Asthma cannot be cured, so the goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and help individuals live a normal life. Medications can either prevent asthma symptoms over the long-term or provide rapid relief from a sudden attack.
Long-term Control of Asthma Symptoms
The preferred approach in asthma treatment is to prevent sudden attacks. Medications that are taken every day work by reducing two main symptoms, inflammation and the constriction of the airways. Common long-term medications include corticosteroids, long-acting Beta-agonists, leukotriene modifiers and theophylline.
Corticosteroids are inhaled medications that reduce airway inflammation. Examples include Flovent and Pulmicort.
Long-acting beta-agonists are inhaled medications that relax the airways muscles. Salmeterol fits into this category.
Leukotriene modifiers are inhaled medications that reduce constriction of the airway muscles and excess mucous production Accolate, Singulair and Zyoflow CR are examples of this medication.
Theophylline is a daily pill that relaxes the airway muscles.
Quick-relief of Asthma Attacks
Sudden onset of asthma symptoms can be uncomfortable, frightening or even life-threatening. Fast-acting medications should be used during an asthma attack or before exercise. If these medications are used frequently, the long-term control medications probably need adjusted. Examples of quick-relief medications include short-acting beta-agonists, ipratropium and corticosteroids.
Short-acting beta-agonists are inhaled medications that temporarily relax airway muscles. Albuterol is one such product.
Ipratropium is an inhaled medication that quickly relaxes airway muscles. Atrovent is one of these medications on the market.
Corticosteroids are injectable or oral drugs that relax airways (Prednisone and Methylprednisone). These are only used for severe attacks, due the risk of side effects if they are administered on a frequent basis.
Treatment of Allergy-induced Asthma
In certain individuals, asthma may be triggered by allergic reactions. If a doctor diagnoses allergy as a primary inducer of asthma attacks, she may recommend treatments that mitigate allergic reactions or reduce the patient's exposure to the offending substance, or allergan. For example:
Cromolyn and nedocromil are inhaled medications that reduce allergic reactions.
Immunotherapy, which involves repeated injecting of small amounts of the allergan, may gradually decrease the frequency and severity of allergic reactions.
Removal and avoidance of the substance a person is allergic to can reduce the chance of an asthma attack by limiting the opportunity for an allergan to trigger an asthma attack.
