Asthma Treatment
Though technically asthma is not curable, it can be treated and controlled. Every person experiences asthma differently, so asthma treatment plans should be customized with your doctor. A good asthma treatment plan includes a list of what triggers your asthma, as well as specific medication instructions and guidelines.
About Asthma Medicines
Most asthma medications are taken via a nebulizer or inhaler, though some asthma medications are taken via pills.
There are two kinds of inhalers, which are also known as puffers: metered dose inhalers, and dry powder inhalers. Metered dose inhalers supply small bursts of medication via the use of plastic mouthpiece containing an aerosol canister, while the dry powder inhalers supply a medication in the form of a dry powder via a special kind of inhaler.
Long-term controllers and quick-relievers are considered to be the two general kinds of asthma medicines.
Long-term controllers help control and prevent asthma symptoms. This is often a type of daily medication. There are various kinds of long-term controllers including inhaled corticosteroids (usually inhaled, but sometimes used as oral corticosteroids), inhaled long-acting beta agonists, combination inhaled medicines, biologics (which come in the form of infusions or shots administered every few weeks), leukotriene modifiers (liquid or pill form), cromolyn sodium (inhaled non-steroidal), and theophylline (available in various forms to be taken orally).
Quick-relievers are used to help with relief of any symptoms as they occur. They are meant to be used sporadically, and only occasionally, but are fast acting and generally are able to help with relaxing any tight muscles surrounding a person’s airways. Commonly used quick-relief asthma medications include short-acting beta agonists (inhaled), long-acting muscarinic antagonists (inhaled), and combination quick relievers which combine both the short-acting and long-acting medications.
Use of Asthma Medications
While medicine is a great support and relief treatment for people suffering from asthma, usually a full asthma treatment plan includes avoiding asthma triggers. Often times the amount of medicine needed for treatment will change over time. Often a person will take more of an asthma medicine during initial treatment to get the asthma under control. After a person’s asthma is well controlled, often medication can be reduced over time, with consistent monitoring and check ups.
Though asthma is considered a chronic and un-curable condition, treatment can vary in accordance with frequency and severity of a person’s symptoms. For instance, if a person has what is known as seasonal allergy, medications may only be needed when certain pollens are present. However, asthma is more often not that specific, so a lot of people who have asthma take some kind of asthma medicine regularly.
Asthma Medicine and Sleep
For many people with asthma, symptoms will often present at night. It is common for those with asthma to experience waking up with symptoms like wheezing or coughing. Asthma controller medicines taken regularly can help control these symptoms.
Allergies to mold and dust mites present in some bedding materials can cause asthma, as well so pillow and mattress encasements can help minimize these asthma inducing allergens. Dehumidifiers and air filters in the bedroom can also be helpful in minimizing nighttime asthma symptoms.
Asthma Medicine and Exercise
For exercise induced asthma, typically the quick-relievers which can be used before (as well as during) exercise can help control symptoms. Many professional (and even Olympic) athletes are able to succeed even asthma because of these kinds of medications.
Asthma Medicine and Side Effects
Technically all medications, including asthma medications, do have side effects. Consulting with the doctor often and regularly is the best bet for controlling asthma with minimal medication and minimal side effects.