How to Reduce Asthma Resistance

In most cases, long-term control of asthma consists of treatment including steroids. These medications work to reduce inflammation in the airways, which reduces asthma attacks. However, there are cases where steroid therapy doesn't work, making the asthma more difficult to control. This type of asthma is steroid-resistant asthma. To reduce asthma resistance and its symptoms, there are a variety of treatments.

Things You'll Need

• HEPA air filter
• HEPA vacuum bag
• Peak flow meter
• Prescription medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Schedule frequent medical appointments. For resistant asthma, doctors must treat and assess the asthma continually. During these medical appointments, doctors collect information such as the patient's symptoms, test current lung capacity by measuring breath force into a spirometry device or perform lung assessments with body box plethysmography. During a body box plethysmography test, the patient sits inside an airtight box and breathes in through a special piece of equipment. This test reveals the exact volume of lung capacity, indicating how much air can get into the lungs in a breath.

• 2

  Reduce environmental triggers. Controlling the environment the asthmatic lives in prevents triggering asthma attacks. The most common environmental causes for asthma attacks are dust mites, dust, smoke, mold, animal dander and strong odors. Extremely cold air can also elicit an asthma attack. Use HEPA air filters and vacuum bags to reduce indoor allergens. An additional option is an air purifier that uses a HEPA filter. These small machines run continuously and filter the air in the room to further reduce allergens.

• 3

  Check peak flow at home. A peak flow meter is a small device that asthmatics blow into. Doctors use them to assess current lung function. The doctor sets a range on the device, and any numbers that are lower indicate a worsening of symptoms. Patients normally check their peak flow twice a day.

• 4

  Use medication. Albuterol and other fast-acting inhalers work to stop an asthma attack after it starts. Salmeterol, a long-acting inhaler, reduces asthma attacks by reducing inflammation in the airway, preventing obstructions and reducing the amount of allergens that cause the inflammation.

• 5

  Try alternative therapies. Asthmatics who have steroid-resistant asthma have poor control over their asthma, even with the traditional medications. Corticosteroids such as budesonide and fluticasone can be effective treatments for this type of asthma. Small studies published by Resident & Staff Physician reveal immunosuppressant cyclosporine works to reduce asthma symptoms in steroid-resistant asthma.