Asthma - Effective Yet Affordable Treatment - 8 Ways to Save Money
Asthma treatment often costs thousands of dollars a year - more than many patients can afford. With brand-name controller drugs costing $200 per month, what's a person to do?
Here are 8 tips for effective yet affordable treatment. Let's begin with a story.
My sister, an asthma sufferer, once got a guinea pig for her son.
Loving mother that she is, she didn't complain when, days later, she found she couldn't breathe. Nor did she grumble when her medications stopped working. Nor did she fuss when her doctor put her on steroids and she gained thirty pounds.
Gasping and groaning, she did what mothers do, and cared for the guinea pig, day in and day out.
At Christmas she came for a visit. "Isn't there anything to make my asthma better?" she implored.
"Get rid of the guinea pig," I replied.
She looked at me as if I'd killed her firstborn. But six months later she put the guinea pig outside and - voila! - her asthma improved.
Yes, she learned a lesson - two in fact. Don't put the guinea pig on the deck in July...
That's #1. Substitute cat, dog, horse, rat, camel, etc. for guinea pig.
#2. Check online for coupons. You're already online anyway. Zip on over to the we site for Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, Advair, Symbicort, or Singulair for hundreds of dollars in free samples and savings on refills
#3. Consider Ventolin ReliOn. If you're paying full price for your albuterol, ask your doctor for this $9, 60-dose brand-name albuterol inhaler instead. True, it will take three of these to equal one standard albuterol inhaler, but still that's only $27, half the price of a full-sized inhaler. Even insured patients may find this a savings - easily hundreds of dollars a year. It is currently only available through Wal-Mart and Target pharmacies.
#4. Patient Assistance Programs. If you're uninsured, and make under $45,000 for a single person, or under $90,000 for a family of four, check out the Together Rx Acess program online. Asthma medications covered under this program include Advair, Azmacort, Serevent, and Flovent, for free or reduced cost, with potential savings of hundreds of dollars a year.
#5. Ask for medications on the $4 list. These include albuterol syrup, tablets, and nebulizer solution; ipratropium nebulizer solution, oral corticosteroids, and antibiotics. Discount chain pharmacies offer a long list of generic medications for only $4 a month, or $10 for three months. These could save you hundreds of dollars a year over name-brand drugs.
#6. Consider theophylline. Before inhaled steroids, before Singulair, before ipratropium, there was theophylline, the mainstay of asthma therapy. This medication is still available, is quite inexpensive, and is effective for many patients. There are drawbacks - drug interactions, need for periodic blood monitoring, jitteriness and nausea in some patients, concerns with overdose - BUT for patients on a budget it is a consideration, and can save hundreds of dollars a year over newer therapies.
#7. Have your doctor prescribe a nebulizer. Why would you spend $100 when you want to save money? Because the medication used in a nebulizer is so cheap. Both albuterol and ipratropium nebulizer solutions are on the $4 list, cheaper than hand-held metered-dose inhalers. Your doctor may not be aware of this, so be sure to bring it up. Substituting home nebulizer treatments for some doses of an inhaler may save you hundreds of dollars annually. You will still want to keep a rescue inhaler handy, however, for when you are not near your nebulizer.
#8. Stop at Starbucks. Drink a cup of coffee - not decaf. Caffeine is one of the metabolites of theophylline (#6 above), and has similar, though weaker, bronchodilator action. Caffeinated tea works as well. Many a time a midnight asthma attack has been ameliorated with a little java. This does not mean you shouldn't have a rescue inhaler on hand. But if you're stuck overnight in an airport and don't have one with you, load up on caffeine. Save hundreds of dollars a year by stopping at McDonald's for coffee instead.
No one should have to choose between their next meal or their next breath. Use these ideas to afford medication to keep your asthma symptoms under control. Why not take this article with you to your next doctor appointment? Your physician will want to help you along the path to excellent yet affordable health care.
Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, M.D.
To read more about asthma and other common diseases visit: For practical advice on affordable health care visit: http://101waystosavemoneyonhealthcare.blogspot.com/ Permission is hereby granted to publish this copyrighted article elsewhere on the web or in print media, in whole or in part, with the stipulation that Dr. Koelker be properly credited as author, and that the material be unaltered with regard to content. Cynthia J. Koelker MD is a family physician of over twenty years, and holds degrees from MIT, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the University of Akron. She is the author of "101 Ways to Save Money on Healthcare." Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Koelker |
Why Dust Mites Are Such a Problem
Have you ever wondered why dust mites can cause so many issues? Well the first problem with dust mites is that they are so small you can barley see them, so you may not even know you have them, and they are everywhere. You may only know that your child is having more frequent asthma attacks but not know why. One thing is that most of the dust in your house is made up of shed human skin. The food, that dust mites like the best.
They consume skin and other minute particles of organic matter as a way of life, and the do it very well. Like many decomposer animals, they select food that has been pre-decomposed by fungi. Fungus and mold can also be a problem for your child with asthma. The dust mites have a simple gut; they have no stomach but rather diverticulae, which are sacs or pouches that divert out of hollow organs. These pouches are filled with enzymes that are used to digest the organic material.
A mated female house dust mite can live for about seventy days and can lay from sixty to one hundred eggs in the last five weeks of her live. In that span of ten weeks, the dust mites can product approximately two thousand fecal particle pouches or sacs and an even larger number of partially digested enzyme covered dust particles. It is the enzymes that are attached to the dust particles that cause the problems for children with asthma. When the child jumping on the bed disturbs the dust particles. The dust flies into the air where the enzyme covered particles can be inhaled. The enzymes are what your child is allergic to. The enzymes get into the airways and can irritate them causing them to constrict.
You can see just how quickly mites can develop into a very big problem for children with asthma. There are several things you can do to combat dust mites. One thing you can do is cover the bed of your child with plastic or other dust mite free material. These types of covers can be found at your local furniture store or at a home improvement outlet. Next you will want to wash all of the bedding in hot water, at least one hundred forty degrees or hotter. that is the temperature that is required to kill the dust mites and there eggs. When you dry the bedding, it also needs to on the hottest setting. With the combination of the two procedures you can kill the dust mites in the bedding.
If the child has any stuffed animals they also need to be made dust mite free. You can do one of three things with the toys. The first thing you can do is wash them like you did with the bedding. The second thing to do is find a plastic bag that will fit the toy, wrap it up air tight and place it in the freezer for a least twenty four hours. This will also kill the dust mites and their eggs. The third thing is just plane and simply get rid of all plush stuffed animals. Not having them around is the best way to insure that they will not be a problem for your child with asthma.
Tyler Duncan and his brother Lee Duncan invite you to come learn more about how you can overcome asthma symptoms and in some cases, eliminate it altogether. We have spent many years in the health and wellness industry and have helped many people to overcome many different types of health challenges. We invite you to get your free report on how to overcome asthma athttp://www.easeasthmanaturally.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_D_Duncan |
Precautions For Asthma
Avoid Triggers
An asthma patient should know his symptoms well and also understand what triggers those symptoms.
Once the triggers are recognized, an asthma patient should avoid them as much as possible. Some of the common triggers are:
· Tobacco smoke, which acts as an irritant and aggravates asthma.
· Medications like beta-blockers (used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine headaches or glaucoma) as well as aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen.
· Bacterial as well as viral infections like common cold and sinusitis.
· Emotional anxiety.
· Common allergens like house dust mites, animal dander (dead skin flakes), molds, pollen, cockroach droppings or foods. In order to avoid such allergens, the patient should cover the mattresses, pillows and box springs with allergic casings. In case it's a house with pets, HEPA filter should be used. Moreover, pets should not be allowed to enter the bedroom.
· Strenuous exercises.
· Certain common food items also triggers asthma. The patient should consult his allergist to know his allergens.
An asthma patient should follow certain common things in his life:
· The patient should follow a simple and routine life.
· He should go out for morning walks on a daily basis.
· The surroundings of an asthma patient should be kept as neat and tidy as possible in order to avoid dust induced attacks.
· He should have a simple and nutritious diet. Instead of standard heavy meals, an asthma patient should keep his meals small and frequent.
· He should not get indulged in heavy drinking.
By knowing the behavior of asthma and by avoiding the causes that triggers it, a patient may avoid more serious complications.
Bhoji Reddy Bomedi is the founder and CEO for health portal http://www.healthplus24.com healthplus24.com is a source for free, comprehensive medical information on the web and it is a unique bland of the concept of social networking and health information.Here people can interact with the other users and share their personal and health information. They can also get expert advice on various symptoms or prescriptions Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bhoji_Reddy |
What Is Asthma Homeopathy?
Asthma is quite a common problem that affects both young and old. It is caused by the inflammation of the airways which will restrict the flow of oxygen into the lungs thus causing an asthma attack. To date, there is no known cure for asthma but various drugs and medications have been developed to lower the chances of someone developing an asthma attack.
The main purpose of asthma homeopathy is to identify the root cause of asthma attacks. Drugs and medications only stop or reduce the symptoms of asthma attacks and do not completely tackle the real cause of the problem.
It should be noted asthma homeopathy is a long term solution to asthma problems and will take some time before the effects will be felt. Asthma homeopathy aims to strengthen the person’s immune system by taking natural supplements and holistic therapy. Once the immune system is strengthened, it can then fight asthma on its own as it is our body’s “defensive” system.
The type of asthma homeopathy treatment will vary from person to person. Some factors which will need to be taken into consideration are the frequency of asthma attacks and allergens etc.
There have been clinical studies that shows people who undergo asthma homeopathy develop a stronger immune system and body resistance. As a result, their asthma attacks have reduced and they are not reliable on any drugs or medication to curb asthma attacks.
Since asthma homeopathy is 100 percent natural and non-invasive with no side effects, it is suitable for people of all age groups.
Ricky highly recommend using asthma homeopathy if you or your family members have asthma. Visit his website at http://www.asthmahomeopathy.net for more information.
Homeopathic Remedies For Asthma
Certainly when the right kinds of treatments are chosen a person will find that they can help to relieve the stress that they are feeling when an asthma attack occurs. However if the attack becomes much worse then that person should be seeking medical advice as soon as possible. Especially in cases where the person has a great deal of difficulty when they are breathing and their lips have gone a bluish color or it looks as if they are likely to lose consciousness.
In this article I am going to take a look at some homeopathic remedies that a person may want to consider using in order to treat their condition. But these should only be used under strict guidance from an experienced homeopathic therapist.
Carbo Vegetabilis
This particular remedy will be suggested for use by some during an asthma attack who feels weak or faint. Often they will feel as if their chest is hollow also. Plus they will often cough in such a way that they can actually begin to gag which will then make it very difficult for more air to gain access to their lungs. Also this particular homeopathic remedy will be used on those people who feel worse in the evening or after talking, eating or when they are laid down.
Chamomilla
This particular homeopathic remedy has been designed for treating sufferers who suffer with a hard, dry but irritating cough which often occurs when they become exposed to air that is moving or when they become excited or angry.
Ipecacuanha
This particular remedy is provided to those sufferers who have coughing spasms which results in them either retching or vomiting. Also it is great for treating those who find that the mucus (phlegm) collects in their breathing tubes and when they try to cough it out they find it extremely difficult to do so.
Although I have provided information with regard to what kind of homeopathic remedies for asthma that may be given to some sufferers, there are also other asthma herbal remedies.
But until the homeopathic therapist knows what kind of asthma you are suffering from, they will not be able to devise a suitable remedy for you. The best thing you can do is find a knowledgeable and experienced homeopathic therapist to treat you. You can consult your own doctor who maybe able to suggest one and then take your time and discuss with them the best course of treatment for you.
Ricky is the online editor of an asthma homeopathy website http://www.asthmahomeopathy.net/ . Visit his site today for more information on which herbal supplements for asthma http://www.asthmahomeopathy.net/herbal-supplements-for-asthma.html are effective in treating asthma.
Best Asthma Treatment Plan
An asthma treatment plan generally includes: Treatment goals, which include personal goals set by patient, an outline of the medications one takes daily for control of airway inflammation and when to take them, how to measure the peak expiatory flow (PEF) with a peak flow meter and directions for recording PEF. Studies show that people who use their asthma action plan have better asthma control.
It is very important to take the asthma medications exactly as prescribed by the doctor in order to keep asthma well-controlled and to prevent asthma attacks. Regular intake of medications will help avoid emergencies. Patients should not skip their medications when they do not feel sick because asthma is a chronic condition present all the time, even when one does not feel symptoms. Patients should be educated to use the peak flow meter to monitor their condition on a daily basis. This would help them to take necessary actions when they feel the symptoms or an attack.
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A peak expiratory flow value greater than 85% indicates the asthma is under control and a patient has to continue with the regular treatment. When the value gets less than 85%, it indicates the condition is getting worse and double dose of inhaled steroids is to be taken. When peak expiratory flow value falls to less than 70%, the asthma is severe and the patient needs to start a course of oral steroids while a peak flow value of less than 50% means the patient needs immediate emergency treatment. Besides medications, the best way to control asthma is by staying away from triggers and inducers. Asthma triggers produce symptoms by irritating the airways and asthma inducers make the airways swollen and inflamed. Each patient may have different triggers that have to be identified and avoided. Inducers are viral infections like cold, flu and pneumonia and all precautions must be taken to avoid such infections.
Patients should therefore discuss with their healthcare professional and arrive at the exact treatment plan that is required to keep their asthma under control and prevent further attacks.
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Asthma And Exercise - Are They A Deadly Combination?
Asthma sufferers, however, tend to be nervous that the exercise will harm them and bring on an attack. This belief regarding asthma and exercise can be so strong that they refrain from exercise completely. In fact, it is to their advantage to exercise and get fit. It is a proven fact that fewer asthma attacks are reported by sufferers who take regular aerobic exercise than those who do not exercise. A properly, professionally designed asthma and exercise plan, can actually reduce the number of attacks. It appears that the exercise develops and increases the capacity of the lungs, and so renders them less susceptible to asthma attacks.
Many successful athletes also suffer from asthma. Jackie-Joyner Kersee, Paula Radcliffe and cyclist Jan Ulrich are all asthmatics. Mark Spitz found that he had fewer problems with his asthma after he took up swimming. And boy, were these four athletes successful! So asthma sufferers should not think exercise beyond them. Athletes can also have asthma, and exercise has helped them immeasurably.
If you are experiencing problems while exercising, your doctor should be able to prescribe something for you. There are several drugs and medicines available to help those suffering with asthma and exercise is possible without many side effects. However, you should inform your doctor of any asthma and exercise plan you intend to adopt, though exercise will ultimately result in a lower intensity of attack, and a lower number of them.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, exercise can help both the physical and emotional well-being of asthma sufferers. Not all exercises promote an asthma attack, and it is advisable, and could be beneficial, to consult a specialist in respiratory allergies and conditions prior to embarking on a long-term exercise program. Such an asthma and exercise program, however, could provide short and long-term benefits to asthma sufferers.
Here are a couple of tips to follow when exercising:
Avoid exercising when pollen counts are high.
Avoid exercising in windy conditions and cold weather.
Avoid exercising if you have a cold or flu.
Avoid exercising if you feel generally unwell or weak.
Always have your inhaler to hand when exercising.
Always keep in mind the potential hazards that asthma and exercise can create.
Always keep in mind the benefits that exercise can ultimately bring you.
Otherwise, carry on, unless you feel inside yourself that all is not well. It is not a definable feeling, but you will know when you should stop. In such a situation, NEVER CONTINUE just because you have to complete the exercise or number of repetitions. You know you have asthma and exercise will not always be suitable for your condition, but when you are able, it is of great potential benefit.
If you require more information regarding asthma and exercise, consult the online Medem Medical Library.
"If you suffer from asthma, it need not control your lifestyle. You can benefit from exercise the same as anyone else, and it can help you to control your symptoms, increase your level of general activity and give you new purpose and confidence in life. Asthma and exercise need not be a deadly combination!"
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