Clinic Care Shop

Asthma Medications

14th February, 2009 - Posted by Careless -

There are many things that can be the cause of an asthma attack. Doctors treat asthma differently based on the patient and the severity of the asthma. There are different types of medication for asthma which include steroids, bronchodilators, cromolyn, and inhibitors.
If you are emotionally upset while you are decorating the artificial Christmas trees then it could very well send you into an asthma attack. When you have asthma it is very important that the people you are with know it and that you carry medication with you at all times in case you do have an asthma attack. Whether you are walking the streets enjoying the Christmas trees and the lighted palm trees or you are indoors, you should always be prepared for an attack. Without your medication you could die.

Steroids are usually inhaled when they are given to a patient for asthma. They are the most common form of treatment for asthma. They work by decreasing inflammation, swelling of the airways and helping the lungs if they are irritated. When using steroids they also help decrease the sensitivity levels that cause asthma attacks. If steroids cause you to have a hoarse voice then you may need to change medications.

Bronchodilators are the longest lasting medication for asthma symptoms. They offer quick relief and can last up to 12 hours for some people. Bronchodilators can be taken with steroids if they need to be. Patients that have severe asthma that does not respond to the steroid medications may be required to take bronchodilators and steroids both. You also may have to carry a quick relief inhaler on your for immediate results when your asthma flares.

Many people have allergy induced asthma that can be very irritating but easy to treat. Cromolyn is a very effective medication designed to decrease the allergen levels causing inflammation to occur in the airways. Cromolyn is not as effective as steroids but works well. Cromolyn comes in the form of an inhaler also but it needs to be taken up to 4 times a day. The doses of Cromolyn are metered on the inhaler.

Inhibitors are another common form of treatment for asthma your doctor might recommend. This form of treatment is not in the form of an inhaler but in the form of a ill. The inhibitors decrease inflammation and the swelling of the airways. It also works to decrease the amount of mucus being produced. Inhibitors are also not quite as effective as steroids that are inhaled.

There are many different treatments for asthma that you might consider if you have been diagnosed with this problem. Most of them work in pill form or in an inhaler. The most common methods for treating minor cases include through an inhaler taking steroids. Not all medications have the same effect or last for the same amount of time. What works for a family member may not work for you. You may be required to double up on medications and take a bronchodilator and steroids both.

Article source: http://www.cliniccareshop.com/blog/asthma-medications/