Know Your Options For Asthma Medications And How It Is Treated

Asthma can be anything from a mild inconvenience to a serious condition, but one thing that’s always true is the importance of treatment.

Most methods rely on alleviating the symptoms to help you establish short-term relief and long-term control. By utilizing a combination of treatment methods, you’ll be one step closer to easing your asthma symptoms.

Without any further ado, let’s delve a bit deeper into how you can overcome any associated difficulties and lead a relatively unimpeded life:

Asthma Medications

There is a combination of fast-acting and long-term treatment methods that can be used together for maximum effect:

Rescue Inhalers

Designed as a means for easing asthma symptoms, inhalers relax the muscles in your airways to clear a path for regular breathing. This type of quick relief is designed for occasional use, where if symptoms are more persistent and you’re constantly reaching for your inhaler, it’s probably time to visit your doctor.

There are many different types of inhalers to choose from:

Short-acting beta-agonists - The preferred option for quick relief

Oral corticosteroids - Lower swelling in your airways

Anticholinergics - Lessen mucus and open airways

Combination quick-relief medicines

Preventive Long-Term Measures

By taking a preventative approach, you’ll be less likely to trigger asthma attacks and suffer from swollen airways in general. The following measures are essentially a more effective way to manage asthma and ultimately prevent attacks:

Inhaled Corticosteroids

A drug group widely considered one of the most effective long-term control medicines, inhaled corticosteroids are widely distributed and recommended by countless medical experts.

Inhaled corticosteroids include ciclesonide, budesonide, beclomethasone, fluticasone, and mometasone.

Beta-Agonists

These relax and smooth the muscles in your airways. Beta-agonists are inhaled, long-acting medications that work in synergy with inhaled corticosteroids.

If you’re looking to experiment with beta-agonists to discover the right option, look out for salmeterol, vilanterol, and formoterol.

Biologics

Biologics prevent airway inflammation by targeting a protein or cell in your body. They are usually administered via shots or infusions that you can get every few weeks.

As a fairly expensive yet effective method, biologics are usually recommended for those who have attempted other treatments without success. They include reslizumab, omalizumab, dupilumab, mepolizumab, and benralizumab.

Combination Inhaled Medicines

As is fairly evident from the title, a combined method involves taking two different drugs together. For example, taking an inhaled corticosteroid alongside a long-acting beta agent.

A combined approach capitalizes on the synergistic properties of the drugs in question. Common combination drugs include Breo, Advair, Dulero, and Symbicort.

Cromolyn

Cromolyn will safeguard you from asthma triggers by preventing swelling when administered. This method is taken via an inhaler and is a non-steroid medicine.

Corticosteroids

Often recommended to get your asthma attacks under control, corticosteroids are useful when no other methods seem to be working. They should only be taken for a couple of weeks and usually come in the form of liquids or pills.

Theophylline

These relax and smooth the muscles in your throat that can contract and inhibit good airway flow. Theophylline is taken as a capsule, solution, or syrup.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are prescribed as a long-acting method that addresses ongoing asthma symptoms. However, they should never be used in isolation; they must be taken in conjunction with a daily inhaled steroid.

Medical Disclaimer: 

This article is for informational purposes only. The writer does not hold any medical qualifications. This article is not reviewed by a professional. Some articles may offer information about treatments not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Consulting a doctor or other healthcare professional is always the best course of action. Be sure to speak to a doctor prior to beginning, halting, or altering any treatment course. This article is merely an informational resource. If you have a medical emergency, call a doctor or go to a hospital immediately.