In the United States, 25 million people suffer from asthma. There are 20 million grownups and 5 million kids in this number. Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing are all symptoms of an asthma attack. The severity of the symptoms ranges from barely noticeable to potentially fatal. Unfortunately, asthma cannot be healed at this time. However, with proper asthma therapy, the condition can be controlled.
Additionally, self-care strategies play a crucial role in managing stress and anxiety, which can have an impact on asthma symptoms. By adopting natural techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, individuals can complement their asthma management efforts and lead healthier lives.
Common types of asthma medications
Asthma treatments can be broken down into four categories. Each one addresses a specific aspect of asthma:
Bronchodilator inhalers
To alleviate asthma symptoms, bronchodilators unwind and open the airways. Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing are alleviated. There are both fast-acting and slow-acting bronchodilators.
Quick-relief drugs are also recommended by doctors to reduce the risk of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Some people get symptoms of asthma when they exercise. Asthma sufferers can avoid exercise-related symptoms by using their quick-relief inhaler 15 to 20 minutes beforehand.
Beta2-agonists include both short- and long-acting bronchodilators. They can provide symptom relief for as long as 12 hours.
Anti-inflammatory asthma medications
Anti-inflammatory drugs work well to treat inflammation and swelling in the airways. This reduces mucus production and keeps asthma attacks from happening. Consider seeking resources like a free Advair coupon to save on medication costs. Remember that you might not see changes right away, but if you keep using it as directed, you’ll get the best benefits. Differentiate between corticosteroids used to treat asthma and illegal anabolic steroids used for weightlifting. Corticosteroids are safe and commonly recommended.
Medication combinations
Two different medications are combined into one convenient pill or capsule. The devices may have a LABA and a corticosteroid in them to treat inflammation. A LABA and a LAMA (long-acting muscarinic antagonist) may also be present. (LAMAs are anticholinergic drugs that ease chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and sputum production. Although a select few LAMAs have been licensed for the treatment of asthma, the vast majority are used to treat COPD.
Modulators of Leukotrienes
Oral leukotriene modifiers are drugs that prevent leukotrienes from doing their job. Medications like montelukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton are commonly used to modify leukotrienes. Chemicals called leukotrienes play a role in immunological responses. The airways become inflamed, swollen, and constricted as a result of these reactions. You can get them in a granular, chewable, or tablet form.
Asthma attacks and other abrupt symptoms shouldn’t be treated with leukotriene modifiers. Before beginning treatment with montelukast, it is important to discuss the risks of doing so with your doctor. Keep an eye out for any unwanted effects throughout therapy.
Biologics
The allergic inflammation and bronchoconstriction that biologics treat are the result of the targeting of specific cells and pathways. Instead of just masking symptoms, this drug gets to the root of the problem. Preventing symptoms from ever occurring is the main focus.
In cases of severe asthma, biologics are often used as an adjunctive therapy. In most cases, doctors will inject or infuse them into a patient once every two to four weeks. Asthma episodes are not treated with biologics.