Treatment methods for Asthma

Once an individual has been diagnosed with asthma, a physician will develop an asthma action plan to help the patient monitor the condition. A typical plan will contain the following elements:

• A list of specific symptoms that often precede an individual’s asthma attacks
  
  
• Steps to take during an attack
  
  
• How to recognize a serious attack, and what to do about it
  
  
• How to recognize an emergency
  
  
• Changes in environment and behavior that can reduce the chances of an asthma flare–up

Current asthma treatment focuses primarily on preventing or reducing the inflammation process, and relaxing the smooth muscle that tightens during bronchospasm. Healthcare professionals use asthma medications with two goals in mind:

1. To keep the airway clear so the patient can breathe normally.
   
   
2. To prevent airway remodeling, a thickening of the bronchial walls that can result from chronic inflammation and lead to permanent damage.

There are two categories of asthma medications:

• Quick-relief medications. Also called “rescue” medications, these are designed to instantly relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack. They are usually not meant to be taken long–term.
  
  
• Long-term-control medications. These are designed to minimize inflammation and prevent asthma flare-ups before they occur. Long-acting beta2 agonists are often used, as well as topical corticosteroids.

Patients with mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma may receive a quick-relief medication to aid them when their asthma flares-up. Those with moderate or severe asthma are more likely to need both quick-relief and long-term-control medications.

Asthma drugs can be delivered either in pill form or through an inhaler or nebulizer, which allows the drug to travel directly to the bronchial tubes while minimizing the effect on the rest of the body.

Bronchodilators are the primary class of medications used to treat asthma. These widen a person’s airways by relaxing the bronchial smooth muscle. Short-acting bronchodilators (such as beta2 agonists) provide immediate relief of asthma symptoms. Long-acting bronchodilators (which include long-acting beta2 agonists) relieve symptoms for longer periods of time and are used once in the morning, and once at night.

It is important not to overuse these medications. Such abuse can make an asthmatic condition worse and possibly even increase the risk of death from asthma.

Other asthma medications stop an asthma attack before it starts by preventing the bronchial inflammation that constricts airways and hampers breathing. These drugs include:

• Corticosteroids. Medications similar to the body’s own hormones. They prevent the inflammation associated with asthma attacks.
  
  
• Leukotriene modifiers. Medications that inhibit the role of leukotrienes, which are a type of chemical involved in an asthma attack. They may be taken daily or several times a day to prevent an asthma attack from occurring.
  
  
• Mast cell stabilizers. Medications that prevent mast cells from triggering reactions that can lead to an asthma attack or allergic reaction. This class of drug is rarely prescribed.

Click here to see the Bronchodilators.