Asthma Allergy

All categories of Asthma & Allergy.

1. Asthma

2. Anti - allergics

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.