Can a Respiratory Therapist Reduce My Asthma Flare-ups?
Up to 15% of adults experience ongoing Asthma or COPD flare-ups.1 To deal with this issue, many prefer to augment regular medication use with the help of a respiratory therapist; yet only one out of five people have said they know how to access respiratory therapy.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can make it difficult to breathe. Asthma can be managed with proper treatment and care, and respiratory therapists play a crucial role in helping asthma sufferers manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
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Assessing and Diagnosing Asthma
Respiratory therapists are trained to assess and diagnose respiratory conditions, including asthma. They may use a variety of techniques to evaluate a person’s respiratory function, including spirometry, which measures how much air a person can exhale, and peak flow monitoring, which measures the speed of air when a person exhales. Based on the results of these tests and other factors, a respiratory therapist can help diagnose asthma and determine the severity of the condition.
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Respiratory Therapists Develop a Treatment Plan
Once a person is diagnosed with asthma, a respiratory therapist can work with them to develop a treatment plan. This may include medications to control inflammation and open up the airways, as well as lifestyle changes to help manage the condition. For example, a respiratory therapist may recommend avoiding triggers that can worsen asthma symptoms, such as tobacco smoke or certain types of air pollution.
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Respiratory Therapists Help with Administering Medications
Respiratory therapists are trained to administer a variety of medications, including inhalers and nebulizers, which are commonly used to treat asthma. They can help a person with asthma use these medications properly and can teach them how to use them effectively to control their symptoms.
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Respiratory Therapists Provide Education and Support
Respiratory therapists can provide education and support to help a person with asthma manage their condition. This may include teaching them how to use their inhalers and nebulizers properly, how to recognize and avoid triggers that can worsen their symptoms, and how to develop an action plan to manage their asthma. They can also provide support and guidance to help a person with asthma live a healthy and active life.
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Respiratory Therapy: A Long-Term Solution
Respiratory Therapy is a proven method for managing and reducing the symptoms of Asthma and COPD. Studies show that Respiratory Therapy works as well as or better than other approaches and has effects that last even after the therapy is done.
Fill out Nightingale Health’s questionnaire to get started with Respiratory Therapy right from your phone or computer — no in-person visits necessary. Quality of life is possible when you embark on a therapeutic journey.
