According to the National Institutes of Health, asthma is a chronic lung disease that results in inflammation of the airways. As a result of this inflammation, patients may have difficulty breathing, exercising and doing daily tasks that require exertion. Though asthma cannot be cured, with appropriate treatment the disease can typically be managed to allow the patient to experience minimal symptoms.
Function
Asthma treatment is intended to relieve symptoms and reduce airway inflammation. When a patient is having an asthma attack, the airways become swollen and sensitive. In some people, this happens in response to a particular substance. The NIH explains that the muscles around the airways tighten and narrow the airways further. This chain reaction allows less air to enter the lungs which worsens swelling even further. Treatment is targeted at reducing the inflammation in the airways, opening up the airways during an attack and mitigating the body's response to irritants.
Quick-Relief Medications
An inhaled, short-acting beta-2 agonist such as albuterol is the first medication used for quick relief of asthma symptoms. The NIH says this medication helps to relax the muscles of the airway and allow more air to enter. This medication is typically called a "rescue" medication, which means that it is not intended for daily treatment but rather for use during a flare-up.
Long-Term Treatments
Certain medications are designed to be taken daily as a means of preventing symptoms. The NIH reports that inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective medications for long-term reduction in airway inflammation. Another long-term medication that is often used is a long-acting beta-2 agonist. These medications help to open the airways and may be added to inhaled corticosteroids but are not used alone for asthma treatment. In patients who still have symptoms while on both of these medications, leukotriene modifiers can be used. These medications are taken orally and help to decrease inflammation by decreasing the immune system's response.
Asthma Action Plan
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages asthma patients to work with a physician to formulate an asthma action plan. This plan is a road map for managing asthma that details which medications should be taken daily and which medications should be taken if symptoms worsen. It also explains when the patient should call his doctor or go to the emergency room.
Considerations
If symptoms of asthma such as shortness of breath, cough, wheezing and nighttime cough are infrequent, it is likely that a patient's asthma is under control. One way to track how well the lungs are working while on treatment is to use a peak flow meter. Patients breathe into the device to see how well the air moves out of the lungs. If the measurements on the peak flow meter worsen, this is often a warning that the asthma is no longer well-controlled. While most patients respond to standard treatments, some will need additional therapy such as oral corticosteroids to decrease the airway inflammation. If a patient has a lot of allergies that are contributing to the airway response, a medication called omalizumab is sometimes used to block response to allergens.
