Asthma management | Controlling your asthma

Controlling your asthma

Asthma management devices can help deliver your or your child's medication more effectively while reducing side effects^{1, 2}.

Understanding how asthma management can help

Why is it so important to manage your asthma?

Many people living with asthma think their condition is managed well if symptoms flare up only occasionally, and assume that using an inhaler less means their asthma is more in control. In fact, that can mean your asthma treatment plan isn’t working as well as it should or that you aren’t adhering to it as prescribed. But side effects from taking medication—like the taste or the feel of it in the back of your throat—can discourage you from sticking to your plan.

Asthma management devices can help deliver your or your child’s medication more effectively, while reducing side effects^1,2. By getting the right level of medication to your lungs, at the right frequency your healthcare professional has prescribed, you can live life with fewer symptoms and more freedom.

Take control!

See how our asthma management devices can help manage your asthma.

What is a nebulizer?

What is an inhaler spacer or holding chamber?

What is a peak flow meter?

See all Asthma management products

The aim of treatment is to manage your asthma so that⁷:

You have no or only minor daytime symptoms³

You have no night-time waking with asthma symptoms³

You don’t have to use your rescue inhaler more than 2x a week to treat your symptoms³

Are you in control of your asthma?

Take the quick test to find out

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommends using questions such as the following to assess asthma control⁷:

1. If you or your child has asthma, do you or your child have coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness more than twice a week? Yes or No

2. If you or your child has asthma, does it limit you or your child from participating in sports or normal physical activities? Yes or No

3. If you or your child has asthma, do you or your child wake up at night with asthma symptoms? Yes or No

4. If you or your child has asthma, do you or your child use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week to treat asthma symptoms? Yes or No

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your or your child’s asthma may not be well controlled and you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional to discuss symptoms and review your asthma action plan.

Indoor Air Quality

Take control of the indoor air

Air in our homes is often 2–5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Everyday activities — like cooking, cleaning and playing with pets — all release allergens and air pollutants into the home.

With 24,000 breaths taken every day, the air in our homes can impact our lives. Better air quality helps prevent or alleviate allergies, asthma and respiratory issues, so we can all breathe a little easier.

Philips Air solutions remove four major factors that influence indoor air quality and that can act as triggers for an asthma attack:

PM 2.5 – the microscopic air pollutants that are common triggers for an asthma attack.

Allergens – such as pollen coming in from outdoors, dust mites, pet dander (flakes of skin) and mold spores.

Bacteria and viruses – inhalation can cause influenza, common colds, tuberculosis and other infections, whilst also increasing the risk of asthma.

Air humidity or dry air – this can aggravate allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions.

What is an Air Purifier?

Air Purifiers:

Philips Air purifiers remove 99.97%¹of airborne allergens including pollen, house dust mites and pet dander².

The App gives real-time air quality feedback via the display and allergy management advice.

Certified by authorities such as AHAM, ECARF.

Thanks to exclusive AeraSense technology, a particle sensor that detects even a slight change in the air
and ensures the purifier’s settings are adjusted to reduce airborne allergens.

Learn more

¹Particles between 0.3 and 10 microns

²Tested on the filter media for 1 pass efficiency at 5.33cm/s air flow, by a third party lab.

What is a Humidifier?

Air Humidifiers:

Philips Air humidifiers retain comfortable moisture levels in your home by maintaining a constant and even, relative humidity between 40% and 60%.

Philips Air humidifiers spread 99% less bacteria compared to ultrasonic humidifiers³ thanks to exclusive NanoCloud Technology.

They distribute the humidified air in the room evenly.

Learn more

³Compared to standard ultrasonic technology (non warm mist), Philips NanoCloud technology emits up to 99% less natural bacteria into the air, as tested for 8 weeks in a 1m3 chamber, and certified in an independent laboratory benchmark study by Rabe HygieneConsult in June 2012 (Rabe Hygiene Consult 2101p_12.116).

What is a Dehumidifier?

2-in-1 Air Dehumidifier & Purifier:

Philips 2-in-1 Air dehumidifier and purifier reduces moisture and allergens for a drier, healthier home.

Philips 2-in-1 Air dehumidifier and purifier filters ultra-fine particles as small as 0.02 microns⁴ thanks to NanoProtect filter.

Get real-time feedback from the air quality indicator and digital humidity display.

⁴The filter was tested with NaCl test aerosol according to DIN71460-1 in IUTA

In order to get more tips on how to manage with your child's asthma at home and school, see below:

Manage your child's asthma at home

Manage asthma at school

Aiming for the green zone on your asthma action plan

An asthma action plan is a document that you can create together with your healthcare professional that outlines when and how much asthma controller medication you or your child should take daily to manage your condition, how often to use reliever medication and what additional steps to take if symptoms get worse.

A simple green-yellow-red format makes it easy to track whether you are doing well or getting worse, and what to do about it. Used along with a peak flow meter to track your lung function, the action plan can help you stick with your treatment for better overall asthma management.

Personalized asthma action plan guide

The three zone traffic light system with Philips PersonalBest peak flow meter

Improve medication delivery

Medicine often ends up in your mouth, throat and stomach when using an inhaler on its own. A valved holding chamber (sometimes called a spacer) may improve drug delivery to the lungs where it is needed by as much as up to 4 times⁴.

Getting the right amount of medication can help reduce day-to-day symptoms and keep you in the green zone².

What is an inhaler spacer?

Track your peak flow for better control of your asthma

A peak flow meter is used to measure how fast you blow out air from your lungs.

A peak flow meter is also used to determine if your asthma symptoms are putting you into the yellow or red zone of your asthma action plan.

What is a peak flow meter?

Get medication to your lungs where it is needed

Your healthcare professional may prescribe reliever medication delivered by a pMDI inhaler or nebulizer for breathing treatment of worsening asthma symptoms. Nebulizers turn liquid medication into a fine mist that is more easily absorbed into your lungs. The goal is to get your or your child back to the green zone and doing well.

What is a nebulizer?

InnoSpire Go

Portable mesh nebulizer

Delivers medication in as little as 4 minutes⁶

Sleek, streamlined design and easy operation

Virtually silent delivery of medication, at home or on the go

Simple two-part construction for easy cleaning

Built-in rechargeable battery delivers up to 30 treatments (120 minutes of use) per charge

Buy from Philips

Fast, effective and easy to use, the InnoSpire Go portable mesh nebulizer is designed to shorten asthma treatment time by 25%⁵, so your medication can be delivered in as little as four minutes.⁶ Virtually silent, InnoSpire Go is small, portable, discreet and can be used anywhere.

See InnoSpire Go and learn how it works

Get the facts

Read more about common myths about asthma.

Learn more

Ask your healthcare progessional or pharmacist about asthma management

Ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist about asthma management

Your healthcare professional or pharmacist can be valuable resources for understanding the use and benefit of including asthma management devices as part of an asthma action plan. Some asthma management devices are available only with prescription.

Asthma management product guide (688.0KB)

Breathe easier at home

Helping you manage the indoor air quality you and your family are exposed to, keeping your home clean and healthy.

Learn more about Philips Air purifiers

Buy Philips Air purifiers & humidifiers

Frequently asked questions

What are the Asthma controller (preventer) medications and how do they work?
What are the Asthma controller (preventer) medications and how do they work?

Controller medications may also be called preventers. These are medications that are prescribed by your healthcare professional to take daily to control the inflammation (swelling) in your lungs and to prevent asthma attacks. There are several different types of controller medications but the most common are inhaled corticosteroids (steroids) or combination inhaled steroid and long-acting bronchodilators. Long-acting bronchodilators are not prescribed alone for asthma but may be prescribed with an inhaled steroid. This is a medication to keep airways open over a long period of time. Controller medications and combination controller medications should not be used to relieve symptoms during an asthma attack.

References:

asthma.org.uk Advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments. Accessed October 2017
What are the Asthma reliever (rescue) medications and how do they work?
What are the Asthma reliever (rescue) medications and how do they work?

Reliever medications are short-acting bronchodilators. They may also be called rescue medications. These are medications that act very quickly to relax the muscles surrounding tightened airways and relieve asthma symptoms.

References:

asthma.org.uk Advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments. Accessed October 2017
Are you worried that your child's controller medication is not helping?
Are you worried that your child's controller medication is not helping?

Controller medications work differently than reliever medications and must be taken even when symptoms may not be present. The controller medications reduce inflammation but they take time to start working. Your child may need to take them for several days or weeks before you and your child notice an improvement. Your child will not feel that immediate relief that they may feel after taking a reliever medication. Instead they will know that they are working because over time, they will have less symptoms and they will need to use their reliever medication less.

References:

asthma.org.uk Advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/inhalers-and-spacers/preventer. Accessed October 2017.
What will happen if my child doesn't take their controller medication?
What will happen if my child doesn't take their controller medication?

If the inflammation in asthma is not controlled, it will be difficult to manage your child's asthma symptoms. Also over time the inflammation may permanently damage your child's airways.

References:

webmd.com Asthma/features/preventing-permanent-damage#1. Accessed October 2017
What are the possible side effects of inhaled steroids?
What are the possible side effects of inhaled steroids?
If your child uses their inhaler correctly, they are less likely to have side effects. This is because more of the inhaled medicine goes down to the lung where it’s needed. If your child uses inhaled steroids, which is a type of contoller medication, some of the side effects that may occur due to poor inhaler technique include:

a sore tongue

a sore throat

a mouth infection called thrush

These side effects could easily be prevented by rinsing their mouth after inhaling the medication and using a spacer or valved holding chamber when using a metered dose inhaler (MDI).

References:

asthma.org.uk Advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments. Accessed October 2017.
Can I stop giving my child's controllers medication if she/he shows no asthma symptoms for some time?
Can I stop giving my child's controllers medication if she/he shows no asthma symptoms for some time?

Remember that your child’s asthma changes over time, and some degree of inflammation or swelling is usually present, even when they are not having any symptoms. Generally, the benefit of the treatment is much greater than any risk associated with taking the medication, even in periods where your child seems to be ok. You should not stop your child's inhaled steroid (controller medication) unless you have discussed this with the healthcare professional first.

References:

asthma.org.uk Advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments. Accessed October 2017.
How long does my child have to take a controller medication before it starts working?
How long does my child have to take a controller medication before it starts working?

It may take several days or a couple of weeks before the medications are effective. Your child may not feel different at the very beginning, but they need to take it every day so its protective effects can build up. Your child should not stop taking it unless you have discussed this with the healthcare professional.

References:

asthma.org.uk Advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments. Accessed October 2017.
How can I be sure I am getting the medication from my inhaler down into my lungs?
How can I be sure I am getting the medication from my inhaler down into my lungs?

When you press down on the top of your inhaler, it creates an aerosol mist traveling very fast. Because the medication mist is moving quickly, timing is important. This means that you should start breathing before you press down on the inhaler and breath in slowly and deeply. Therefore, it is important that you use your inhaler perfectly. Both spacers and Valved Holding Chambers (VHC's) are devices that may be used to overcome these timing issues and help you get more medication where you need it. These are simple devices that attach to your inhaler. When you push down on the inhaler, the mist is dispensed into the device where it is held temporarily until you inhale. This gives you the time to breathe in the medication slowly and deeply into your lungs.

What is an Asthma Action Plan?
What is an Asthma Action Plan?
An asthma action plan (also known as a treatment plan) is a plan for managing your child's asthma. The goal of this plan is to reduce symptoms, prevent serious asthma flare-ups and emergency trips to the hospital. The plan includes written instructions so you and your child can:

identify early symptoms of an asthma flare-up and treat them with the proper medication to prevent them from getting worse

know how to use the medications to manage a full-blown flare-up

know when to call the doctor or seek emergency care

Make sure to bring the asthma action plan on each doctor visit to review and update as necessary. If your child doesn’t have a personal asthma action plan yet, make an appointment with their doctor to create one.

References:

asthma.org.uk. Advice/manage-your-asthma/action-plan. Accessed October 2017
Know your child’s Asthma Action Plan – Green Zone
Know your child’s Asthma Action Plan – Green Zone
A personalised asthma action plan is a written plan designed by you and your doctor that provides instructions on how to control your or your child's asthma. Because everyone's asthma symptoms and triggers may be different, the action plan should be personalised or customized to the individuals asthma. Contact your doctor and set up an appointment to develop an asthma action plan.

The green zone in your child's asthma action plan shows what they should be doing when things are going well to prevent asthma symptoms.

The Green Zone means:

Breathing is good

No cough, wheeze, chest tightness or shortness of breath

Sleeping through the night without symptoms

Can play and participate in sports

Peak flow above 80% of personal best

References:

mayoclinic.org. Diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma/art-20044888. Accessed October 2017.
Know your child’s Asthma Action Plan – Yellow Zone
Know your child’s Asthma Action Plan – Yellow Zone
The yellow zone in your child's asthma action plan shows what they should be doing when they start to have symptoms or are exposed to a trigger that is likely to cause symptoms.

The Yellow Zone means:

First sign of cold symptoms

Exposure to known triggers

Peak flow between 50% and 80% of personal best

Symptoms may include:

- Cough

- Some wheezing

- Tight chest or shortness of breath

- Coughing at night or wakening at night with asthma symptoms

- Decreased ability to play or do usual activities

References:

aafa.org Page/asthma-treatment-action-plan. Accessed October 2017.
Know your child’s Asthma Action Plan – Red Zone
Know your child’s Asthma Action Plan – Red Zone
The red zone in your child's asthma action plan shows what they should be doing when they have an asthma medical alert. Urgent action is necessary if you child is in the Red Zone.

Red Zone means:

Wheezing, coughing and shortness of become worse after giving yellow zone medicine.

Shortness of breath while walking, talking or resting.

Use of chest muscles while breathing.

Wheezing may be absent if symptoms are very severe.

Child is unable to sleep or do usual activities or play because of trouble breathing.

Peak flow below 50% of personal best

References:

aafa.org Page/asthma-treatment-action-plan. Accessed October 2017.
How to perform a peak flow measurement using the Philips PersonalBest peak flow meter.
How to perform a peak flow measurement using the Philips PersonalBest peak flow meter.
The peak flow meter is a simple, hand-held device which is used for measuring your child's peak flow value.

Guide your child to measure their peak flow value with a peak flow meter by following these steps:

Slide off the top cover and unfold the bottom cover into a handle.

Move the red indicator to the bottom of the scale.

Stand up, if possible.

Instruct your child to breathe in as deeply as they can, and put their lips and teeth around the mouthpiece.

Blow out as hard and fast as they can, staying straight. They should not bend over as they blow.

Read the peak flow measurement next to the indicator, and see what color-coded section their reading is in (if their peak flow zones have been established). Write down the reading. Then slide the indicator back down to the bottom of the scale.

Repeat steps 4 and 5 two more times and write down the reading each time.

Then, the highest reading from three attempts should be recorded as your children's peak flow reading. It's a good idea to let your children practice using the peak flow meter in front of their healthcare professional.

What is a peak flow meter?
Daily peak flow measurements
Daily peak flow measurements

Daily peak flow monitoring using a diary or chart can help you to determine whether your child's asthma is stable or worsening. In conjunction with their prescribed asthma action plan, you can take appropriate action to bring your child's asthma back under control.

What is a peak flow meter?

Personalized Asthma Action Plan

References:

lung.org. Lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/managing-asthma/measuring-your-peak-flow-rate. Accessed October 2017.

What should I consider when selecting a spacer or valved holding chamber?
What should I consider when selecting a spacer or valved holding chamber?

Look for an enhanced type of spacer that has a valve - this is called a valved holding chamber. This chamber has a one way valve that only opens during inspiration which prevents you from exhaling or pushing the drug out of the chamber. You should also select one that is made of anti-static material. This material keeps the mist in the air longer and the one way valve holds it for a short period of time in the chamber so you have the time to inhale into your lung. Ideally the chamber should also have an audible flow signal, which will alert you if you are breathing too fast.

References:

lung.org. Lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/managing-asthma/valved-holding-chambers. Accessed October 2017
What should I consider when selecting a facemask?
What should I consider when selecting a facemask?

Babies and all young children who cannot use the mouthpiece of the spacer should be encouraged to use a facemask. It is important that the facemask fits comfortably on the face providing a good fit, to help them receive the proper dose of inhaler medication¹. Philips LiteTouch mask with its soft sculpted patient seal contours to a patient's facial landscape making it easy to fit with less discomfort².

References:
[1] Erzinger, S. et al. Facemaks and aerosol delivery in vivo. Journal Aerosol Medicine 2007; 20 (Suppl 1):S78-S84
[2] Tong, K. et al. An Instrumented Valved Holding Chamber with facemask to measure application forces and flow in young asthmatic children. Journal of Aerosol Med and Pulm Drug Del. 2014; 27 (Suppl 1): S55-62.
I use a spacer with mask for delivery of inhaled medication to my child. How do I know when she is breathing the medication in from the spacer?
I use a spacer with mask for delivery of inhaled medication to my child. How do I know when she is breathing the medication in from the spacer?

Make sure you are using a spacer or valved holding chamber that has some type of indicator that you can monitor when your child is breathing in¹. The Philips OptiChamber Diamond has an exhalation valve that you can see moving upon exhalation. This allows you to time the release of medication when the valve goes from open to flat. You can also count the number of breaths he/she takes from the chamber.

References:

[1] lung.org Lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/managing-asthma/valved-holding-chambers. Accessed October 2017
My two year old fights me when I try to use a mask to give her a puffer. What can I do to make treatment time less of a struggle?
My two year old fights me when I try to use a mask to give her a puffer. What can I do to make treatment time less of a struggle?

Children up to 3 years of age cannot use a mouthpiece, so treatment with a spacer should be given with a face mask¹. Leaks around the face mask can result in decrease medication being inhaled³. To prevent leaks, you may need to hold the face mask on your child's face tightly. This causes the child to cry and fuss during the treatment. Crying causes more of their medication to be inhaled into the stomach and less in the lungs where it is needed. Philips LiteTouch mask with its soft sculpted patient mask seal requires less pressure to contour to patient’s facial landscape - making it easy to fit with less discomfort, especially for small children than conventional VHC masks². Also select a low volume chamber (less then 350 mL) like the OptiChamber Diamond. The larger chambers require more breaths and more time to get all the medication from a single dose⁴. This LiteTouch mask and a low volume spacer such as the OptiChamber Diamond may help you deliver the medication quickly and comfortably to your child.

References:
[1] Global Initiative for Asthma(GINA). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention. ginasthma.org updated Dec 2010. Accessed 13 January 2016.

[2] Tong, K. et al. An Instrumented Valved Holding Chamber with facemask to measure application forces and flow in young asthmatic children. Journal of Aerosol Med and Pulm Drug Del. 2014; 27 (Suppl 1): S55-62.

[3] Erzinger, S. et al. Facemasks and aerosol delivery in vivo. Journal Aerosol Medicine 2007; 20 (Suppl 1):S78-S84
[4] Nikander, K. The evolution of spacers and Valved Holding Chambers. Journal of Aerosol Med and Pulm Drug Del. 2014; 27 (Suppl 1): S4-24.
How can I objectively monitor my child’s asthma?
How can I objectively monitor my child’s asthma?

From age 5+ Monitoring your child’s peak flow readings with a peak flow meter and tracking them with a diary or chart can help you to objectively determine whether your child's asthma is stable or worsening. In conjunction with their prescribed asthma action plan, you can take appropriate action to bring your child's asthma back under control.

References:

lung.org Lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/managing-asthma/assess-and-monitor-your. Accessed October 2017
What is the peak flow meter and how does it work?
What is the peak flow meter and how does it work?

A peak flow meter is a small handheld device that is best suited to be used in children 5 years of age or older. It is used to measure the "peak expiratory flow (PEF)" of your child. PEF is a measurement of fast your child can blow air out of their lungs after they take a full breath. When they blow into the mouthpiece the small marker will move, and where it ends up is the peak flow reading. The highest reading from three attempts should be recorded as their peak flow reading. If your child's asthma is well controlled, their airways are open, so they are able to blow air out of the lungs quickly, which will give a high peak flow reading. However, if your children's asthma is not controlled, the airways will narrow and they will not be able to blow air out so fast, which will give a lower peak flow reading.

References:

Asthma.org.uk. All_about_asthma/controlling_your_asthma/resources_to_help_you/peak_flow_diary. Accessed Oct 2017.
What is personal best peak flow reading?
What is personal best peak flow reading?

Your children's personal best peak flow reading is the highest reading that they can achieve when their asthma is well controlled. Well controlled means that they are feeling good and having no symptoms. To determine personal best peak flow, record the highest peak flow reading from three attempts that are performed twice a day for 2 weeks. Personal best peak flow is the highest reading achieved over this two week period. Remember that keeping track of your child’s peak flow reading is an important step in managing their asthma symptoms and preventing asthma flare-ups. All this information is recorded in a diary used by your healthcare professional.

What is a peak flow meter?

References:

Webmd.com. Asthma/guide/peak-flow-meter. Accessed October 2017.

DISCLAIMER:
Information on this website is informational only and should not replace the advice of a physician.

FOOTNOTES:
[1] Newman, S.P., et al. Improvement of pressurized aerosol deposition with Nebuhaler spacer device. Thorax, 1984; 39(12) 935-41

[2] Asthma.org.uk. Advice/inhalersmedicines.treatments/inhalers-and-spacers. Accessed January 2016.

[3] Asthma.org.uk. Advice/manage-your-asthma. Accessed January 2016.

[4] Gardenhire D., Arzu A., Dean H., Myers T. A guide to aerosol delivery devices for respiratory therapists 3rd edition, American Association for Respiratory Care, 2013.

[5] Versus predecessor, Aeroneb Go.

[6] Using 2.5ml salbutamol.
[7] ginasthma.org. 2017-gina-report-global-strategy-for-asthma-management-and-prevention. Assessment of Asthma page 29. Accessed November 2017.

Controlling your asthma

Understanding how asthma management can help