Posts

Drug Companies Are Lowering Out of Pocket Inhaler Costs to $35

Image
It seems like all Congress does lately is fight. They don't seem to get any actual work done as neither side can agree on legislation.  But it was interesting to see that the Senate Health, Education and Labor (HELP) committee was investigating high price inhalers. In January, the HELP committee had contacted all 4 manufacturers of inhalers to ask why inhalers cost so much more in the US than they do in other countries. They gave a few examples: Advair costs $319 in the U.S. - but only $26 in the U.K. QVAR costs $286 in the U.S. - but only $9 in Germany. Combivent Respimat costs $489 in the U.S. – but only $7 in France.   In March, AstraZeneca announced it was lowering out of pocket costs to $35 (starting in June.) If you use any of these inhalers, they will cost less out of pocket when summer comes.  Also in March, Boehringer Ingelheim announced it was lowering out of pocket costs to $35, (also starting in June.)   These inhalers will also cost less out of pocket w
Post a Comment
Read more

How does a fall affect asthma?

Image
    How could a fall possibly affect asthma? You might be surprised.  I had a bad fall last week and was injured enough that I needed to go to Urgent Care.   I was in a lot of pain and noticed that I was breathing hard and fast. From teaching asthma education for the last 15 years, I know that an asthma trigger can be strong emotions (such as anger, laughing, crying, surprise, fear, anxiety, etc) I was fearful that I had broken my arm and would need a cast. I knew that if I didn’t get my breathing under control, I would have an asthma attack. So I focused on belly breathing (which is similar to yoga breaths) to calm down my breathing and relax a little bit. Years ago, I taught Open Airways classes at local elementary schools. The six week workshops are short lessons designed to help kids learn about their asthma and how to control it. During one of the modules, I would teach kids how to belly breathe if they were having a hard time with their asthma.  I taught the worksho
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Have you heard of pulmonary rehab? It's a supervised exercise and education program created to help people with long term lung diseases.  Most programs are held at hospitals or outpatient clinics. The sessions are held 2- 3 days for several weeks. Sometimes they will offer in home help. Who will be helping you? A long list of professionals such as: respiratory therapists, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists or social workers, dieticians, spiritual advisors and of course  - doctors.  Since everyone with asthma (or other lung diseases) are different, your program will be different from other patients and designed just for you.  The goals are to help you improve your quality of life, help you with your shortness of breath, and help you improve how you do daily activities (like laundry, going to the grocery store and carrying the groceries in, etc)  How does it work? The different staff members will help you in a variety of areas.  They will start by s
Post a Comment
Read more

What a Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C)?

Image
  Do you want to learn more about asthma?  And want to learn from the best people in the profession? You're in luck! There is a national certification for asthma education in the U.S. It's a tough exam (in my opinion). It took me 3 hours, cost $350, and has a low pass rate. I studied hard and passed the exam in 2016. It's also a voluntary certification.   So those who take and pass the exam do so because they are passionate about asthma education and evidence based care.  What is the certification?  The Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) is managed by the National Board for Respiratory Care. (Previously, it was managed by NAECB - National Asthma Educator Certification Board.) To pass this national certification exam, candidates must have:  ".....comprehensive, current knowledge of asthma pathophysiology and management including developmental theories, cultural dimensions, the impact of chronic illness, and principles of teaching-learning. " Passing this exam sh
Post a Comment
Read more