Asthma is of two types: allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma. Allergic asthma surfaces when the individual is exposed to some allergens, and it triggers asthmatic attacks. Non-allergic asthma is triggered by certain bodily reactions towards stress, heightened emotions, illnesses, or extreme weather conditions. Though asthma is triggered by certain environmental factors or allergens present in the atmosphere, susceptible genes are also responsible for contracting asthma. Asthma is a grave condition since there are no permanent treatment solutions for the same. However, this doesn’t mean that the individual has to suffer throughout his life. Seeking the right kind of medication and adhering to the precautionary measures can help people coexist with this formidable ailment.
As mentioned earlier, asthma is triggered due to our genetic anomalies or due to environmental factors. However, before the person experiences a full-fledge asthmatic attack, they show symptoms of the same. Persistent coughing or wheezing, tightness in the chest, difficulty in breathing after running or exercising, difficulty in breathing while sleeping, etc. are some of the common symptoms of asthma. As soon as the individual starts displaying these symptoms, it is advisable to avail immediate medical help. Though asthma cannot be completely cured, there are different treatment methods that can help the individual curb the intensity of the asthmatic attacks.
Though there are various treatment methods for asthma, they are all prolonged treatment methods because asthma cannot be cured completely. These treatment methods are engineered to give short-term as well as long-term relief. Therefore, here are some of the effective asthma treatment methods.
Asthma inhalers are the quickest and easiest ways to get the medicines to the system. There are two types of inhalers that people with asthma use—The metered dose inhaler (MDI) and dry powder inhaler (DPI). These inhalers are of different types: certain inhalers deliver a single medication, while others are capable of delivering two different medications at a time.
The nebulizer is a device with a mask or a mouthpiece and is known to turn the medicines into vapors, thereby, making inhaling the medicines an easier task. These are mostly used by children and older adults who aren’t comfortable using smaller inhalers.
Anti-inflammatory drugs, especially the steroids that can be inhaled, are deemed to be lifesavers when it comes to treating people with asthma. These medicines, when inhaled, is instrumental in reducing the swelling and the production of mucus, which, in turn, helps in averting a possible asthma attack. Also, these medications are known to reduce the airways’ sensitivity towards asthma triggers.
A person has an asthma attack when the airways become narrower and when inflammation sets in. Bronchodilators are credited with reducing the severity of the asthma attacks by helping the muscles around the airways to relax since they tend to tighten around these airways. These bronchodilators, also known as rescue inhalers, are instrumental in relieving the different symptoms of asthma such as wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath. However, irrespective of how effective bronchodilators are, it is not advisable to use it as a daily medication. If you must use it as a part of your daily medication, it implies that you need to consult your doctor sooner than later.
There are instances where asthma is triggered as a collateral damage of a malfunctioning immune system or if asthma surfaces when the individual comes in contact with certain allergens. In such cases, the patients are administered immunomodulator. Immunomodulators are injections that are given when the person suffers from asthma attacks brought on by allergies or inflammation caused by the immune system.
Contrary to the corticosteroids that can be inhaled, oral corticosteroids are consumed in the form of a pill or as a liquid. These medicines are administered to people who do not react favorably to the other asthma medicines. This is usually considered to be a long-term therapy for people who have asthma.
Beta-agonists is a kind of medicine that is often used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids. These medicines are instrumental in relaxing the muscles around the airways, thereby allowing the individual to breathe easily. There is long-acting beta-agonists and short-acting ones as well. Beta-agonists works wonderfully as a quick-relief treatment method for asthma.
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