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Your doctor may have prescribed a preventer for you. Preventers help to prevent asthma attacks. Most preventers contain steroids, but there's no need to have concerns - they're not the same as the ones that some athletes may take. Steroids are in fact very effective in asthma treatment. When inhaled they allow a small amount of medication to be breathed directly into the airways where it is needed most. Very little enters the blood stream, which means side effects are less likely. Tablets containing steroids may still be used to manage an asthma attack, but are less commonly used now.

Preventers help to reduce inflammation and swelling in the walls of your airways. This makes airways less twitchy and helps prevent coughs and wheezes.

Preventers help to improve your asthma control by reducing inflammation in your airways and reducing the production of phlegm. This reduces the chance of having an asthma attack. Preventers won't make you feel better straight away. It will take a few weeks of regular use for the preventer to have its effect. Most people need to continue taking their preventer regularly every day, even when they're feeling better. You should always take your preventer, even when you are feeling fine. Your doctor should review your asthma every few months. It's important to follow the prescribed dosage.

Remembering to use your preventer is simple. A good habit to get into is to keep your preventer next to your toothbrush. This way you will use it morning and night before brushing your teeth. Remember to rinse your mouth after taking your medication.