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Asthma Inhalers: My daughter, who's seven, has been recently diagnosed with asthma

Asthma Inhalers: My daughter, who's seven, has been recently diagnosed with asthma. She has been given two different inhalers but I'm not entirely sure what the difference is between them?

Inhalers and how they work makes more sense when you understand what happens during an asthma attack - so let me briefly explain. Your child has asthma which means the breathing tubes in her lungs are inflamed.

During an asthma attack the muscles in the walls of the tubes tighten and this causes a reduction in the amount of air moving in and out of her lungs. There are two main types of treatment for asthma - one type "prevents" while the other "relieves". To prevent or reduce asthma attacks your daughter has to use an anti-inflammatory drug that soothes the breathing tubes making them less irritable. Used on a regular basis, even when she is well, they can make a huge difference to the frequency of asthma attacks.

The other inhaler, a bronchodialator, is used to relieve an asthma attack by relaxing the muscles in the breathing tubes. If you are still confused, you should see your doctor or asthma nurse for clarification. Having established what each inhaler does, you might find it helpful to put a sticker on them denoting which is the preventer and which is the reliever until you become more familiar with them.

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Will she always have to use them? Asthma is a very common condition which affects about one child in four or five, usually developing between the ages of two and seven. Coughing (particularly at night), wheezing and shortness of breath are the main symptoms. Many sufferers grow out of it by their teens, but for some, it is a life-long condition.

Where can I get more information on asthma? In addition to your own family doctor and asthma nurse, you should contact the Asthma Society, which provides an information service on asthma and how best to manage it and can be contacted at 1850 44 54 64 or www.asthmasociety.ie

MARION KERR