Asthma is known as a hypersensitivity disease, similar to allergies. In asthma, the body's immune system overreacts to benign stimuli, such as cold air or smoke, leading to an intense immune reaction. This reaction causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to a number of respiratory symptoms, including trouble breathing, wheezing and a persistent cough.
Albuterol
Albuterol is one of the most commonly used short-term treatments for pediatric asthma. Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist and is commonly inhaled. Beta-2 agonists are also known as bronchodilators. They work to help relax the smooth muscles around the airways. As a result, they help the airways relax to help relieve some of the symptoms of asthma.
Ipratropium
Ipratropium is another medication that, when inhaled, can be used to temporarily treat asthma. Ipratropium is a medication that is also known as an anticholinergic, which means that it blocks the effects of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a chemical that can, in the lungs, cause the constriction of the airway that causes the symptoms of asthma. Consequently, using an ipratropium inhaler can prevent the wheezing and difficulty breathing that asthma causes.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Because asthma is a condition that is caused by an overactive immune system, medications (such as corticosteroids) can be used to suppress the immune system and prevent asthma attacks. Inhaled corticosteroids (such as budesonide, fluticasone, and flunisolide) work to prevent inflammation in the airways and are the most commonly used medications for long-term asthma control.
LABA
Another type of medications that can be used in children to treat asthma is called long-acting beta-2 agonists. These medications work similarly to albuterol but work for a longer period of time. Salmeterol and formoterol can be inhaled and work to reduce the inflammation and narrowing of the airways that mark asthma.
Leukotrienes
Leukotrienes are compounds which are used to activate the immune system. Consequently, they can also be blocked as a way of treating asthma. These inhalable medications (including montelukast) can be used to reduce airway inflammation, relax the smooth muscle that causes narrowing of the airways, and can also help treat the cough that is often associated with asthma. The low risk of side effects make these medications commonly recommended for children.
