Question
My asthma is intermittent and mild. Is the Proventil inhaler the best treatment? Are there any side effects? Is there a more natural method to manage asthma? And are there effective dust and other airborne allergen removers?
Answer
Mild intermittent asthma is defined as:
- One bronchodilator (Proventil) usage no more than twice a week AND
- Waking up at night with asthma no more than twice a month AND
- Exacerbation of asthma resulting in an unscheduled visit to your physician, the ER or admission to hospital, no more than once a year
If you exceed any one of these three limits, then you have persistent asthma and will need additional medications.
For intermittent asthma, Proventil (albuterol) is the best treatment. There are other similar medications are just as good, but not better.
Proventil may transiently increase heart rate and cause muscle tremors. Very rarely, in patients with coronary artery disease, Proventil may trigger chest pain or irregular heartbeat.
Vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids help control the underlying inflammation that causes asthma. Ephedrine (Mormon tea, ma huang) is an herb that works like Proventil. It has a lot more side-effects and is no longer available in the U.S.
Breathing exercises and meditation help keep you calm during asthma episodes.
HEPA air purifiers are useful for mold, animal dander and pollen allergy but not for dust mite allergies. To control house dust mite exposure, you can encase the pillow, mattress and comforter in mite-proof encasements - available at Bed, Bath & Beyond and from several online stores. You might also consider removing carpeting and replacing the old sofa with a leather one.