7 Cost-Effective Treatments for Asthma

You're probably very aware of how much you spend for a gallon of gas or a carton of milk these days. But do you know how much it costs to manage your asthma?

Asthma Treatment Comes at a Cost

Having an asthma attack can take a toll on your wallet. Even if you have a good health insurance plan, when you need medical treatment for asthma, there are out-of-pocket fees for doctor visits or hospital stays as well as the cost for your medications, and even lost wages.

Prevention: the Most Cost-Effective Treatment

Experts say that investing in some simple cost-effective treatment and prevention steps can really pay off. Here are some steps that should be part of your regular asthma management plan:

  1. Allergy-proof your home to minimize exposure to allergens like dust, mold, and pollen since these can all spark your asthma symptoms. The cost of purchasing basic cleaning supplies to dust, vacuum, and scrub your walls, furniture, and floors will be minimal, but the benefits will be significant.
  2. Wash away your triggers. For the cost of hot water, a cup of laundry detergent, and a dab of shampoo, you can remove dust, mold, and pollen from your bedding, clothes, and hair.
  3. Stay away from people who are sick, since getting a cold or the flu can make your asthma worse. Also wash your hands often with an antibacterial hand cleaner (a small bottle can be $3 or less) to protect your body from germs.
  4. Participate in sports that are easy to tolerate. Swimming and walking are great options and better yet, they don't cost much. In return, you'll also experience better health.
  5. Use a peak flow monitor to monitor your breathing capacity to find out when your condition is worsening even before your symptoms kick in. A basic plastic peak flow monitor costs under $25, while a deluxe electric model can cost $100 or less. (Better yet, many insurance plans will cover some or all the costs.)
  6. Take your medication as directed. What you will spend for your prescriptions depends on which ones you take and how much your insurance covers, but the investment will be well-spent to keep your symptoms in check and will help you avoid needing medical care.
  7. Invest in staying well. See your doctor periodically to stay on top of your condition, since your asthma can respond to changes in weather, stress, health, and the environment. The price of a visit can vary depending on your insurance and the kinds of tests you have to take, but the money that's spent will be worth it.

In return for your proactive asthma treatment and prevention efforts, you'll lower your health care costs and improve your quality of life.

You may also be interested in QualityHealth's Prescription Savings Card. It can help you save up to 70 percent on prescriptions at thousands of pharmacies nationwide. Go to https://www.qualityhealth.com/rxcard for more information.

 


 

Sources:

"Asthma Management." American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. ACAAI, n.d. Web. Feb. 7, 2011.

"How Can I Deal With My Asthma?" TeenHealth, from Nemours. KidsHealth.org, Nov. 2009. Web, 7 Feb. 2011.

"How is Asthma Treated and Controlled?" National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, n.d. Web, 7 Feb. 2011.