This is good news for asthmatics considering that the health-related costs of asthma are great. The disease results in less income due to less productivity from lost days at work.

In New South Wales, for example, asthma is one of the top ten reasons for visits to doctors and accounted for 55,000 emergency room visits to public hospitals. In Sweden, persons with asthma accounted for 23,000 hospital admissions, while in the United States, asthma is responsible for more than 460,000 hospitalizations and 1.8 million emergency department visits.

By relieving symptoms and preventing further attacks, inhaled medicines reduce the need for hospitalization and they allow patients to live normal, productive lives.

Bronchodilators are used to treat asthma flare-ups and acute attacks and help prevent exercise-induced asthma. They are often used only when you feel it is needed or when you have symptoms less than once or twice a week. In moderate or severe attacks, they can be used more often but no more than 3 or 4 times a day.

To treat moderate to severe persistent asthma, inhaled steroids are usually prescribed. Since they don't act immediately, they must be taken regularly every day. They won't prevent attacks if you take them only during flare-ups. When used daily, studies show that these controllers improve lung function, reduce symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, and improve the quality of life.

Generally, inhaled medicines have fewer side effects than their oral counterparts. Common side effects include a fast heart beat, muscular shaking and nervousness. These side effects are transient and usually disappear with continued use. There is no need to stop your medicine.

Likewise, inhaled steroids have little side effects. The most common are mouth and throat irritation accompanied by coughing or an oral yeast infection (thrush). These can be eliminated by using a spacer (a large plastic cone attached to the inhaler) and by gargling with water after each use.

Keep a diary of your symptoms and any side effects you're experiencing. Show this to your doctor to get the most out of every consultation and follow the prescribed dose. Don't overuse your medicines. Your doctor can help you only if you take an active role in controlling asthma.

How do you fill up an asthma diary? Find out in the 8th part of our series. Don't miss it!

Since obesity is bad for asthmatics, keep your weight down to a healthy level. You can do this with the help of Zyroxin, a safe and natural supplement that will maximize your weight loss through its unique fat-burning ingredients. For details, visit