Your Asthma Questions Answered

FOUNDATION MEDICAL DIRECTOR DR JAMES FINGLETON ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT ASTHMA

Is asthma related to rheumatism and diabetes?

There’s no direct link that means someone with diabetes or rheumatic disease is much more likely to get asthma. There are some complex interactions which means that people with multiple conditions are more likely to be diagnosed with other conditions.

I’m a mum with severe asthma, is it likely my baby will get asthma?

Your baby is at slightly higher risk of having asthma, but not necessarily of having severe asthma. There is a genetic component to asthma, but also asthma is affected by your environment. Someone that lives in the same household as you will be exposed to the same allergens and may share your triggers. It’s something to be aware of. If you notice your baby has symptoms, then it’s worth discussing this with your doctor.

I can’t remember if I’ve used my preventer inhaler, is it OK to take an extra puff or should I wait until the next day?

Generally speaking, if you don’t remember taking it, one extra puff or two extra puffs isn’t going to cause any harm at all. If you’re regularly not sure, then try and think about when you take your inhaler and if there is something you can do to help you remember. Can you take it at the same time as you clean your teeth every day or can you set a reminder on your phone?

I have mild asthma and only use my preventer when my asthma gets worse. Is that OK, or should I be using it regularly?

This is something we see a lot because people whose asthma is relatively mild will feel they don’t want to take a medication every day because they feel well. The problem with that is, if you don’t take medication regularly you can get more inflammation in the lungs, which means you are much more likely to get a flare up of your asthma. I would recommend that you use a regular preventer.

Standard blue reliever inhalers, like salbutamol will help with your symptoms at the time, but they don’t do anything to prevent the asthma. In fact, if you overuse them, they can make your asthma worse.

Any suggestions on how to get back in control of my asthma after having COVID?

There are a number of ways that having had COVID can affect your breathing, I’d recommend if your breathing is worse than usual that you arrange a review at your GP practice. If you don’t have a personalised asthma action plan from your doctor, with instructions about how to change your reliever and preventer medication when your asthma worsens, then this should be important as part of a review. (Editor’s note: free downloadable asthma action plans are available at asthmafoundation.org.nz/resources)

If you have a question you would like answered about asthma, or another respiratory condition in the Better Breathing magazine, send it to

comms@asthmaandrespiratory.org.nz