Those with asthma have been routinely told to double their dose of inhaled steroids when they felt the signs of an impending asthma flare-up. But recently, Canadian researchers have found that this practice doesn’t appear to forestall asthma attacks, reports Fox News.

Dr. Andy Nish, asthma expert of the Allergy and Asthma Care Center in Gainesville, Georgia comments, "Sometimes we do things that seem reasonable and yet maybe aren't as effective as we would like to think." He was not involved in the study.

The Canadian researchers conducted their research by analyzing available data on outcomes with higher doses of inhaled steroids such as Pulmicort or Flovent. The medications keep airway inflammation under control on a daily basis, and doctors supposed that higher doses would be effective in emergency situations. However, the researchers found that doubling or even quadrupling the amount of medication at the start of a flare-up didn't make patients any less likely to require emergency treatment. (The research was conducted with adults, so it's important to note that the findings may not apply to children with asthma.)

So what should asthma patients do when they feel an attack coming on? Dr. Francine M. Ducharme, who was involved in the study, offers the following: "The most important strategy to reduce the rate and severity of flare-ups is to take daily preventive medications for asthma." She also recommends rescue inhalers, which contain short-acting drugs like albuterol to open airways.

Dr. Nish adds that preventing flare-ups is key. "Avoid cigarette smoke, stay indoors if it is a high-smog day, avoid exertion if it's a cold or a hot day, and get your flu shot."

See the Asthma Solution Guide for additional prevention strategies.