Medication for Asthma
- Asthma is a lung disease that is chronic, which causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways resulting in chest tightening, shortness of breath, consistent periods of wheezing and coughing. Asthma can target anyone of any age and is among one of the largest incurable diseases affecting millions of people to date. Since no cure has been found, asthma can be managed by a growing list of medications and treatments.
- Anti-inflammatory medications can progressively assist in preventing asthma attacks. Known to be one of more relevant treatments for asthma, these forms of medications help in eliminating mucus that can be trapped in airways and reduce swelling, leaving airways less likely be sensitive in reacting to triggers. Most anti-inflammatory medications contain steriods and are administered as inhalants. Some common examples of treatments used are Intal and Tilad inhalers.
- Bronchodilators are asthma treatments used to relax muscles surrounding airways that are tightened. They are the most commonly used fast-acting medication for asthma. Bronchodilators are used to combat current short-term or recent longer term affects of asthma attacks. They work by rapidly opening the airways, to allow more air flow in and out of the lungs resulting in improved breathing and mucus extraction. Bronchodilators can be found in pill, inhalant and injection forms. Some commonly used Bronchodilators are Advair, Symbicort and Serevent.
- Long-term control medications are for more severe cases. They can come in pill, inhalant and injection form and are taken daily over an extended period of time to help reduce and prevent further inflammation, asthma attacks, hospitalizations and death associated with asthma. When long-term control medications are combined with with anti-inflammatory drugs, it can be among the most effective ways for preventative combat of asthma. Corticosteroids, Theophylline, and Xolair are a few examples of long-term asthma control medications.
