Asthma is a chronic condition affecting the lungs. Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are caused by inflammation and swelling in the airway, and constriction of smooth muscle surrounding the airway. The American Lung Association (ALA) reports that over 23 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma; this number includes 7 million children. While there is no cure for asthma, the symptoms are treated using medication, patient education and control of triggering substances.
Medication
Asthma symptoms, especially if chronic and/or severe, are often treated with medications that reduce inflammation and swelling in the airways, or prevent the muscles from constricting around the airways. MedlinePlus, an online medical encyclopedia associated with the National Institutes of Health, provides information about the different types of drugs used to control asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids treat asthma symptoms by decreasing the inflammation in the lungs over the long-term. Leukotriene modifers also reduce inflammation in the lungs, but target a different inflammatory mechanism than corticosteroids. Long-acting beta-agonists treat asthma by relaxing the muscles in the airways. There are also combination inhalers available, which combine an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist. This type of asthma therapy is quite effective at reducing the symptoms of asthma by targeting both inflammation and muscle constriction. A fourth type of drug therapy, according to the Mayo clinic, is called a short-acting beta agonist; this type of medication is to provide immediate relief of asthma symptoms, and is thus called a "rescue inhaler."
Control Triggers
Another factor that is critical in managing the treatment for asthma symptoms is controlling specific triggers that cause attacks, which vary from person to person. Merck Manuals, an online medical library for medical professions, reports how environment may play a key role in causing asthma attacks. For example, exposure to allergens is a potent cause of asthma for those who are allergic. If a person is allergic to dust mites, she might benefit from the use of specialized pillow and mattress covers that prevent dust mites from entering these common habitats. Other possible non-allergic triggers according to Merck Manuals include: cigarette smoke; strong odors; chemicals used for cleaning; cold and/or hot temperatures; high humidity; exercise. Merck Manuals suggests that the asthmatic (or his parents, in the case of a child) should try to restrict exposure to as many triggers as possible.
Patient Education
Another essential part of successfully treating asthma is patient education. Merck Manuals, an online medical library for health care professionals, reports that patients do better when they know more about asthma. This includes what activities and/or substances trigger an attack, how to properly use inhalers, and which medications to use under what circumstances. According to Merck Manuals, patients should have a written plan that includes daily management of asthma symptoms and what action to take during an acute asthma attack.
