Non pharmacological approaches to treat mild asthma symptom

[Mukund]

Hello, my friend TR is a 23-year-old man, is seeking advice. Although he is generally in good health, he has recently been developing a mild wheezing and tightness in his chest after exercising and playing soccer. TR does not smoke and has not had any respiratory illnesses recently. However, he does recall using an inhaler as a child for asthma but was told that he had outgrown the condition. TR does not take any medications. He says he does not want to follow up with a physician, if possible, because he is between jobs and does not have health care insurance. What information can you provide regarding nonpharmacologic approaches to managing this condition and self-care?

[Nimmy]

@Mukund TR may be suffering from intermittent, exercise-induced asthma symptoms, given his history and symptoms. As far as self-care options, it is important to recognize that the FDA recently approved a new formulation of the OTC epinephrine inhaler Primatene Mist to treat mild, intermittent asthma symptoms. This chlorofluorocarbon-, propellant-free formulation is likely to be available in early 2019 on pharmacy shelves and will replace the original formulation withdrawn from the market in 2011. Approved for use in patients 12 years and older, unlike the original preparation, the new formulation will include a different inhaler device accompanying the active ingredient, epinephrine. Patients should be educated about proper use, including the need for priming and shaking before use and cleaning the device afterward. Although this is a reasonable option for alleviating TR’s infrequent symptoms, it is nonetheless worth educating him about the chronic and inflammatory nature of asthma. If TR does not respond within 20 minutes of using a dose, experiences more than 2 attacks in a week, notices worsening symptoms, or is using more than 8 doses in a 24-hour period, he should be urged to seek medical evaluation. This medication is an effective bronchodilator but will ultimately not address more moderate-to-severe asthma symptoms and treat the underlying disease