This month, Dr. Richard Baker joined our group for a question an answer session. He has been on the medical staff for twenty years. His experience and knowlege provided us some very valuable information.

Using Cleaning Products: We all use them, but they can be a problem to our breathing. Be careful to always use good ventilation and, if you start having trouble breathing, move to another room and take a break. Even the mildest of cleaning products can create fumes. The most important thing to remember about cleaning products is to never mix ammonia and bleach. This combination will cause fumes that are dangerous to anyone, with or without breathing problems. Always read labels and use all cleaning products safely.

Smoking: Most of us are aware of the consequences of smoking. Our lungs peak around age thirty and decline afterwards. Smokers have a more rapid decline in the bronchial tubes. Statistically, if a person stops smoking after seven years, the decline rate almost matches those of non-smokers. There is still deterioration, but quitting smoking stops the damage. Problems can also occur in non-smokers if they live with smokers. Side stream smoke (smoke not directly inhaled) can be damaging as well.

New Medications: Flovent is a steroid used to help reduce swelling in the bronchial tubes. Serevent is a long-acting medication which opens the bronchial passage. In the past, these two products were combined to get the benefits of both.

Now, both of these medications have been combined into one called Advair. The combined affect opens the bronchial tubes and reduces swelling. Advair comes in a disk-type dispenser instead of a pressurized container. The microfine powder is inhaled easier, with almost twice the medication going into the lungs. Only one dose two times a day is needed. Eventually all inhaled medications will move from the pressurized container to the powder form. Serevent and Flovent are now also available in the powder form.

Inhalers: If you use an inhaler, it is important to use it correctly. If you use it improperly, you won't be getting enough of the medication you need. Frequently, improper use could cause the medication to just spray onto the back of your throat and not get into the lungs where it is needed. See our Better Breathers tutorial, Your Inhaler And Using It for the proper method of "puffing." Remember, if you have problems with your medication, ask your doctor about another one. Side affects may differ from one brand to another even though the medications work the same.

Better Breathers Support Group thanks Dr. Richard Baker for taking time out of his very busy schedule to talk with us and answer our questions.