Asthma affects almost 22 million people in United States of which 6 million are children. Advair Diskus is an Asthma medication containing Fluticasone and Salmeterol prescribed for Asthma in patients who are not using any other long term Asthma treatment.
Asthma
Asthma is a lung disease that affects patients for a long time. It inflames and narrows the airways that transport air to and from the lungs. Currently greater than 22 million people in United States suffer from Asthma with more than ¼ of them (6 million) being children. Male children are more prone to an Asthma attack than female children but adult asthmatic female patients exceed adult male asthmatic patients.
Asthma causes also known as Asthma triggers varies in people. Some of the common triggers could be secondhand tobacco smoke,
dust mites, environmental Air pollution, cockroaches, Pets and mold. Range of triggers also includes extensive physical exercises, certain medications, weather conditions, smoke from open-air burning of biomass and certain types of foods.
What is Asthma?
Asthma inflames airways that carry air from and to the lungs. This leads to swelling of the airways and they react when certain articles enter. This in turn contracts the muscles reducing amount of airflow to the lungs. An increased swelling may worsen things further and if the cells in the airways secrete more mucus (a thick sticky liquid), the combination is extremely dangerous. When the irritation is severe it is called an Asthma attack.
Asthma implications
Asthma is incurable and even when patient feels completely void of any symptoms, it may still exist in a dormant state. Mild flare-ups generally go away on their own or with nominal medication. When the attack is severe, the patient should be given immediate intensive treatment or the results may be fatal. Asthma causes bouts of coughing, breathlessness, chest irritation, regularly occurring wheezing and in severe cases it may result in fatalities.
The best approach of tackling this disease is managing it. Current medicines and treatments have made Asthma management quite simple. Patient may lead a regular lifestyle by taking basic precautions and strict following of Physician’s advice.
Asthma Medication
Asthma severity can be diagnosed by general Physician based on physical examination, tests and medical history. General queries to determine Asthma may range from family background to the exact period (daily/annually) when user experiences an asthmatic attack or exact reasons why an attack begins for the user. Physician may also carry out a physical check or suggest in-depth diagnostic medical tests like Lung function test etc to determine severity of asthma
Asthma medications should aim to:
• Stop long-term and irritating Asthma symptoms such as coughing and breathing problem.
• Lessen instant relief medication
• Allow regular lung functions
• Allow peaceful sleep and regular daily work.
Types of Asthma Medications
Asthma medications can be divided in 2 types – long-term and quick relief. Long-term medications are taken over a large timespan regularly to allow normal daily activities. Apart from favored Inhaled corticosteroids, other long-term medications include inhaled long-acting beta2-agonist, Leukotriene modifiers, Theophylline as well as Cromolyn and nedocromil.
Quick relief Asthma medication provides instant relief from Asthma attack flare-ups. When in spite of using long-term asthma medication asthma symptoms may flareup and may need a quick action drug, quick relief medications are prescribed.
Severe Asthma medication - Advair Diskus
In certain extreme cases, a single medication may not work or else severity of the disease in the patient may need a combination of two medications. Advair Diskus is a combination of fluticasone propionate (corticosteroid) and salmeterol xinafoate (beta2-adrenergic bronchodilator) and is used to control breathing problems in Asthmatic patients.
This medication can have severe, even fatal side effects and should be taken after proper discussion with user Physician. It is a long-term medication but should only be used in very severe cases and if asthma seems to be controlled, then its use should be discontinued.
General dosage for salmeterol/fluticasone is twice daily mornings and evenings. There are strict guidelines in using Advair Diskus and should be adhered to for best results.
Advair Diskus is a prescription medication and users should first discuss all Advair Diskus risks and benefits with the Physician before actually purchasing Advair Diskus. It is prescribed for patients with severe asthmatic conditions aged 4 years or more. Users should consult the conditions and precautions thoroughly with the Physician before starting Advair Diskus.
