Asthma is a chronic condition in which your airways are swollen and inflamed, making it harder to breathe. The muscles around your airways constrict and you produce extra mucus, both of which make breathing harder as well. Although asthma is not curable, it is highly treatable, and symptoms can be kept under control with medications.
Long-term Control Medications
These medications are primarily taken every day to help prevent problems associated with asthma, according to the Mayo Clinic. Medications in this category include inhaled corticosteroids (Flovent Diskus, Pulmicort), long-acting beta-2 agonists (Serevent Diskus), leukotriene modifiers (Singulair), cromolyn and nedocromil (Tilade) and a daily pill called theophylline. Aside from theophylline, the rest of the long-term control medications are inhaled medications that reduce inflammation of the airways and decrease mucus production, as well as reducing allergic reactions, making it easier to breathe and reducing asthma symptoms. After using an inhaler like those for Flovent and Pulmicort, you should rinse your mouth out with water, which can help prevent mouth and throat irritation and oral yeast infections.
Rescue Medications
Rescue, or quick-relief medications are used during an asthma attack or before exercise. They immediately relax airway muscles to make it easier to breathe, and relieve chest tightness and wheezing. Short-acting beta-2 agonists, also called bronchodilators (albuterol), ipratropium (Atrovent), and oral and inhaled corticosteroids are all considered quick-relief medications. These medications work by quickly relaxing airway muscles and reducing inflammation, making breathing easier. Though the long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids has not been found to be problematic, long-term use of oral corticosteroids can lead to osteoporosis, cataracts, high blood pressure and muscle weakness. These medications are usually only taken briefly. In general, rescue medications are not made for daily use, and if you need to use them more than twice a week, your asthma may need to be re-examined to keep symptoms under control.
Allergy-induced Asthma
Asthma makes your airways more sensitive to allergens, and asthma attacks may be triggered by things you are allergic to. Medications for asthma that is allergy-induced include allergy-desensitization shots and an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody called omalizumab (Xolair). Omalizumab has been found to trigger life-threatening allergic reactions like anaphylaxis in some people, so if you are being treated with this medication, you should be monitored closely after injection. Other choices may be antihistamines and decongestants. Medications like these can be taken on a regular basis or on an as-needed basis, depending on how severe your allergic reactions are. These drugs help reduce your immune system's response to allergens, decreasing your asthma symptoms.
