gt;A patient's physician and other healthcare providers are, of course, excellent sources of information about issues specific to the patient's care. Note: The following links are provided as a service. The materials on the linked sites are created and maintained by private and public organizations separate from Respirics Inc., and they are responsible for the content contained therein. American Thoracic Society (ATS) Clinical Information Site - www.thoracic.

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: New treatments are being tested all the time for COPD. It would be best to check with your pulmonary specialist. Question: I moved to New Mexico three years ago after 45 years in Michigan - started having almost constant sinusitis, especially in spring and fall. Once it became so bad - after three courses of 10-days of antibiotics, which obviously didn't do the job - I landed in the emergency room with severe bronchitis, hardly able to breathe.

Side effects of some of the inhaled bronchodilators include: palpitations, rapid heart beat, nervousness, lightheadedness, dizziness and tremors. Most of the time these medications can be given but patients who have other medical problems need to be followed carefully. Inhaled steroids can also sometimes cause yeast infections in the throat. The likelihood of this happening is less if the mouth is rinsed after inhaling and spacers are used.

For environmental reasons, Australia has signed an international agreement – the Montreal Protocol – to stop producing and importing all CFCs. From 1 January 1996, new CFCs are no longer being made in, or imported into, Australia. However, use of CFCs in asthma aerosol inhalers has been defined as ‘essential’ on medical grounds and the pharmaceutical industry has been given until the end of 2005 to phase out CFCs in inhalers.

quot;If you are currently using an inhaler containing a CFC propellant, you should talk to your healthcare provider about transitioning to an HFA albuterol inhaler, like PROVENTIL HFA. Eventually all albuterol inhalers with CFCs will be phased out. Replacement of a CFC albuterol inhaler with an HFA inhaler will require a new prescription. Patients should carefully read the directions before using HFA-based albuterol inhalers and direct any questions to their healthcare provider.

There are two kinds of asthma medicines: those that prevent attacks (controller medicines) and those that help when someone is already feeling symptoms of asthma (rescue medicines). There are many "prevention" medicines for children with asthma. Studies show these may be better to use than repeated use of rescue medicine.

Controller medications are for long-term control of persistent asthma. They help reduce the inflammation in the lungs that is behind asthma attacks. Controller medications should be taken every day whether someone is having symptoms or not. Controller medications include inhaled corticosteroids (the main type of medication), leukotriene inhibitors, methylxanthines, and cromolyn sodium. Rescue medications are taken after an asthma attack has begun. They stop the attack.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) wer used in most asthma aerosol inhalers, often known as puffers, to produce an aerosol or mist which enables asthma medication – reliever or preventer – to be inhaled deeply into the airways. Medications delivered in this way have been found to work better and more safely than many tablets or liquid medications. There are some mechanical dry powder devices which do not contain chlorofluoro-carbons. These will continue to be available.

Pediatric Adult/Asthma Coalition of NJ "Top Ten Action to Control Asthma Triggers in Your Home".

COPD is similar to asthma, but it is not the same disease. Medicines can usually reverse the affects of asthma, but COPD is progressive disease, and medicines cannot reverse the effects of COPD. The only way to be sure you have COPD rather than asthma is to have a breathing test called a spirometry test.

Yes. The RUHS provides pharmacy services, including prescription and over-the-counter items. Have your son/daughter bring an original prescription with him/her, or have your family physician call it in to the Hurtado Health Center pharmacy (732-932-7402 x 219). Also consider giving us a copy of your prescription plan card to keep on file at the pharmacy.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which is largely made up of the tobacco-related conditions emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

If inhalers are a part of your medication routine, do use them the morning of surgery, and also bring that medication with you.

Yes. You need to be healthy for the baby to be healthy. Use of inhalers such as Ventolin, Asmacort, Proventil, or Flonase will help to keep the breathing passages open. If you are on an antihistamine such as Claritin, Zyrtec or Allegra, you may continue using it.

No. Asthma medications are NOT ADDICTIVE and you don't have to keep taking more medications to get the same effect. However, the opposite may be true. If your child's asthma is not well-controlled, they may need more medication in the future due to permanent damage to the lungs.

BioVent can safely be used together with your prescription medication and will not interact negatively with synthetic drugs. Depending on the severity of the asthma, BioVent can reduce or eliminate the need for the synthetic drugs and inhalers. It can also be safely used to complement conventional treatment of asthma.

You should use the nebulizer as your doctor has ordered. Many times, the doctor will state to use the medications “X” number of times a day or “as needed.” Generally, the “as needed” term means when you are short of breath, wheezing, or have tightness in your chest.

Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system. Asthma is a chronic state of hyper-responsiveness (when muscles in the airways constrict and narrow excessively in response to inhaled allergens or other irritants). Asthma is characterized by coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. Asthma may be triggered by allergens or other, non-allergic stimuli, such as cold air or tobacco smoke.

There are over 40 Scuba certification agencies that are accepted worldwide. NAUI is the oldest international Scuba certification agency in the world, and is accepted and respected on a worldwide basis. There are some dive shops, and certain websites that do make this false claim. As an example, I can accept a YMCA or SSI Divemaster into one of my NAUI Instructor Courses. Their certification as a Divemaster is accepted by NAUI, and also by any other recognized Scuba certification agency.

No! This should not be done without the input of a physician or other licensed healthcare professional. The movie should be used for educational purposes only, and not as a guide for medical decisions. We believe that it will help people understand asthma better, and will allow them to ask better questions about asthma management.

For more information about asthma and CFCs talk to your doctor, pharmacist or call your local Asthma Foundation on 1800 645 130.

This patient group consumes the majority of the financial resources devoted to asthma. The diagnosis of severe asthma is difficult because there are so many contributors and mimics to the condition. Patients with severe asthma are by their nature harder to manage with standard therapeutic modalities such as inhaled steroids, and more likely to have confounding diagnoses such as vocal cord dysfunction or acid reflux.

Researchers are trying to find out exactly why ozone has an impact on asthma and what to do about it. There's an on-site testing technique for exercise-induced asthma that screens athletes while in their natural environment. Many suffering from asthma also suffer from acid reflux. Research is underway to see if treating the GERD will ease the asthma. A theory suggests that early exposure to environmental allergens boosts the immune system and reduces the risk for asthma.

Yes. You need to be healthy for the baby to be healthy. Use of inhalers such as Ventolin, Asmacort, Proventil, or Flonase will help to keep the breathing passages open. If you are on an antihistamine, Claritan, Chlor-Trimeton, Benadryl, Dimetapp, Zyrtec and Tavist are the safest antihistamines.

Studies and observations of hundreds of pregnant women with asthma have demonstrated that most inhaled asthma medications are appropriate for patients to use while pregnant. The risks of uncontrolled asthma appear to be greater than the risks of necessary asthma medications. However, oral medications (pills) should be avoided unless necessary to control symptoms.

Asthma medication come in different forms, including liquids, pills, powders, vapors, and injections. There are only a few types of asthma medications, although they are sold by drug companies under many different brand names. Bronchodilators are medications that help to stop asthma episodes after they have started. Sometimes they are taken in pill form and most often with an inhaler. They provide relief by relaxing the muscles in the airways, allowing them to open up and make breathing easier.