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Asthma F.A.Q.

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    Q: How did I get asthma?

    A: Asthma and allergies often run in families, passed on in genes. That means you have a higher chance of having asthma and allergies if one or both of your parents has them. However, many people have asthma when nobody else in the family does.

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    Q: How does my doctor know if I have asthma?

    A: To find out if you have asthma, your doctor will ask you how you've been feeling and whether you have any regular coughing or difficulty breathing. S/he will also listen to your breathing with a stethoscope. You might be asked to take a breathing test called spirometry, which will show if you have asthma. Your doctor will ask you and your parents if asthma or allergies run in your family and may prescribe asthma medicines to see if you get better with them. If you do get better after a few weeks of taking these medicines, then you likely have asthma. If you had eczema or food allergies as a child, then there's a higher chance that you will also have asthma.

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    Q: Why does asthma make it hard for me to breathe sometimes?

    A: Asthma affects the airways (air tubes) inside your lungs. These airways bring oxygen to the rest of your body. If your asthma is getting out of control, these airways can get narrower, making it harder to get air in and out of your lungs. Keep your asthma under control, and your airways will be clear and open, allowing you to breathe easily. Find out more about how asthma works here.

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    Q: Will my asthma ever go away?

    A: For some people, asthma goes away and never comes back. For others, asthma goes away during the teen years, only to come back later in adulthood. Unfortunately, some people will always have asthma. Keep your asthma under control and you'll still be able to what anyone else does, even if asthma stays with you forever.

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    Q: Why do we use inhalers for asthma?

    A: You take most medicines in pill form, so it might seem strange to take medicine with an inhaler. Asthma medicine often comes in an inhaler because it directs the medicine quickly to where it is needed - your lungs. It's super efficient, so you'll need less medicine as a result.

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    Q: What's the best medicine for asthma?

    A:

    The best asthma medicine varies from person to person, so your doctor will try to find the medicine or combination of medicines that works for you. If you have regular asthma symptoms, your doctor will probably start with a daily inhaled steroid medicine, since these are usually effective when taken properly. Your doctor will also prescribe a reliever inhaler (usually blue), for when you are having problems breathing or for before exercise.
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    Q: Are my asthma medicines safe for me?

    A: Asthma medicines are generally very safe. Your doctor will try to find the lowest amount of medicine that keeps your asthma under control. Keeping your lungs healthy and being able to exercise normally is important. Inhaled steroids are the most common medicines for treating asthma long-term. Although people have many misconceptions about steroids, these medicines have great benefits, are generally safe in prescribed doses, and tend to be the most effective medicine for asthma.

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    Q: How do I know if my inhaler is empty?

    A: If you have a pressurized MDI (metered dose inhaler), the kind that sprays the medicine out, then you can shake the inhaler near your ear to listen and feel for the liquid swishing around. Also, if you see that the puff of mist coming out of your inhaler is not as full as before, then it's probably time to get a new inhaler. You can also try counting the number of doses you use. This is easier if you take the same number of puffs every day. It's much harder with inhalers you only use once in a while. Some Turbuhalers have a counter on them. If your Turbuhaler doesn't have a counter, a red mark will appear in the window on the side of the device when there are about 20 doses left. If you use a Diskus, it has a built-in counter.

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    Q: If I'm feeling great, why do I need to keep taking my asthma medicines?

    A: Some asthma medicines only work if you take them every day. These are called "controller" medicines. They keep your lungs healthy, so if you stop taking them, your asthma can slowly start getting out of control, making it hard to breathe.

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    Q: Do I need to stay away from sports and exercise if I have asthma?

    A: Keep your asthma under control and you should be able to play sports and exercise just like everyone else. Doctors often recommend that people with asthma take their reliever inhaler (usually blue) before playing sports. A good warm-up before and a cool-down after exercising or playing sports also helps. If you do get short of breath during exercise, stop right away and take your reliever inhaler. Only start again if your breathing is back to normal. If your asthma is not under control, you should not start any exercise.

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    Q: Every winter I get colds that make my asthma worse. How do I stop getting colds?

    A: It's probably impossible to stop getting colds altogether, but here are a few things that can help:

    • Wash your hands more (colds get passed from your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes).
    • Try to stay away from people who have colds (especially in the first few days of a cold).
    • Eat healthy foods and sleep enough.
    • It's also a good idea to get a flu shot every fall, to reduce the chances of getting the flu.

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    Q: I am allergic to pollen. I know it comes from trees and plants, but what is it?

    A: Pollen is a fine powder that comes from trees and plants. Trees and plants send pollen into the air to reproduce, and the pollen is carried by the wind. Unfortunately this means pollen can be inhaled into noses and lungs, triggering an allergic reaction.

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    Q: Are there any dogs or cats that are okay for people who have asthma?

    A: There are no non-allergenic dogs or cats. If you are allergic to pets, you shouldn't have any in your home. Some people believe certain dogs and cats don't cause allergies because they don't shed hair, but it's not the hair that you are allergic to, it's the dander (tiny skin particles). There is no proof that any dog or cat is safe for people with asthma. If removing your pet from the home is not an option, have your pet washed and groomed regularly and keep it out of your bedroom and off the furniture.

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    Q: Should I stop eating certain foods if I have asthma?

    A: Some people need to avoid certain foods that can cause asthma symptoms and other allergic reactions. Foods don't usually make asthma worse, but if you think it is a trigger, ask your doctor for advice.

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    Q: I have more questions about asthma. Where can I get answers?

    A: There's lots to learn when you're diagnosed with asthma. You'll have to learn what asthma is, how it is treated, and how to use your inhalers. So ask questions each time you visit your doctor or pharmacist. You can also make an appointment to visit a Certified Asthma Educator. Or, try submitting a question to an asthma expert via our Asthma Q&A. Visit reputable websites, like this one, the Ontario Lung Association or the sites on our Links page. Call our toll-free Asthma Action Helpline at 1-888-344-LUNG (5864).