CanDrug March 2006 Newsletter

March 2006 Issue of the CanDrug.com Newsletter

Issue 18 March 2006   CanDrug Health Solutions Inc.,

Referral Program gives you $10.

Print this coupon and give it to a friend.  If they send it to the pharmacy with their first order of $50 or more (excluding shipping), they will receive $10 off that order.  Send a copy of the coupon to our Bellingham office (PO Box 29077 Bellingham WA 98228) and we’ll send you a check for $10 after your friend places their order.

Feel free to make copies and spread the word.  No limit of referrals.

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Don't let asthma manage you; you manage your asthma?

The consensus of asthma specialists is that the best way to manage asthma is to have the individual actively involved in his or her own treatment.

Goals of Asthma Management

1. Normalize lifestyle (taking into account environmental control): the individual should be able to participate in virtually any activity he or she wishes
2. Freedom from night/early AM symptoms: sleep should not be disturbed by asthma symptoms
3. Relief or bronchodilator medications should not be required daily (other than with vigorous exercise)
4. Normalize or optimize lung function as measured by peak flow or lung function testing

Patient Education

Patient education is an important area where asthma treatment can be improved. Asthma is common and controllable. Asthma is a disease that is variable, meaning that symptoms may get worse and may improve over time. Because of this variability it is often necessary to review and change the treatment. In order to enhance the patient-physician relationship, the patient must be familiar with the following:

• Nature of the disease; identifying provoking factors
• Nature of medications and side effects
• Proper technique of using devices
• Goals of treatment
• Early recognition of worsening control
• Written Action Plan
• Asthma Diary Form

The patient with this type of knowledge can communicate to the physician in order to work out an appropriate treatment plan. The goals of treatment should be understood and agreed upon by both the physician and the patient.

Environmental Control

Environmental control should always be initiated along with taking the appropriate medications. If exposures to inducers are avoided, less medication is required.

It is not always easy to identify what inducer is making the asthma worse. It often means reviewing the history of symptoms carefully i.e. keeping track of the symptoms.

Controlling the inside and outside environment at home and in school, should be considered for those people who have identified allergies. For example:

• House dust mites: Dust mites are small parasites that live off the dead skin that we shed. Decrease exposure by enclosing mattress and box spring in plastic and washing all bed sheets and blankets in hot water once a week.
• Pets: If allergic to pets, animals should not be allowed in the house; this can include animals such as dogs, cats, gerbils and birds. People with identified animal allergies should not care for the pet.
• Smoke: No smoking in the home should be allowed at any time.
• Mold: Remove the mold wherever and whenever mold is found. Bleach can be used for this. The source of mold should be eliminated.
• High humidity: Increased moisture in the home can encourage mold growth and house dust mites, which require greater than 50% humidity to survive. Humidifiers, if not cleaned properly, can grow bacteria and produce a residue which some people find irritating to their lungs.
• Pollens: It may be necessary to avoid playing outside during times of high pollen counts. Pollen counts are usually greater in hot, dry and/or windy weather and usually between 4-10 AM. Camping and raking leaves will expose the person to pollens.

Medication Management

• involves introduction or change in anti-inflammatory treatment

• add or increase medication - for increased symptoms
• decrease medication - when symptom free

The guiding factors to medication control includes:

1. Symptoms
2. Objective measures

Severity of symptoms may be determined by objective measures such as peak flow or spirometry.

Source of Information: The Lung Association of Canada.  www.lung.ca 

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Affordable Inhalers at Candrug.com*

Advair Diskus – 60 doses

Combivent – 200 doses

Q-Var

Flovent – 120 doses

Albuterol (Generic)

Flovent – 120 doses

*Price subjects to change without further notifications.

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CanDrug Customer Feedback

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Copyright ©2006 - All rights reserved.

CanDrug

PO Box 29077    Bellingham, WA 98228
 http://www.candrug.com