Asthma is a well-known disease but poorly understood by the general population. Asthma is a condition where your body reacts excessively(beyond normal) towards the allergen. There’s a long list of allergens identified to trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma is a chronic disease that can be managed by avoiding triggers and taking medications. Seretide is one of the medications used by asthmatic patients. The most important thing for them is to know how to use Seretide for asthma.
Ways to use Seretide are:
1- Always compliance with check-ups, use only if prescribed by a doctor, store as per instructions, and always check the expiry date.
2- Remove the cover or cap of the Seretide inhaler.
3- Hold theSeretide inhaler in an upright position and shake it well.
4- Exhale out gently and away from the inhaler.
5- Seal the inhaler’s mouthpiece between your lips but do not bite it.
6- Inhale slowly via the mouth and simultaneously press down the canister.
7- Continue inhaling deeply and slowly.
8- Hold your breath for about 6 seconds.
9- Hold your breath and remove the inhaler from your mouth.
10- Exhale gently via the nose.
11- Repeat steps 3 to 10 if extra doses are needed.
12- Replace the inhaler’s cap.
In case if a spacer is needed, just connect the inhaler to the spacer before proceeding with step 3. Always rinse your mouth and nose with water as corticosteroids may cause unwanted side effects such as infection or irritation.
Common problems while using seretide are:
- Holding the inhaler wrongly
- Poor hand and breathing coordination
- Inhalation is not deep enough
- Did not hold breath long enough
Seretide is one of the inhalers used in asthma. Seretide is a combination of the 2 types of medications. One is for asthma control and the other is for an immediate reliever. You shouldn’t increase or decrease your dose as you wish without advice or permission from your doctor.
The low dose will not be enough to manage your conditions while overdose might cause unwanted events such as palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, tremors, and heart failure. Inhalers like Seretidelook and sound easy to use, but the fact is this type of medication needs a lot of practice for it to work as it should.
A spacer is an additional device given to children, elderly or people who can’t master the hand-breathing coordination. This device helps to keep the medications in the chamber and give patients more time to take in the medications.
Whenever you visit your physician, always remember to:
- Bring and show them your asthma
- Check whether your techniques of using inhalers are correct or not.
- Discuss any side effects you are experiencing
- Learn and check whether your method of cleaning your inhalers and spacers are right
- Learn how to check the expiry date
- Learn how to check the remaining dose in your inhalers
For your information, the asthma diary is necessary for every asthmatic patient as it helps your physician to plan the best strategies to deliver the best treatment plan.
Asthma is not just about inhalers. There are four components that physicians need to focus on managing asthmatic patients. They are:
- Frequent monitoring of lung function and symptoms
- Adequate patient education
- Controlling and managing trigger factors and other existing comorbidities
- Treatments
