Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and tightness in the chest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 7.3 percent of adults and 9.4 percent of children in the United States suffered from asthma in 2008. Though there is no cure for chronic asthma, there are multiple medications on the market that are prescribed to treat the symptoms associated with the disease.
Bronchodilators
One type of drug prescribed for the treatment of chronic asthma is called a bronchodilator. "Broncho" refers to the lungs, and "dilator" means "to open up"; thus, a bronchodilator works to help open the constriction of the airways that is characteristic in the lungs of asthmatics. MedlinePlus, a service associated with the National Institutes of Health, reports on the different drugs that serve as bronchodilators. Short-acting bronchodilators serve to open up the airways immediately during an asthma attack. An important component of the treatment regimen for chronic asthmatics is the use of a long-acting bronchodilator, which keeps the airways open over the long-term. MedlinePlus lists the inhaler Serevent as an example of a long-acting bronchodilator. Long-acting bronchodilators do not open up the airways immediately and cannot be used to treat an asthma attack already in progress.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are another type of medication prescribed to treat chronic asthma. Corticosteriods act to reduce asthma symptoms by treating the inflammation that causes swelling of the airways. According to the Mayo Clinic, inhalation corticosteroids decrease the number and severity of asthma attacks when taken regularly. The Mayo Clinic also reports that corticosteroids often are prescribed with other medication, such as bronchodilators, to manage chronic asthma. Examples of brand name corticosteriod medications are Flovent, Pulmicort and Aerobid.
Leukotriene Inhibitors
A third type of treatment for the symptoms associated with chronic asthma is a drug called a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotrienes are proteins in the body that are released during an allergic reaction, causing inflammation and triggering asthmatic symptoms. According to MedlinePlus, these medications--such as Singulair, Accolate and Zyflo--are available in a pill or tablet form.
