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INHALERS Inhaler alert A University of British Columbia based research team has alerted doctors that B2-agonists, dispensed as inhalers and used by all kinds of people diagnosed as having asthma shouldn't be used daily whether needed or not as is recommended by some physicians. The most commonly used B2-agonist is salbutanol sold as Ventolin. Their suggestion was that if a person needs the inhaler more than three times a week they be started on an inhaled corticosteroid such as beclomethasone marketed as Beclovent and Beclofort, or budesonide marketed as Pulmicort. While the B2-agonists may relieve the allergy symptoms, the corticosteroid may relieve the underlying cause of the problem. Several studies have pointed out that routine use of B2-agonists can make people's asthma worse and is linked with increased risk of death or near death from asthma. Note: - Many people with CMT are diagnosed with asthma when in fact they may have asthma and diaphragm weakness due to phrenic nerve involvement because of CMT. If you've been diagnosed with asthma but nothing helps much and have difficulty sleeping or wake up with a splitting headache, ask your doctor to think about diaphragm involvement.
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