While SABAs are helpful, it’s possible to overuse them.
Among those who exceeded the threshold, the rate ofasthma exacerbationswas substantially higher, said Brown.
When theyre exposed to irritants like cigarette smoke or allergens like pollen, the airways can be twitchier.
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Overuse creates conditions in which the airways become what we call hyperresponsive to stimuli.
Reliance on inhalers also does not address the underlying problem of uncontrolled or poorly controlled asthma.
One reason people overuse their inhalers is that they arent able to access health care.
Over-users also tend to havelower knowledge about asthmaas a disease, said Gerald.
And they report being less able to manage asthma on their own.
As Geralds research found, inhaler overuse might also be tied todepression.
There is a lot more research to be done, he added.
The goal isnt to take away the rescue medicines altogether.
He compared a rescue inhaler to any gear that helps people in an emergency.
But we shouldnt need to rely on those rescue strategies on a regular basis.
2015;3(6):957-962. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2015.06.021
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Asthma overview.
