fatal.

There are many different types of treatment available and you will work closely with your doctor to find the best one for you. Some people may be able to tolerate one form of asthma medication better than others, in which case the doctor will prescribe this for you.

Side effects, though mostly mild due to the medication being inhaled directly into the lungs where it can be used immediately, can occur and if this is the case, or if you experience an allergic reaction to one form of an inhaler, your doctor can advise you on a different type which may be preferable. This is all part of your personal asthma maintenance plan which should be reviewed at least once a year.

The short-acting beta-2 agonists are reliever inhalers to be taken when required and they get to work almost immediately to relieve breathing issues as they begin with results lasting for up to 5 hours. The available short-acting asthma treatments are Salamol, Ventolin and Bricanyl.

The long-acting beta-2 agonists are known as preventer inhalers which keep your airways open and are only fully effective when taken every day as prescribed. The available long-acting asthma treatments are Clenilm Seretide, Symbicort, Flixotide, Serevent, Atrovent and Qvar

Asthma treatments can be purchased online without a visit to your doctor or pharmacist being required. You can also have your medication sent directly and discreetly to your address via next day delivery.

Simply fill in the online questionnaire about your health when prompted and our Click Pharmacy doctors can confirm whether this is the best medication for your situation. This will be based on a number of different factors such as other medicines you take, allergies you have and whether you currently have an asthma management plan in place.

If approved, you will be given a prescription after which you can purchase your product online. If it seems that your choice of inhaler would not be the most beneficial option, the doctor can advise you on a preferable alternative treatment.

If you have any questions you can book a free and confidential online appointment at any time.

The reliever inhalers will provide you with immediate relief from your breathing issues if:

• you are taking the right dosage as advised by your doctor
• you are using the inhaler in the correct way, ensuring that the full dose of medication goes right down into your lungs.

If you find that your medication is not relieving your symptoms as quickly or at all, it could be that your asthma has worsened and you will need to review your management plan and update your medication and/or dosage.

The reliever inhaler will continue to work for up to 5 hours. The preventer inhaler takes longer to get to work and depending on which product you are using, it can take up to 7 days of regular daily use to feel the full benefit. After this time, and as long as you continue to use as directed, you should find your asthma symptoms reduce considerably as attacks are prevented. The results of each dose of the preventer can last for up to 12 hours and is usually prescribed twice a day at first and then reduced to the lowest effective dose once your asthma is back under control.

Side effects are usually mild as the medication does not go through your system, rather it is breathed directly down into your lungs where it can be used as needed. One of the main possible side effects of an inhaler is oral thrush due to the method of use and residual medication staying in the mouth after a dose is taken. To help avoid this, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after every use.

Other possible side effects can range from a hoarse throat to headaches and tremors but if you experience anything more severe than this it is vital you either speak to your doctor to discuss an alternative treatment or get medical help depending on the severity of the reaction.

If the medication gets into the eye it can cause a condition called glaucoma so avoid spraying it anywhere near the face by first placing the mouthpiece into your mouth prior to use.