Asthma is associated with breathlessness, wheezing, and coughing. Though asthma is believed not to be cured, you can always control it.
You can stop the progression of disease by a combination of good asthma medication, adjustments in diet and a few precautions.
Asthma medication includes a variety of drugs and medicines. You can take asthma medication along with any herbal treatment or home remedies. The medicines will reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Since treatment alone can not control asthma, a combination of regulated diet, medicines, and some precautions should be able to control the disease.
Asthma medication is mostly used to prevent inflammation, thus reducing the negative effects of the condition and reducing chances for asthma attacks. The two basic types of asthma medications are as below.
This medication helps you control the disease. You should take this medication daily for an extended period of time. Though asthma may not be able to be controlled completely, you can control it if the treatment is carried our consciously and continuously. The frequency of asthma attacks will go on decreasing when the proper asthma medication is used. The common asthma treatment options include taking anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators.
Many asthma medicines that you take for immediate relief are good to deal with asthma attacks as well. You should take care of following points regarding asthma medication.
- Always consult your doctor if you are taking any other types of medication that has not been prescribed by your doctor. Some medicines may interfere with your prescribed medicines thus worsening your asthma situation.
- Always wash your hands before taking asthma medicines.
- Carefully see the expiry date of all medicines when you purchase.
- Store the asthma drugs according to given instructions, for example in refrigerator, if required.
- Ask your doctor about any side effects of prescribed medicines. Also ask for any additional medicines if you may need to take to counter those side effects.
- Take precautions about your diet and avoid such foods that may cause allergy.
- Ensure that sufficient supply of medication is available to you.
Apart from drugs, you should use the following devices to deal with an unprecedented attack.
Inhalers contain a gas that you can use to have required dose of medication. When you press its top, the asthma medicine is propelled and you inhale it into your airways. When your doctor recommends it, understand carefully how to use it effectively. Generally, inhalers are of two types – Relievers and Preventers.
The purpose of a reliever is to treat your symptoms.
Relievers are of two kinds. The short-acting relievers, also known as bronchodilators contain certain medicines that work to widen your airways and ease your symptoms, quickly. If you have been using steroids and even using short-acting relievers are not effective, use a long-acting reliever. These contain more effective asthma medicines that can provide you immediate relief as well as long term relief.
The purpose of a preventer is to prevent your asthma symptoms. You are required to use these daily so that you can prevent the asthma symptoms. Preventers usually contain a steroid medicine that work to reduce the inflammation of your airways. The side-effects of using preventers are not common when you take normal doses, though occasionally, you may feel some sore throat. When you start having preventers, it takes around four to six weeks before you see the effects. However, once the dose sets in properly, and if you take it regularly, you may not require using reliever inhaler.
A spacer is a long tube that you can use so as to use your inhaler correctly. One end of spaced is fit on top of your inhaler and the other end has a mouthpiece to breathe in and out of. If you can not use inhaler properly, use a spacer and learn to use it from your doctor. Another advantage of using a spacer is that it reduces the risk of getting a sore throat that you may get while using a steroid inhaler.
Nebulisers can help you inhale more asthma medicine as compared to conventional inhalers. A nebuliser makes a mist of water and medicine that you breathe in, and are more useful in moderate to severe asthma attacks. You can get a nebuliser at home so that you can sue it in case of an attack.
Asthma medication is only one of the ways to control the disease. For effective treatment, you need support of people around you so that the allergy causing substances are not introduced around you. Keep yourself away from allergens to lead a normal life.
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