If you or your child has asthma, your doctor may prescribe two types of inhalers . These are called controller inhalers and rescue inhalers . Both help with asthma, but they do different jobs . Knowing when to use each one can help you breathe easier and prevent asthma attacks. A quick way to know the difference Think of it this way: Controller inhaler = prevent problems Rescue inhaler = treat symptoms Both inhalers work best when you use them the right way. What is a controller inhaler? A controller in...
When you have asthma, it can be hard to manage your symptoms during the winter months. Learning to recognize and prevent asthma triggers can help you breathe easier and keep your symptoms under control. What Are Asthma Triggers? Asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, or chest tightness are often caused by something in the air that you breathe. These are called triggers. Triggers are different for every person. Common triggers include: Smoke from cigarettes, wood burning stoves, fi...
Do you or your child take asthma medications through an inhaler? If so, using an asthma spacer can make a big difference. A spacer is a device that allows the asthma medication to go directly into your lungs. It is placed on the mouthpiece of your inhaler and creates “space” between your mouth and the medicine, allowing you to breathe in the medicine more easily. Spacers allow the medicine to go into your lungs and airways instead of staying in your mouth and throat. Who should use a spacer? E...
Do you have trouble remembering to take your asthma medication? You’re not alone! Many people with asthma struggle to take their medication – but you shouldn’t give up. Not taking your medicine can lead to some serious consequences. Frequent and severe asthma attacks. If you aren’t taking your medications, you may experience more frequent and severe asthma attacks. You may have more frequent shortness of breath, disrupted sleep, and wheezing on a daily basis. Increased use of rescue me...
You probably already know the basics of a healthy diet. Those guidelines include eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and limiting added sugars and highly processed foods. During cold and flu season, you might take a few extra steps to boost your wellness. Adding foods rich in vitamin C (citrus, berries, bell peppers, tomatoes), vitamin D (fatty fish, eggs, milk), beta carotene (sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach) and zinc (beef, seafood, beans, nuts, tofu) can help to boost your immune system, befo...
What is an asthma trigger? Anything that causes your asthma symptoms to flare up. Knowing your asthma triggers is important – if you or your child can avoid those specific triggers that make your asthma worse, you’ll have an easier time managing your condition. Each person’s asthma triggers can be unique. If you are able to understand your specific triggers, then you and your doctor can develop a targeted plan of action that addresses your needs. Learn more about how to create asthma action plans . It m...
Sometimes, staying healthy takes a little extra effort – and it’s nice when you can get rewarded for it! Parkland Community Health Plan’s Member Rewards program gives members the chance to earn reward points for completing health and wellness activities. Once you earn the points, you can use them to get gift cards and other items from a rewards catalog. One way to earn rewards: managing a chronic condition. Earn a $20 reward value when you: Complete a diabetic (retinal or dilated) eye exam (age 15 and o...
Does your child have asthma? If so, you know that some days are easier, and some days are more challenging. Asthma is a chronic condition. That means your child will need to manage their symptoms throughout their lives. The good news is you can help your child learn to plan ahead for any medical emergencies they might experience when away from home. A good place to start? By creating an Asthma Action Plan. Keep reading for tips for working with your child’s teachers, school nurse, and sports coaches so ...
Living with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes can be tough – especially when your physical health starts to affect your mental well-being. You may have to deal with complications and changes to your lifestyle – and sometimes, the stigma associated with your condition can make it harder to manage. Not knowing how your health may change in the future can be stressful, too. All of these things can cause mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Recognizing Mental Health Symptoms When it ...
Asthma is a condition that affects the lungs and may impact a person’s ability to breathe. The good news is that it is usually easy to control with medication. Both children and adults can get asthma, but it may affect them in different ways. Asthma is usually more persistent in adults, so they often have it for a longer period of time. Kids may experience asthma symptoms on and off, with symptoms getting better as they grow up. Many signs of asthma are the same in kids and adults – but some symptoms ar...
Sometimes, living with a chronic condition can feel overwhelming. But you don't have to go through it alone! PCHP’s Be In Control program helps members with chronic conditions to get resources that help them manage their health. If you’re part of the program, be sure to ask your case manager or doctor these questions: Am I using my medication correctly? To manage your condition, it’s important to understand the right way to take your medication. Ask your case manager or doctor about: How much medicine t...
Planning ahead for severe weather is an important way to stay safe and healthy. That’s especially true if you have asthma or diabetes. Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, and other disasters can hit close to home. If you lost electrical power, would you be able to find your medication? If you had to evacuate, would you be ready to pack all medical supplies? Follow the tips here to plan ahead and take good care of yourself—rain or shine. Emergency Planning for Asthma Before the disaster: Ask your docto...
Another school year is about to start. If your child has asthma, it’s important to make sure they have a plan to stay healthy during the school day. Get prepared by following the tips below: Work with your child’s doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan that explains how to treat different asthma symptoms when they happen. Stay up to date with vaccines. Make sure your child gets their yearly flu shot and recommended COVID shots (including boosters). Make sure to take controller asthma medicines as prescr...
Is someone in your family sneezing, wheezing, or coughing? It might be asthma, allergies—or both. Keep reading to learn ways to control symptoms and breathe easier, indoors and out. What are the symptoms of asthma? Asthma is a long-term condition that causes the airways inside your lungs to become inflamed. Asthma symptoms can be mild, but an asthma attack can be a medical emergency. Common symptoms include: coughing shortness of breath wheezing chest tightness How is asthma diagnosed? A doctor ma...