Breathing is an essential part of life, and it’s for that reason that being able to get relief from asthma is so important. The way asthma sufferers can be suddenly forced to battle for breath isn’t only a problem for them, but it can also be quite a cause for concern for others around them who see them struggling to breathe. Fortunately, asthma inhalers have been providing treatment for asthma for many years now. The Flovent Inhaler is one of the more well-known ones, but it is common to ask is Flovent a rescue inhaler?
If you’re already experiencing an asthma attack – meaning it’s begun and you’re having difficulty inhaling normally – then you need to use a rescue inhaler. They are referred to as rescue ones because they are designed to promote the airway being more opened to again to allow you to breathe without difficulty. In answer to is Flovent a rescue inhaler – it is not. Instead, it is used to prevent the severity and frequency of asthma attacks and is used on a more ongoing basis.
As it states clearly on the product’s website – ‘FLOVENT does not relieve sudden breathing problems from asthma. Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden symptoms. FLOVENT is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and won’t replace a rescue inhaler.’
That makes it clear. Is Flovent a rescue inhaler? No, it’s not and it’s designed for more long-term and ongoing use to manage asthma symptoms. This makes it more a maintenance inhaler for asthma rather than a rescue inhaler for asthma.
Difference in Active Ingredients Between Asthma Inhaler Types
The primary active ingredient in the Flovent Inhaler is Fluticasone. It is a corticosteroid medication, and what corticosteroid medications do is reduce inflammation. What’s behind an asthma sufferer’s difficulty with breathing is inflammation of the airway that makes it more constricted. For anyone not familiar with the term ‘constricted’, to constrict something means to tighten it so that there is less available space through the middle of it.
By reducing the inflammation response in the body, the fluticasone in your Flovent Inhaler works to lessen the severity of all the asthma attacks you may have. However, there may be ones that are still severe and result in you having significant difficulty breathing.
The primary active ingredient in most asthma rescue inhalers is albuterol. This ingredient is different and a big part of why the answer to why is Flovent a rescue inhaler is no, it isn’t. It’s designed for regular ongoing use, meaning the person would be using a Flovent Inhaler even when they’re not experiencing an asthma attack. A rescue inhaler for asthma will be used only when an asthma attack is underway.
Quick-Relief Inhaler or Long-Acting Inhaler
A rescue inhaler for asthma may also be referred to as a quick-relief inhaler, and as we’ve established they’re used to counteract an asthma attack that’s already started. The Flovent inhaler is different in that it’s taken even when a person with asthma is breathing as normally as anyone else. The Flovent is then classified as being a long-acting inhaler, or maintenance inhaler for asthma.
So between active ingredient, function, and classification we have a definitive answer to is Flovent a rescue inhaler. It’s not, but what asthma sufferers can know is that regular use of a Flovent inhaler can mean that asthma attacks occur less frequently and are less severe when they do occur. That means having to use your rescue inhaler less frequently, though of course, it’s still something you should keep with you and especially if you’re going to be away from home for a while.
Natural Approaches to Aid with Asthma Relief
Some understandings will be based in opinion, while others will be based in fact. Is Flovent a rescue inhaler? It’s a fact that it is not. We are of the opinion that it’s always good to look into natural ways for treating a health condition. Especially if those approaches can make any medication even more effective.
Here are smart choices you can make to reduce the severity of asthma:
1. Dietary – eat more fruits and vegetables, as Vitamins C and E help to reduce inflammation around your airways.
2. Try the Buteyko Breathing Technique – an effective natural way to treat asthma
3. The Papworth Method – among these 6 breathing exercises for severe asthma
4. Also consume more garlic and ginger in your diet
5. Take fish oil or supplements with high levels of omega-3 oils
6. Do Yoga
7. Try Hypnotherapy
8. Look into acupuncture or speleotherapy (salt room treatment) as natural ways to treat asthma
It is quite likely that pairing any number of these natural approaches with the use of a Flovent inhaler as a maintenance inhaler may mean you get the most relief possible from your asthma. This is something some people will really want to look into, and especially those who find their asthma has worsened. Is Flovent a rescue inhaler? No, it’s not and it’s a long-acting asthma inhaler.
