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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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For Asthma Suggest An Alternative For Asthaline Inhaler

I am an Asthma patient from my childhood. I am 68 now. I am regulaly practicing Yoga, Pranayam, Surya Namaskaram and Meditation for the past 3-4 years and am able to be active throughout the day. I haven't got an attack recently. I have also reduced my dosage of Ketasma(Ketotifen 1mg.) 1tab and Unicontin-400- 1tab taken in the night daily to 1/2 tabs. each now for the past app.six months. I use Asthaline inhaler for the suport. I have a feeling that the Inhaler is not working effectively.(using it for more than 2 decades) My consumption is three inhalers of 200 metered doses. Can you suggest an alternative and effective inhaler. Ultimately I want to be out of tablets first and inhalers following it.
Thu, 29 Jan 2015
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Allergist and Immunologist 's  Response
Hello,

Thank you for asking at HCM.

I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:

1. First of all, I personally congratulate you for adopting life style changes including Yoga, Pranayama, Surya Namaskaram, Meditation, which help to reduce medicine requirements in chronic disorders such as asthma.

Please continue efforts towards improving your body & mind.

2. As an Allergist-Immunologist, I would suggest you allergy testing for air borne allergens such as house dust mites, molds, pollens, insect proteins, etc. It will help you identifying the substances causing allergies to you and also to know the measures to avoid them.

3. Based on allergy testing, an Allergist-Immunologist may suggest you allergen specific immunotherapy which works gradually on immune system to improve allergy symptoms over a long time duration.

4. If your requirement of Asthalin inhaler is 3 inhalers (600 metered doses), I would rate it as high. As you have mentioned that it is not working for you recently, I would suggest you a test named Spirometry with post bronchodilator reversibility testing.

This test is usually best performed by pulmonologists and it measures your lung capacity and amount of airway obstruction, also the reversibility of the airway obstruction.

5. Such testing will help your doctor to decide whether you need rescue inhalers such as Asthalin (salbutamol) or "preventer" inhalers (such as inhaled corticosteroids) to dilate your constricted airways.

6. There are many alternatives to asthalin inhaler such as levosalbutamol or other brands of salbutamol, but at present, from your history, I doubt whether they will be really helpful to you. So I would not suggest them prior to spirometry testing.

7. Please try to avoid exposure to dusts, smokes and air pollution as much as possible.

8. A healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as adequate fluids during day to maintain hydration will also help you in a long run by improving your immunity.

Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.

Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.

Wish you the best of the health ahead.

Thank you & Regards.
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For Asthma Suggest An Alternative For Asthaline Inhaler

Hello, Thank you for asking at HCM. I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows: 1. First of all, I personally congratulate you for adopting life style changes including Yoga, Pranayama, Surya Namaskaram, Meditation, which help to reduce medicine requirements in chronic disorders such as asthma. Please continue efforts towards improving your body & mind. 2. As an Allergist-Immunologist, I would suggest you allergy testing for air borne allergens such as house dust mites, molds, pollens, insect proteins, etc. It will help you identifying the substances causing allergies to you and also to know the measures to avoid them. 3. Based on allergy testing, an Allergist-Immunologist may suggest you allergen specific immunotherapy which works gradually on immune system to improve allergy symptoms over a long time duration. 4. If your requirement of Asthalin inhaler is 3 inhalers (600 metered doses), I would rate it as high. As you have mentioned that it is not working for you recently, I would suggest you a test named Spirometry with post bronchodilator reversibility testing. This test is usually best performed by pulmonologists and it measures your lung capacity and amount of airway obstruction, also the reversibility of the airway obstruction. 5. Such testing will help your doctor to decide whether you need rescue inhalers such as Asthalin (salbutamol) or preventer inhalers (such as inhaled corticosteroids) to dilate your constricted airways. 6. There are many alternatives to asthalin inhaler such as levosalbutamol or other brands of salbutamol, but at present, from your history, I doubt whether they will be really helpful to you. So I would not suggest them prior to spirometry testing. 7. Please try to avoid exposure to dusts, smokes and air pollution as much as possible. 8. A healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as adequate fluids during day to maintain hydration will also help you in a long run by improving your immunity. Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you. Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM. Wish you the best of the health ahead. Thank you & Regards.