Asthma Q & A
Got a question about asthma? Ask a healthcare pro.
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Question & Answer
Q: Why should I keep taking my controller inhaler every day when I'm feeling fine?
A: Stopping your controller medicine (eg. Flovent, Pulmicort, Qvar, Singulair) once your asthma is under control is a common mistake. Controller medicines work to slowly get rid of inflammation in your lungs and keep it away. If you stop taking it, this inflammation will often come back – not right away, but over days or weeks. It's healthier to take a safe low dose every day than to have the inflammation come back. However, sometimes a controller medicine is only needed for a while, such as during and after a cold, or for a certain time of year such as the pollen season. Ask your doctor about what's right for you.
Question Archive
- I'm starting university this year and I'll be leaving home. Is there anything I need to do for my asthma?
- I'm going to a camp this summer and I have asthma. What do I need to do?
- Are there any natural ways to treat my asthma? I don't want to take any medicines.
- I really don't like taking my puffers in front of people. What can I do?
- My doctor told me I have asthma, but I don't wheeze and I've never had an asthma attack. What's up?
- I love my cat! Why do I have to find it a new home?
- One of my parents smokes in the house sometimes. What should I do?
- My friends smoke around me and it bothers my asthma. What do I do?
- My asthma doesn't bother me much, so why should I take medicines every day?
- Why should I keep taking my controller inhaler every day when I'm feeling fine?
- How does my doctor know how many puffs of my inhaler I need every day?
- I'm doing a school project on asthma. Where can I get materials and information?
