#-asthma

[unibytekids]

[krikeymate]

Inhalers.

Tara's is orange. This means it's a preventative one that you use daily.

Fluticasone is one medication that is commonly used in orange inhalers. This is used for asthma and COPD. The function of this is to prevent you from getting symptoms. This medication is a steroid, and needs to be used daily. The NHS also says "It's important to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after using a steroid preventer inhaler. This is to prevent infections and a sore mouth." You will usually get a second inhaler - a reliever (usually blue) - for use when you do get symptoms.

The dosage is 1 or 2 puffs taken twice a day. You need to use it even if you don't have symptoms. The dosage can vary between people, it's interesting to note that if you need to take more than 400 micrograms a day then you'll need to carry a blue steroid treatment card, a red steroid emergency card, or both (in the UK, it may be a bit different in America).

Also interesting to note that taking fluticasone at high doses for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers - but that this is not likely to affect their adult height.

So. Actually, in light of this, it makes perfect sense why it was so important that Tara was able to get her inhaler in 5 (and if she was on a high dose she might not actually just be able to get a replacement without documentation), however where they drop the ball is they only ever show the 1 orange inhaler when she really should have a second blue inhaler for relieving symptoms (such as in the shrine).