Sometimes the only way to tell the difference between asthma and allergies is to see whether a prescription bronchodilator makes a difference.
Asthma responds dramatically. Allergies don't. And having one doesn't mean you can't have the other, since people who have allergies have a predisposition to allergies, according to Loren Greenway, director of LDS Hospital's respiratory care program, who with registered respiratory therapist Liz Huggins answered questions on respiratory illness during Saturday's Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Hotline.
Lots of callers asked the duo about the recall by Schering Laboratories of certain prescription inhalation aerosol asthma products.
The recall of Proventil albuterol inhalers and Vanceril (ceblomethasone dipropionate) inhalers came as a "precaution to address the remote possibility that an aerosol inhaler may not contain active drug, although the company believes that all of its aerosol products currently in the marketplace are safe and effective," according to the pharmaceutical company.
Inhalers that have been opened and are providing good results are not part of the recall.
One caller complained that she gets symptoms similar to asthma when she exercises, including shortness of breath, wheezing and difficulty breathing around the chlorine in a swimming pool.
"Exercise-induced asthma is fairly common," Greenway noted, adding that the medication Cerevent was created specifically for that condition.
A mother wanted to know whether she should give her daughter medications when she seems to be having an asthma attack or if she should wait to see if the attack is real.
"Treat it anyway, don't wait to be sure," Huggins said. "Each attack causes a little more scarring in the lungs." Besides, it's easier to bring an attack under control if it's not allowed to progress.
Many patients who have asthma are on multiple medications, and Greenway said anyone who isn't sure he or she is taking it properly should check with a physician or a health educator.
IHC is among a number of groups which are responding to apparent increases in both number and severity of asthma cases. They've established an asthma education program.
The second Saturday of each month the Deseret News and IHC jointly sponsor a health hotline on a different medical topic. Calls to the hotline are confidential.
E-mail: lois@desnews.com