Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

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  Mr. Jackson Sayers BSc., Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC 08 January 2024

  A brief overview of three types of inhalers commonly used for patients with breathing difficulties such as asthma or COPD. Let's discuss each type in more detail: Bronchodilator Inhalers: These inhalers contain medications known as bronchodilators, which help relax and widen the airways in the lungs. The two main types of bronchodilators are beta-agonists and anticholinergics. Beta-agonist inhalers work by stimulating the beta receptors in the airway muscles, causing them to relax and allowing for increased airflow. Anticholinergic inhalers, on the other hand, block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that causes airway constriction. Bronchodilator inhalers provide quick relief during asthma attacks or episodes of breathing difficulty. Corticosteroid Inhalers: These inhalers contain corticosteroid medications, which help reduce inflammation and swelling in the airways. Inflammation in the airways can lead to increased mucus production and narrowing of the air passages, making breathing difficult. Corticosteroid inhalers are used as maintenance medications to prevent and control asthma symptoms over the long term. They are effective in reducing airway inflammation and minimizing mucus secretion, leading to improved breathing. Combination Inhalers: Combination inhalers contain both a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. These inhalers are used regularly as maintenance therapy to provide both anti-inflammatory effects and bronchodilation. The corticosteroid component helps reduce airway inflammation, while the long-acting bronchodilator component helps keep the airways open for an extended period, providing sustained relief. Combination inhalers are often prescribed for patients who require both anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects. It's important to note that the choice of inhaler type and medication will depend on the individual patient's condition, severity of symptoms, and their healthcare provider's recommendations. Different patients may require different combinations of inhalers or medications to effectively manage their breathing difficulties.

  Reply to: Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

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  Mr. Jackson Sayers BSc., Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC 10 June 2019

  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects over 2 million Canadians and is the major cause of hospital admissions of adult males and increasingly females over 40 years of age in Canada.

  Reply to: Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

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  Mr. Jackson Sayers BSc., Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC 10 June 2019

  What the team discovered was that collagen fibers are more disorganized and fragmented in the airway walls of asthmatic individuals compared to individuals without asthma. This not only provides a novel drug target for asthma treatment, but also supports the use of these advanced imaging tools to monitor airway remodeling throughout disease progression and during treatment.

  Reply to: Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

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  Chantal Sayers Vancouver, BC 15 December 2015

  I am just wondering if someone can develop asthma later in life? I've heard that if you develop allergies later in life you also can be prone to getting asthma. I recently discovered I am allergic to a few environmental factors like grass pollens and dust mites. I sometimes do feel like my airways are a little 'twitchy' and feel I need to cough. How can I know if this is asthma starting?

  Reply to: Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

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    K. Michael 11 January 2016

    I agree with @MichelleKaarto. My daughter has quite bad seasonal allergies. She does not have asthma persay but she does suffer from an asthma like condition as a result of her allergies. Speaking to your doctor is a good idea

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    Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 15 December 2015

    I think the only way to know @Chantal is to bring your concerns to your family doctor. If there is enough concern that this may be asthma-related symptoms, I would think a proper lung function test would be ordered to see if you have this diagnosis.

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  AllieS 07 December 2015

  There are various vitamins and minerals that provide protective immune effects, and it's my understanding that Vitamin C in combination with other antioxidants (such as Vitamins A and E) may help relieve bronchoconstriction seen with asthma. I'm unclear if dietary quantities would be sufficient - does anyone have any further info?

  Reply to: Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

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  Dr. Alan Low BSC (Pharm), PharmD, ACPR, FCSHP, CCD, RPh Pharmacist, Vancouver, BC 01 December 2015 BioPro Biologics Pharmacy Vancouver

  A very interesting case with Macy. As a healthcare practitioner, I would have to say that she should not be using or trying another individuals inhaler. In this instance the risks are low with a one time use, however, if Macy say used someone else's inhaler prior to seeing her doctor or getting spirometry (respiratory assessment tests), then that single dose could have an impact and delay accurate findings. Generally speaking, an appropriate diagnosis should be made before treatment is initiatied so using someone else's medication should not be used. In other circumstances, using someone else's medications could cause significant negative impact. There could be negative reactions, interactions with exisiting medications, masking of symptoms, allergic reactions, side effects, and inducing an unexpected reaction due to an underlying condition not compatible with the drug being taken. Macy should diarize or keep notes on what situations and circumstances cause her to have symptoms and capture her symptoms on paper as well. This will simplify things for the physician when it comes time to diagnose the issue. Often time, especially with young adults, they do not remember the specific circumstances around the time they have symptoms and only provide a general recount of what happened. For example, in Macy's case, it could make a big difference if it was pollen season, or she was playing in a grass field, or the other players came in off the field with sports equipment etc. that may be causing Macy to react due to allergies. Chances are with Macy using someone else's inhaler and if she hasn't used one before, she is unlikely to have used it properly. Anyone who initiates using an inhaler should be offered to consider the various options and the pros/cons and ease of use of each one to determine which inhaler may be right. Some require excellent coordination and others require a stronger inspiratory force and some have a puff that may cause a tickle in the throat for some people. There are many types of inhalers available which do a similar job of opening the airways and reducing inflammation in the airways. The choice of drug is one consideration, but equally important is whether the patient can properly administer the drug with the inhaler and their comfort and ability in using it and carrying it. The drug cannot work if it is not administered correctly or the patient refuses to carry it around with them to have available when needed. Alan Low

  Reply to: Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

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  Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 30 November 2015

  A proper work-up by Macy's family doctor and perhaps a respiratory specialist could help determine whether she does have asthma and require inhalers to control it. Are there risks to using a rescue inhaler if it hasn't been prescribed to her and she doesn't need it?

  Reply to: Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"

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    K. Michael 02 December 2015

    I think it's never a good idea to use someone else's medication. Macy should definitely see her doctor to discuss her symptoms and determine the best course of treatment for her. As an aside I know that there have been many stories about celebrities using inhalers as a sort of upper and to help with weight loss.