A chronic lung disease, Asthma is defined by the National Heart, Lung
and Blood Institute as "a common chronic disorder of the airways that is
complex and characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction,
bronchial hyperresponsiveness (bronchospasm), and an underlying inflammation".
The interaction of these features of asthma determines the clinical manifestations
and severity of asthma and the response to treatment.
A long-term disease, asthma can be controlled with proper medication.
Many generic drugs are available in all leading drug stores. The disease
is treated with two types of medicines: long-term control and quick-relief
medicines. Long-term control medicines help lessen airway inflammation
and prevent asthma symptoms. Quick-relief, or rescue, medicines relieve
asthma symptoms that may flare up.
In order to control your asthma, you need to work with your doctor to
create and follow an asthma action plan. You should also avoid factors
that can make your asthma flare up. If your asthma symptoms are linked
to allergies, and one can't avoid exposure to those allergens, then the
doctor may advise him/her to get allergy shots for the specific allergens
that bother asthma. Several health conditions can make asthma more difficult
to manage. These conditions include runny nose, sinus infections, reflux
disease, psychological stress, and sleep apnea.
In so far as medication is concerned, doctors usually use a stepwise approach
to prescribing medicines. Your doctor will check to see how well a medicine
works for you. Asthma medicines can be taken in pill form, but most are
taken using a device called an inhaler. An inhaler allows the medicine
to go right to your lungs. Most people who have asthma need to take long-term
control medicines daily to help prevent symptoms. The most effective long-term
medicines reduce airway inflammation.
Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred medicines for long-term control
of asthma, which are the most effective long-term control medicine to relieve
airway inflammation and swelling. Inhaled corticosteroids are generally
safe when taken after prescription. But inhaled corticosteroids can have
some sort of side effects. But the benefits of taking inhaled corticosteroids
and preventing asthma attacks far outweigh the risks of side effects. One
common side effect from inhaled corticosteroids is a mouth infection called
thrush. Other long-term control medicines include: Inhaled long-acting
beta2-agonists, Leukotriene modifiers, Cromolyn and nedocromil, Theophylline.
If your doctor prescribes a long-term control medicine, you should take
it every day to control asthma. Your asthma symptoms will likely return
or get worse if you stop taking your medicine. Long-term control medicines
can also have side effects. You need to talk to your doctor about them
and ways to monitor or avoid them.
For quick relief, you need a quick-relief medicine to help relieve asthma
symptoms that may flare up. Inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists are the
first choice for quick relief. These drugs work quickly to relax tight
muscles around your airways when you have a flareup. This allows the airways
to open up so air can flow through them. Such quick-relief medicine should
be taken when you first notice your asthma symptoms.