If you are using your asthma puffer more often than usual, it might be time for an Asthma Review. Many Australians with asthma reach for their reliever inhaler regularly without realising it may signal poor asthma control. While rescue inhalers provide short-term symptom relief, frequent use can mean your current asthma treatment plan is not working as it should.
At Berkeley Medical Centre, we help patients identify signs that their asthma needs a review. By adjusting medications and providing personalised asthma action plans, our GPs can help you reduce flare-ups, prevent serious asthma attacks and improve your quality of life.
What This Article Covers
- Signs your asthma treatment needs a review
- The dangers of relying too much on your puffer
- The difference between relievers, preventers and dual-purpose inhalers
- How to assess your asthma control
- What to expect during an asthma review at your GP clinic
Are You Using Your Puffer Too Often?
Your blue or grey asthma inhaler, usually containing salbutamol, is a quick-relief option designed to ease symptoms during an asthma flare-up. It works by relaxing the muscles around your airways, allowing you to breathe easier within minutes.
However, using your reliever inhaler more than twice a week could indicate your asthma is not well-managed. According to national guidelines, people who rely heavily on their relievers without using a preventer are more likely to experience severe asthma attacks.
Common Signs You Need an Asthma Review:
- You use your reliever inhaler more than twice a week
- You have used three or more puffers in the past year
- You wake at night with coughing, wheezing or breathlessness
- You avoid exercise or daily activities due to asthma
- You have had one or more asthma attacks in the past 12 months
If these situations sound familiar, it is time to book an asthma review with your GP.
Why Overusing Your Reliever Inhaler Is a Concern
While reliever inhalers are effective at treating symptoms, they do not treat the underlying inflammation in your lungs. In fact, over-reliance on your puffer can increase your risk of:
- Emergency asthma attacks
- Hospital admissions
- Poor long-term lung function
- Side effects like tremors, increased heart rate and restlessness
Instead of masking symptoms with a reliever, your GP can help manage the root cause through proper asthma medication and ongoing care.
Reliever vs. Preventer Inhalers: What’s the Difference?
Reliever Inhalers (Rescue Inhalers)
- Colour: Usually blue or grey
- Purpose: Quick relief during an asthma attack or before exercise
- Medication: Salbutamol or terbutaline
- Effect: Relaxes airway muscles, works within minutes
- Limitation: Does not reduce inflammation
Preventer Inhalers (Daily Treatment)
- Colour: Orange, brown, red or purple
- Purpose: Daily management of asthma symptoms
- Medication: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), sometimes combined with long-acting relievers
- Effect: Reduces inflammation, swelling and mucus in the lungs
- Benefit: Prevents asthma attacks and reduces sensitivity to triggers
Preventers are essential for long-term asthma control. If you are only using a reliever, your asthma is likely under-treated.
Dual-Purpose Inhalers: Modern Asthma Treatment
Newer inhalers combine both a preventer and a fast-acting reliever, making them a convenient option for people with mild to moderate asthma. These are known as dual-purpose or combination inhalers.
Benefits of Dual-Purpose Inhalers:
- Provide quick symptom relief and long-term inflammation control
- Reduce the need for separate puffers
- Supported by global asthma guidelines
- Ideal for people who forget daily preventers or overuse relievers
Talk to your GP to see if a dual-purpose inhaler suits your asthma needs.
How to Know If Your Asthma Is Under Control
Knowing whether your asthma is under control is essential to avoid long-term complications. Here are key questions to ask yourself:
- Do you experience asthma symptoms more than twice a week?
- Do you wake up at night with breathing difficulties?
- Do you need your reliever before exercise or daily tasks?
- Have you had a recent asthma attack or hospital visit?
- Does asthma limit your daily life?
Use the Asthma Control Test (ACT)
You can complete the free Asthma Control Test (ACT) online. It assesses your asthma control over the last four weeks and provides a score to guide treatment discussions.
What Happens During an Asthma Review?
Booking an asthma treatment review with a GP is a proactive step towards better health. Here’s what you can expect:
- A review of your current symptoms and medication use
- A check of your inhaler technique (which over 80% of patients get wrong)
- Spirometry testing to assess lung function if required
- Identification of asthma triggers
- A personalised Asthma Action Plan
- Medication adjustments
GPs recommend reviewing your asthma at least once a year or more often if symptoms worsen.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Asthma Today
You should not have to rely on your puffer every day or live with unpredictable flare-ups. With the right combination of medication, lifestyle adjustments and GP support, you can significantly reduce asthma symptoms and improve your quality of life.
If you have noticed more frequent symptoms, disrupted sleep or increasing puffer use, now is the time to act. A comprehensive asthma review at Berkeley Medical Centre in Brisbane can help you get back on track and breathe easier.
How Berkeley Medical Centre Can Help
Our team of experienced GPs is here to support your respiratory health with:
- Asthma treatment reviews and medication adjustments
- Education on asthma triggers and inhaler use
- Personalised Asthma Action Plans
- Ongoing asthma management and follow-up care
We work with adults, teens and children to develop effective asthma strategies that reduce attacks and enhance daily life.
