According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 5 million children are affected with asthma in the United States. Asthma happens when allergens such as dust or pollen cause the airways in the lungs to constrict and release excess mucus into the bronchioles. The narrowing and swelling of the bronchial tubes results in difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Asthma is treated with short term rescue inhalers such as albuterol and atrovent as well as inhalers such as Cromolyn that are used for preventative, long term care.
Albuterol
Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to relieve the acute symptoms of asthma. According to Drugs.com, albuterol dilates bronchial airways by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways thus increasing air flow to the lungs. The relaxation of the airways relieves acute asthma symptoms such as couging, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Albuterol is given in a metered dose inhaler such as ProAir or Ventolin HFA, which starts working within 15 minutes and can last up to 6 hours. Side effects commonly associated with albuterol include restlessness, irritability and nervousness.
Atrovent
Atrovent is a bronchodilator sometimes used with albuterol for the treatment of acute asthma. Altrovent inhalers contain the active ingredient ipratropium bromide, which is classified as an antimuscarinic bronchodilator. According to Netdoctor, ipratropium works in the lungs where it blocks muscarinic receptors on the muscles surrounding the airways. During an asthma attack, a chemical known as acetylcholine binds to muscarinic receptors causing them to constrict and the airways to narrow. By binding to these muscarinic receptors, ipratropium blocks the action of acetylcholine, thereby relaxing the muscles and opening the airways.
Cromolyn
Cromolyn is a preventative medication used for the treatment of asthma in children. Cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizer and a low dose inhaled glucocorticoid that controls episodes of asthma caused by foreign antigens. Foreign antigens, such as pollen or dust, cause an allergic reaction in which histamine is released by mast cells causing the airways in the lungs to narrow and constrict. Cromolyn is a synthetic compound that prevents the release of histamine from mast cells thereby preventing episodes of asthma. Cromolyn can be prescribed in an inhaler and the usual dosage is two puffs three to four times a day.
