What is the frequency of short-acting inhaler use for someone with mild persistent asthma?

For someone with mild persistent asthma, the correct frequency of short-acting inhaler use would be more than two days per week, but not daily. Individuals with mild persistent asthma typically experience symptoms more than twice a month but less than once a day. The National Asthma Guidelines recommend that short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs), which are often used in these inhalers, should not be the mainstay of asthma management for these patients.

When asthmatic individuals find themselves using their rescue inhaler more than twice a week, it indicates that their asthma may not be adequately controlled and suggests the need for reassessment of their asthma management plan. Therefore, the frequency of use reflects relative control of the disease and may warrant additional therapies, such as inhaled corticosteroids or other long-term control medications, to effectively manage their condition and prevent exacerbations.

Using the inhaler on rare occasions or only once a week would imply better control over their asthma, which does not align with the criteria for mild persistent asthma, where symptoms can often be more frequent. Daily usage, on the other hand, suggests the patient may have more persistent symptoms requiring a reevaluation of their treatment strategy.