Granville Family Pharmacy

:: To help you breathe easy


An Asthma Action Plan is a written plan designed especially to help you manage your asthma or your child’s asthma. It is based on changes in asthma symptoms and will give you information on what to do when you or your child is both well and unwell. It should provide information about the type of medicine that should used, how much to take and how often. An Asthma Action Plan should give you a clear understanding of when you should seek medical advice or help from an emergency department. It is important to have your plan reviewed by your doctor on a regular basis even when well. Your Pharmacist will be able to help you develop an Asthma Action Plan. Every child or adult with asthma should have a plan. Visit your doctor at least every six months to check your asthma and discuss your written Asthma Action Plan

Asthma need not interfere with your life. Take control of your Asthma …. Always carry your blue reliever medication It is the only medication to use in an asthma emergency. If you are using your blue reliever medication more than three times per week to ease asthma symptoms it may be a sign that your asthma is not well controlled. Check with your doctor Remember to take your medications. They are your key to freedom from asthma Know and avoid your triggers, whether it be environmental or man made Exercise to stay healthy Develop an Asthma Action Plan with your doctor Know your asthma symptoms and how to treat them Recognise signs of worsening asthma and following your written Asthma Action Plan Know your Asthma First Aid Plan and how to use it Tell your family and friends about your asthma and how they can provide asthma first aid

Unlike most other asthma triggers, exposure to some allergic triggers can be reduced or avoided. This can lead to improved control of your asthma and reduce your need for medication. Know what you are allergic to. If you are not sure, see your doctor about having allergy testing. Your doctor will ask you a series of questions to identify possible allergic triggers and may order allergy tests – Skin prick tests or blood (RAST) tests. These tests detect antibodies to specific allergens. Test results cannot be used on their own, and must be considered together with your medical history. You may be referred to an allergy specialist for further detailed assessment. Avoid your triggers

LISTEN TO your breathing feel your breathing when you are CALM and RELAXED feel your breathing when you are MOVING or EXERCISING UNDERSTAND your breathing. Has your breathing changed? How deep is it now? How do you feel when your breathing rate changes? (MEMORISE THESE FEELINGS). Listen to your breathing when you have your symptoms, eg: Asthma Attack, wheeze, shortness of breath, coughing, and sneezing, blocked nose. COMPARE this breathing against symptom free breathing. KEEP control of your breathing What do you notice when you listen to your breathing?
Your breathing is always deeper and harder to control when you have symptoms more chest movement tendency to breathe more through your mouth Therefore, when you have symptoms: keep your mouth closed try to relax your breathing don't fight your breathing try to gradually reduce your breathing to the rate you had when you were well Tips for Children
Always encourage your children to breathe through their nose even when playing strenuous games. Nasal breathing can reduce the loss of carbon dioxide. CHILDREN MUST NOT MOUTH BREATHE Tips for Exercise & Sport Always breathe through your nose during any activity. If you have to open your mouth to breathe or you loose control of your breathing STOP, normalize or take control of your breathing, then resume the activity. Do not try to over breathe when exercising. Why you should breathe through your nose, gently? Breathing through your nose will: help reduce the volume of air you breathe It will warm, moisten and filter the air before it reaches your lungs ( if your nose is blocked use the following technique) 5 easy steps to unblock your nose 1. blow your nose 2. take in a normal breath 3. breath out (pinch your nostrils closed with your fingers) "DON'T OPEN YOUR MOUTH" 4. hold this breath approximately 5 seconds longer than when you first experience the need to breathe 5. Now breathe gently through your nose (do not gulp air through your mouth) N.B. you may need to repeat this process until your nose clears Some basic breathing rules to follow: Do not sleep on your back. (it deepens your breathing) Breathe through your nose. (in and out) When you have symptoms try to relax your breathing and return it to normal Generally try to breathe slightly less volume of air at all times To find out more about how good breathing can help your asthma and allergies speak to our friendly staff or Contact Us

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