Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) Controllers
This is a representative controller treatment that reduces airway inflammation. Follow the prescribed frequency and method, and do not discontinue the medication arbitrarily just because symptoms are absent.
Relievers and Action Plan
Use as prescribed when coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath occurs. If the response is insufficient or symptoms worsen, follow the contact and emergency criteria in the action plan.
Additional Controllers and Biologics
If control is difficult or the condition is severe, medical staff will review stage adjustments, including other controllers or biologics, based on age, type, and response.
Do not stop controllers just because symptoms are absent
Airway inflammation may remain even on days when you feel comfortable; therefore, any reduction or discontinuation must be decided by medical staff after evaluating the control status and risks.
Inhaler technique errors are not viewed as medication failure
Demonstrate to the medical staff whether the device is working properly and how you inhale, and receive repeated corrections.
Do not wait for acute attacks to be treated with herbal medicine
Shortness of breath that makes speaking difficult, cyanosis, changes in consciousness, or no response to prescribed relievers are signs that immediate emergency treatment is required.
How Baekrokdam approaches care
Baekrokdam first verifies the asthma diagnosis, inhalation therapy, and personal action plan. Acute attacks are not delayed for herbal medicine treatment but are connected to emergency or respiratory care. Only after inhaled steroid-centered treatment is stably maintained, and if cough, phlegm, fatigue, and sleep disturbance become chronic or recurrent, supportive treatment goals are set within a range that does not worsen lung function or reliever usage.
- Lung function, peak expiratory flow, and asthma diagnosis
- Controller/reliever prescriptions and inhaler technique
- Personal action plan and emergency care criteria
- Nighttime awakening, activity limitations, and recurrent worsening
- Triggers, smoking exposure, and all current medications
Verify if inhalation therapy is being actively used
Rather than looking only at the name of the prescription, we verify the use of controllers and the proper operation of the inhaler to distinguish between areas requiring correction in respiratory care and those needing supportive counseling.
Track remaining cough, phlegm, and lung function
We determine whether to continue Korean herbal medicine treatment by monitoring for nighttime awakenings, activity limitations, the use of relievers, and ensuring that lung function does not deteriorate.
Immediately pivot to the treatment plan upon signs of worsening
If shortness of breath and wheezing increase, we execute the action plan and request a re-evaluation of the treatment stage from respiratory medical staff instead of repeating Korean herbal medicine.
Priority is given to standard treatment, including lung function diagnosis for asthma and the use of inhaled steroid-based controllers, relievers, and biological agents. Korean herbal medicine treatment does not replace the control of airway inflammation or the treatment of acute attacks, and prescribed inhalers must not be reduced or discontinued arbitrarily. Seek emergency medical care immediately for shortness of breath that makes speaking difficult, cyanosis, decreased consciousness, or lack of response to relievers.
