Asthma Healing

Asthma medication plays a key role in gaining good control of your asthma. Asthma is a chronic (lifelong) disease that involves inflammation of the airways superimposed with recurrent episodes of decreased airflow, mucus production, and cough. Choosing the proper asthma medication is crucial in avoiding asthma attacks and living an active life.

Treatment with asthma medication focuses on:

• Taking asthma medication that controls inflammation and prevents chronic symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness at night, in the early morning, or after exertion (long-term control medications)
• Providing asthma medication to treat asthma attacks when they occur (quick-relief asthma medication)
• Avoiding asthma triggers
• Monitoring daily asthma symptoms in an asthma diary
• Monitoring peak flows with daily asthma tests

There are two general types of asthma medication which can give you long-term control or quick relief of symptoms.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs. This is the most important type of therapy for most people with asthma because these asthma medications prevent asthma attacks on an ongoing basis. Steroids, also called "corticosteroids," are an important type of anti-inflammatory medication for people suffering from asthma. These asthma medications reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers.
• Bronchodilators. These asthma medications relieve the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. This action rapidly opens the airways, letting more air come in and out of the lungs. As a result, breathing improves. Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily.

These asthma medications can be administered in different ways to help control asthma. Successful treatment should allow you to live an active and normal life. If your asthma symptoms are not in good control, you should contact your doctor for advice and look at a different asthma medication that may work best for you. 

NOTE: A newer asthma medication, called Xolair, works by inhibiting the allergic reaction that often causes constriction of the airways. It works by blocking proteins in the immune system from becoming activated, an underlying cause of allergic asthma symptoms.

Long-Term Control Asthma Medications: Treating the Inflammation

Doctors and asthma specialists recognize that asthma has two main components: airway inflammation and acute bronchoconstriction (constriction of the airways). Research has shown that reducing and preventing further inflammation is the key to preventing asthma attacks, hospitalizations and death from asthma.

Long-term control asthma medications are taken daily over an extended period of time to achieve and maintain control of persistent asthma (asthma that causes symptoms more than twice a week and frequent attacks that affect activity).

The most effective long-term control asthma medications are those that stop airway inflammation (anti-inflammatory drugs), but there are others that are often used along with anti-inflammatory drugs to enhance their effect.

Long-term control asthma medications include:

• Corticosteroids (The inhaled form is the anti-inflammatory drug of choice for persistent asthma.)
• Mast cell stabilizers (anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Long acting beta-agonists (bronchodilators often used along with an anti-inflammatory drug)
• Theophylline (a bronchodilator used along with an anti-inflammatory drug to prevent nighttime symptoms)
• Leukotriene modifiers (an alternative to steroids and mast cell stabilizers)
• Xolair (an injectable asthma medication used when inhaled steroids for asthma failed to control asthma symptoms in people with moderate to severe asthma who also have allergies)

Quick-Relief Asthma Medications: Stopping the Asthma Attack

These asthma medications are used to provide prompt relief of asthma attack symptoms (cough, chest tightness and wheezing -- all signs of airway bronchoconstriction).

They include:

• Short acting beta-agonists (bronchodilators that are the drug of choice to relieve asthma attacks and prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms)
• Anticholinergics (bronchodilators used in addition to short-acting beta-agonists when needed or as an alternative to these drugs when needed)
• Systemic corticosteroids (an anti-inflammatory drug used in an emergency to get rapid control of the disease while initiating other treatments and to speed recovery)

Inhalers, Nebulizers, and Pills as Asthma Medications

Asthma medications can be either inhaled, using a metered dose inhaler, dry powder inhaler, or a nebulizer, or taken orally, either in pill or liquid form. A newer type asthma medication called Xolair is given by injection just under the skin.

Some asthma medications can be taken together. There are some inhalers that contain a combination of two different medications. These devices allow both medications to be delivered from one device, shortening treatment times and decreasing the number of inhalers needed to treat asthma symptoms.

Theophylline

Theophylline is another type of bronchodilator that is used to control symptoms of asthma, but it is not delivered in an asthma inhaler. Theophylline is sold under the brand names Uniphyl, Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, and Theo-24 and is available as an oral (pill and liquid) or intravenous (through the vein) drug. Theophylline is long-acting and prevents asthma attacks. Theophylline is used to treat difficult-to-control or severe asthma and must be taken daily.

Side effects of theophylline include:

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomachache
• Headache
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Muscle cramps
• Jittery or nervous feeling
• Hyperactivity

These side effects may also be a sign of having taken too much medication. Your doctor will check your blood levels of the medication to make sure you are receiving the proper amount.

Always tell your doctors if you take theophylline for asthma because certain medications, such as antibiotics containing erythromycin, seizure medicine and ulcer medicine can interfere with the way theophylline works. Also, make sure your doctor knows about any other medical conditions you may have, since some diseases and illnesses can change how your body responds to theophylline.

And keep in mind that not only is smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke especially dangerous for those with asthma, but smoking can also interfere with how your body responds to theophylline. Therefore, it is best to avoid smoke when possible.

Are There Over-the-Counter Asthma Medications?

Yes. The most common over-the-counter asthma medications are Primatene Mist and Bronkaid. They both work like a bronchodilator, relaxing the muscles around the airways. They provide short-term relief (20-30 minutes), but do not control asthma symptoms or prevent asthma attacks. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, or heart disease should not take Primatene Mist or Bronkaid.

Unfortunately, many people misuse or overuse these asthma treatments. The over-the-counter medications are not meant for long-term use, yet some people use them every day to relieve asthma symptoms. Because they do not control asthma, people who take them may not be receiving proper treatment of their asthma.

If you are using an over-the-counter asthma medication and are still experiencing frequent asthma symptoms, talk to your doctor. And if you are taking prescribed asthma medications but are using over-the-counter medications occasionally, tell your doctor this as well. You do not want to be taking more medicine than you need.

Can Allergy Shots Be Used to Treat Asthma?

Some recent studies have shown that when you give allergy shots (immunotherapy) to children with allergies, not only do their allergy symptoms improve, but they are also less likely to develop asthma. Also, since many cases of asthma are triggered by allergies, it makes sense that if you control the allergies, you will have fewer asthma attacks.

Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for allergy shots.

How Frequently Will I Have to Take Asthma Medicines?

Asthma can't be cured. How often you need to take your asthma medication depends on how severe your asthma is and how frequently you have symptoms. For example, if your asthma symptoms occur only during the time of the year when your allergies act up, then you may only have to take medications to control your symptoms during that time. However, this is somewhat unusual, and most people with asthma need to take medications every daily.

Asthma Medication Guidelines

Asthma medications are the foundation of good asthma control. Learn all you can about your medications. Know what medications are included in your asthma action plan, when these medications should be taken, their expected results, and what to do when they fail. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:

• Never run out of asthma medications. Call your pharmacy or doctor's office at least 48 hours before running out of asthma medication. Know your pharmacy phone number, prescription numbers, and medication names and doses so that you can easily call for refills.
• Refer to your asthma action plan when deciding how or when to use asthma medications. This plan is designed so you achieve the best possible asthma control. Make sure you understand and can follow the plan.
• Wash your hands prior to preparing or taking asthma medications.
• Take your time. Double-check the name and dosage of all your asthma medications before using them.
• Keep your asthma medications stored according to the instructions given with the prescription.
• Check liquid medications often. If they have changed color or formed crystals, throw them away and get new ones.
• Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Some medications can affect the actions of your asthma medications when taken together.Most asthma medications are very safe. However, side effects can occur and vary depending on the medication and dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to describe medication side effects. Report any unusual or severe side effects to your doctor immediately.
• Most asthma medications are very safe. However, side effects can occur and vary depending on the medication and dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to describe medication side effects. Report any unusual or severe side effects to your doctor immediately.