Asthma is a medical condition of chronic inflammation of the lung accompanied by intermittent episodes of worsening symptoms known as asthma attacks or exacerbations. There are two types of asthma, which differ in the triggers for exacerbations: extrinsic asthma attacks are triggered by allergies, while intrinsic asthma attacks are triggered by other factors like exercise, colds, changes in the weather, viral illnesses and stress. The treatment is similar for both types, except for allergy control in extrinsic asthma.
Medicines work better if administered at the first sign of an asthma attack. Symptoms of an asthma attack include cough, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Quick relief bronchodilators
Albuterol is one of the most common quick-acting medications. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, bronchodilators like albuterol work by relaxing the muscle surrounding the airway, opening them to improved air exchange. If you suffer from exercise-induced asthma, these medicines help prevent an asthma attack if used prior to the exercise. Quick relief bronchodilators are available in combination with another medicine called ipratropium, which is another bronchodilator that also helps dry up the airways of mucous.
Oral steroids
Oral steroids work by decreasing the amount of inflammation during asthma attacks. They work best in combination with other medicines, like bronchodilators. Physicians often prescribe a loading dose of an oral steroid like prednisone for the first day, then a lower maintenance dose for the next four days. If you received intravenous steroids for several days, you might take oral steroids for a longer period of time, slowly weaning the dose to prevent a sudden decrease in steroid in your body.
Inhaled steroids
Inhaled corticosteroids are medicines used in the prevention of asthma attacks. They work by decreasing the inflammation surrounding the lungs. The Merck Manuals indicate that one of the benefits of inhaled steroids is that they go directly into the lungs, minimizing the mount of steroid delivered to the rest of the system, decreasing the chance of side effects. Long-term use of inhaled steroids decrease the sensitivity of the airways to triggers of inflammation, but can also generate side effects like confusion, obesity, osteoporosis and elevated blood sugar levels.
