Mild Asthma Problems

the best way to prevent an asthma attack is to keep your asthma in control. Many people have asthma triggered by seasonal allergies, so managing your seasonal allergies is a good first step to treating your asthma. You can get over the counter non-drowsy antihistamines for very low prices at most pharmacies or even discount centers like Costco. During your allergy season don't go outside unless you have to, and run your a/c in your car on recycle. Change the filters in your home and car a/c.

The next step to controlling your asthma is to remove likely irritants from your home and workspace. If you can, get rid of upholstery, carpeting and draperies, or have them cleaned regularly. These things catch dust and dander and can trigger asthma. Also, cockroaches are a common asthma trigger. If you live in an old home or building you probably have roach droppings hiding in dark corners. Clean them and keep the roaches out.

Stay away from second hand smoke. Pay attention to the ozone advisories in your town. Don't light a fire in your fireplace and don't hang around campfires - wood smoke is a common asthma trigger.

You do not need an x-ray to diagnose asthma. Get yourself a peak flow monitor from the pharmacy and check your peak flow (ask the pharmacist how to do that) before and after you use a rescue inhaler. Your baseline value is the one after use of the rescue inhaler. You should get into the habit of checking your peak flow every day, and when you feel short of breath. If your peak flow drops by 10% of your baseline (I think that's the caution point, ask your pharmacist) then your asthma is not in control.

If you have done your best to control your triggers and you still can't keep your asthma under control you will need an inhaled steroid like pulmicort. This is a pretty expensive med, but if you don't use it your asthma will get worse and you may end up in the ER with a giant bill or worse, dead. I just read today that each day 9 people in the US die from asthma attacks. I'm sure some of them started out with mild disease.

Last thing is to beware of colds and other respiratory viruses. These often make asthma flare. You should get a flu shot to prevent a full blown asthma disaster triggered by influenza. You should wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with people who have colds. If you do feel that you are getting a cold, you should start using your preventative inhaler (the steroid one) right away.

A humidifier is helpful if you have sinus congestion, but I don't consider it an air purifier.

A rescue inhaler isn't what you want (although you should have one). The preventative inhaler is the key!

I plan on going back to my doctor in a few weeks and asking for a preventative inhaler, just in case symptoms arise

Preventive medication are for daily use and not to replace rescue meds. Ie your inhaler you use in an attack is your rescue meds. Preventive meds are to help you keep asthma in control so you have fewer attacks. I take alvesco daily to help control my asthma. I now know most of my triggers so I seldom have attacks. Usually what gets me is when I am sick I need to use my nebulizer with duoneb in it every four hours to help me breathe.

or just eat more bananas and raisins.

turtlemama1, "I'm wondering If I need to be using an inhaler on a daily basis.
Like a lot of people out there, I currently have no health insurance and having a running bill with my doctor. They have given me free inhalers in the past. "

Don't use it unless necessary and only if you have difficulty in breathing. Being dependent in inhaler is not good at all. stay away from dust and other allergens that can trigger your asthma.