New Home Treatments for Asthma

Incidents of asthma-related hospitalizations have been increasing at an alarming rate. According to the American Medical Association, "From 2000 to 2005, the number of adults hospitalized with asthma as a secondary condition increased by 113%...From 1997 to 2006, the number of pediatric hospitalizations with asthma noted as a secondary reason rose by about 54%."

In the same article, The American Medical Association states that the prevalence for asthma is holding steady (as quoted from The National Center for Health Statistics), meaning that the number of people who suffer from asthma has not changed significantly; the number of hospitalizations due to asthma, however, has.

According to William Busse, MD, chair of the Dept. of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine and Public Health, as related in American Medical News, a subsidiary of the American Medical Association, asthma is "not just one disease," and differences in risk factors add even more complexity to the disease because allergy triggers can include everything from dust mites in the home to grasses and trees outside the home to cockroaches in the inner city to obesity in young children.

But with more effective steps being taken toward disease control, asthmatics can benefit from new discoveries and alleviate some of their symptoms.

Treatment for Asthma in 1977

In 1977 I was hospitalized for nearly three weeks with an asthma attack that nearly killed me -- twice. Though I was fed a diet of drugs and though I received frequent respiratory therapy treatments, the asthma attack lingered long after I left the hospital.

Recently I was hospitalized again for another severe asthma attack. This time, however, I was suffering from bronchitis and pneumonia as well. Like many asthmatics, I had visited my pulmonary specialist, received prescriptions, went home to rest, but ended up in the emergency room the following day anyway.

With the proper home equipment, I wouldn't have had to go to the emergency room for my asthma attack. With the proper tools, I could have proactively prevented the attack from becoming as bad as it did while I was home (had I not also had pneumonia).

Asthma treatments can be now be administered at home with a variety of action plans. And they include the following products, exercises, and equipment.

The Nebulizer

Asthma has been a part of my life for 55 years. I've never owned a nebulizer, nor has any doctor ever recommended that I purchase a nebulizer. Some of my asthmatic grandchildren own them, and they have saved my grandchildren from making numerous trips to the emergency room.

The nebulizer is a device that distributes a fine spray of medicine by means of compressed air. Asthmatics inhale the medicine through tubing on the nebulizer.

Earlier nebulizers were large and bulky. They are now easily transported, because they are smaller and lighter. Mine is very compact (see photo above).

The nebulizer should not be confused with the "breathing machine" or the "mechanical ventilator," as those machines are used when patients cannot breathe on their own. Nebulizers, either with tubing or with masks, are used when asthmatics suffer from acute asthma attacks. Tubing goes directly into the mouth, whereas masks cover the nose and the mouth.

Masks are far easier to use on infants and children than is tubing, and they are effective in getting the medicine into the lungs of young asthmatics, especially when Baby is sleeping. Because babies often fight having masks on their faces, gentle rocking can often alleviate the stress while Mom or Dad holds the mask in place. Eventually, small children will appreciate being able to hold the masks by themselves.

Inhalers

Most people think of asthma inhalers as rescue inhalers, inhalers intended to prevent a crisis asthma attack. Not all inhalers are rescue inhalers though. Atrovent, for instance is used by some patients on a daily basis to control asthma symptoms and to prevent future asthma attacks. Others, like Albuterol, are designed to ease breathing while in the midst of an asthma attack.

Though inhalers like Atrovent are used on a consistent basis, allergy triggers occur and will cause the asthmatic to also rely upon a rescue inhaler sometimes.

While most asthma inhalers come prescribed, others rescue inhalers can be purchased over the counter. Over the counter inhalers, though, can become addictive. What might start with one to two puffs a day can quickly accelerate to 8 puffs a day or more. After a while, asthmatics become dependent upon the OTC inhalers just to be able to breathe. Always check with your pulmonary specialist for the best asthma inhaler.

Respiratory Physical Therapy

In 1977, the respiratory therapist wheeled in a giant machine and placed a tube in my mouth. The medicine inside the nebulizer was supposed to open my airways. During the throes of particularly dangerous asthma attacks, however, breathing became so difficult that getting any medication into my lungs was a struggle. (I describe the fear of not being able to breathe in this article: Three Weeks In The Hospital -- Two Near Death Experiences.)

In addition to using the nebulizer, the respiratory therapist provided another physical therapy exercise designed to loosen the mucus in my lungs. He had me lean over with my head below my heart. Using the sides of his hands, he started first at the bottom of each lung, and firmly chopped upwards as he worked his way up my back. With alternating hands pounding in quick succession, he repeated the process again and again. The physical therapist, through hand manipulation, loosened the phlegm so that I could cough and clear my lungs.

Today one asthma respiratory physical therapy aid, the Acapella III, provides the same type of physical therapy manipulation that was administered by the respiratory therapist. As the asthmatic exhales into the Acapella III, the Acapella III flutters and causes vibrations in the lungs. By vibrating the lungs, the phlegm loosens and asthma patients are then able to expel any obstructions.

Exercise the Lungs

The Triflow II exercises the lungs as the asthmatic inhales into the device. By inhaling into the Triflow II, the asthma patient attempts to raise all three balls. The goal is to raise all three balls to the top and hold them there for several seconds. By doing so, the asthmatic will increase lung capacity.

Another tried and true exercise to increase lung capacity and air flow is something that is difficult for asthmatics, because asthma patients' lungs often tighten upon exertion. But walking will cause lungs to expand and will strengthen the lungs, and is highly recommended by pulmonary doctors.

Most Effective Medications for Long-Term Asthma Management

Guidelines created in 2007 by the University of California, Los Angeles, Geffen School of Medicine advise, "Inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective anti-inflammatory medications for long-term asthma management, and all patients with asthma should have a written action plan. In addition, reviews of disease control should be made at follow-up visits, and subsequent visits should be scheduled regularly to be proactive. Lastly, every patient should have a plan to reduce exposure to allergens at home, school, day care or work."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a variety of resources for public health professionals. If your pulmonary specialist, pediatrician, or general practitioner wants more reliable information on asthma, ask him or her to download the Guide for State Health Agencies in the Development of Asthma Programs. The file is a 2.2 MB PDF file published in December 2003. (Click the link.)

Asthmatics Need an Action Plan

Discuss with your pulmonary specialist a plan that will help to alleviate your symptoms. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides help to control long-term asthma with an action plan you can access by clicking the link for Asthma Action Plan.

And Finally, BREATHE

Focusing on the breath and learning how to regulate control over your breath will help alleviate the symptoms of an asthma attack. While the first inclination will be to panic because you can't breathe, take steps to calm yourself. Have your action plan ready and in an obvious spot.

When I returned from the hospital this week, my Action Plan looked like this for the first three days (it would change two days later, and then again two days after that):

6 a.m. Advair, Atrovent, Breathing Treatment, Ciprofloxacin, Prednisone, Singulair

11a.m. Prednisone

12 p.m. Breathing Treatment

4 p.m. Prednisone

6 p.m. Breathing Treatment

9 p.m Ciprofloxacin, Prednisone, Advair

The hardest part for asthmatics is that they have lost control of the most important part of their life, their breathing. Controlling your breathing, controlling your thoughts about your asthma, and working proactively to prevent further attacks will greatly reduce your fear about asthma.

If you suffer from asthma, ask your pulmonary specialist to get you a nebulizer. Learn how to properly use it. Ask about the Acapella III, to be used when you are congested, and learn how to exercise your lungs with the Triflow II. Walk.

Stay away from known triggers and suspect other triggers that cause you to have an asthma attack. One day you might not be allergic to cats; the next day you might. Pay attention to your body and to your reactions to possible allergens.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/public_health.html

http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/management.html

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/03/30/hll20330.htm

http://respiratory-supplies.medical-supplies-equipment-company.com/PPF/page_ID/172/article.asp

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.htm

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