What should you know about daily inhaler for asthma?

Asthma causes airways to become sensitive and narrow, which can lead to wheezing, cough, chest tightness and breathlessness. A controller inhaler is taken regularly to reduce this tendency; it is different from a reliever inhaler used for sudden symptoms. Allergic rhinitis, house dust mite allergy, viral infections, smoke and exercise may aggravate asthma. The inhaler device and medicine need to suit you, and good technique matters because medicine must reach the airways rather than remain in the mouth.

Follow the prescribed schedule and ask a pharmacist or nurse to watch your technique. Keep track of doses, clean the device as instructed and carry your reliever if one has been prescribed. Rinse your mouth after a steroid inhaler when advised. Do not increase, reduce or share inhalers without a review. Arrange an asthma check if you need the reliever more often, wake with symptoms, avoid activities because of breathing or are unsure which inhaler is for daily control. A written action plan can explain what to do when symptoms change.

Seek emergency help if breathing is severely difficult, you cannot speak comfortably, your lips look blue or grey, you become drowsy or a reliever is not helping. Sit upright and follow your asthma action plan while help is arranged. A nebuliser treatment may be used by clinicians in acute care, but it is not a replacement for a prescribed daily controller.

Ask: Which inhaler is my controller and which is my reliever? Can you check my technique? What should I do after a missed dose? When should treatment be stepped up or down? Which triggers should I manage?