Effective Asthma Attack Treatments
Most of the asthma attack treatments depend upon the age and severity of the symptoms. They also depend upon the cause and type of asthma. Since asthma is a chronic inflammation, the asthma attack treatment continues for a long period. The main goal of the asthma attack treatment is to reduce the symptoms and prevent the asthma attacks. The asthma attack treatment pattern is divided into two parts.
- Controlling the surrounding environment
- Taking medications and herbs for asthma
Controlling the Surrounding Environment
The first part is very simple. Avoid exposure to the things in the environment that may trigger an asthma attack. The people with allergic asthma should avoid exposure to pollens, molds, dust mites or pet dander. The people with exercise-induced asthma should avoid excessive stress or physical exertion. And those with occupational asthma should avoid exposure to chemicals, smoke, paints or gases.
Medications for Asthma Attack Treatment
There are several types of medications used for asthma attack treatment. These medications help by opening up the air passages and relieving the breathing problems. There are two types of medications used for asthma attack treatment.
- Controller medications for asthma attack treatment
- Rescue medications for asthma attack treatment
Most of the people use combination of both the medications. But let your doctor decide, which medication is best for you.
Controller Medications for Asthma Attack Treatment
These medications should be taken for a long-time to control persistent asthma. They help in reducing the inflammation that causes asthma attacks and controlling the chronic asthma symptoms. You have to take these medications everyday even if you don';t have the asthma attacks. Medications coming under this category include:
- Inhaled Corticosteroids: These medications are the most effective medications for asthma attack treatment. These medications work by reducing the inflammation in the airways and decreasing the frequency of asthma attacks. As inhaled corticosteroids deliver medication directly into the airways, they cause very few side-effects as compared to other oral medications. They include Budesonide (Pulmicort), beclomethasone (Beclovent), fluticasone (Flovent) and triamcinolone (Atolone).
- Leukotriene Modifiers: These medications reduce inflammation of the airways by blocking the action of leukotrienes, chemical substances released during an acute asthma attack. They can be used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids for preventing asthma attacks. They include Zafirlukast (Accolate), montelukast (Singulair) and zileuton (Zyflo).
- Long-acting Beta-2 Agonists: These medications work by opening up the constricted airways. Inhaled long-acting beta-2 agonists like Formoterol (Foradil) and salmeterol (Serevent) keep the keep the airways open for at least 12 hours. They not only open the airways but also relax the muscles of the airways making it easier to breathe. But some studies suggest that taking these medications may increase the risk of severe asthma attacks. Therefore it';s better to consult with your doctor before taking these medications.
- Cromolyn: These medications are especially useful for the people with exercise-induced asthma or allergic asthma. These medications can prevent the release of chemicals causing asthma attacks. These medications may prevent mild or moderate asthma attacks but are not found effective for everyone.
- Methylxanthines: These medications are found effective in treating nocturnal asthma. These medications are chemically related to caffeine. Previously they were used most commonly in asthma attack treatments. But now days, because of the negative effects that caffeine has on health, these medications are not used frequently. They include Aminophylline and theophylline.
Rescue Medications for Asthma Attack Treatment
Rescue medications are taken for controlling asthma attacks for a short time. These are taken when you are more likely to have an attack or when the attack has already begun. Medications coming under this category include:
- Short-acting Beta-2 Agonists: These are most commonly used rescue medications that open the airways within minutes and the effects last 4 to 6 hours. Albuterol (Ventolin) is the most commonly used short-acting beta-2 agonist medication.
- Anticholinergics: These medications are also taken for getting immediate relief from asthma attacks. Inhaled anticholinergics open the airways in the same way as beta-agonists do, but they a take a little more time. The effect remains for a long time. For greater effect, anticholinergics are often taken in combination with beta-agonists. Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) is the most commonly used inhaled anticholinergic.
Whichever asthma attack treatment you take, always take an advise of your health care provider as he knows you better.