Asthma Medications
If you are an asthma patient, you may often be in confusion about the kind of asthma medications to use. However, it shouldn’t be an issue. With the right care from a professional doctor, you will know the right treatment method for you.
There are numerous classes and subtypes of asthma drugs for asthmatic patients, depending on their age, the severity of the condition, and drug side effects. Let’s also find out about asthma classification and nebulizer vs inhaler
Asthma classification:
Asthma is a disease where it feels difficult in able to breathe. This difficulty in breathing is due to the individual’s airways being narrow down or due to the swelling,
Depending upon the symptoms shown by a person asthma can be classified. The asthma classification is given down below:
- Intermittent
- Mild persistent
- Moderate persistent
- Severe persistent
The asthma medication might differ according to asthma classification.
Here are some options for asthma medication
Asthma intensity changes over time and you may need to be checked regularly by your doctor. It will determine whether you will need medication adjustment, depending on the severity of your condition.
Medication types for asthma patients
- Medications to control asthma for a long time: This type of medication should be taken regularly. It manages attacks and severe symptoms. Medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, and Leukotriene prevent attacks, hence; they are the most preferred by patients.
- Rescue medications: These are quick-relief medications need for the rapid response of asthma symptoms. They prevent and treat asthma attacks. These medications are short-acting beta-agonists like Ipratropium and oral and intravenous corticosteroids.
- Allergy-induced asthma medicines: These are taken regularly to minimize your body’s sensitivity vulnerability when it comes to a specific element causing the allergy. Allergy-induced asthma medication includes allergy shots.
- Biologics: This is another type of medication taken regularly to reduce allergen sensitivity. Such medication includes; Omalizumab (Xolair), Mepolizumab (Nucala), Benralizumab, and more.
Long-lasting control medications
Asthmatic patients need long-term medication taken daily no matter the severity of their symptoms. For instance, inhaled corticosteroids are long-term medications that reduce the swelling and tightening of the airways. Using inhaled corticosteroids takes some time before you feel their maximum benefit. Some of these medicines include; Budesonide, Mometasone, and Ciclesonide, among others.
Maximizing the use of asthma medications
The best way to manage asthma is to monitor the symptoms and the side effects of the medication you are using. This way, you will be able to adjust your treatment in a way that will keep your symptoms under check. If you are taking any long-term control medication, discuss with your doctor its side effects, and if it’s managing your attacks. It helps get a proper plan to deal best with your condition. Also, your doctor will detect any emergency when and adjust your medication if needed.
Oral corticosteroids for severe asthma bouts
These medications include prednisone and Methylprednisolone. They treat serious attacks and they come with uncomfortable short-term side effects, especially if taken for a prolonged period. You may get cataracts, losing bones (osteoporosis), muscle degeneration, and more. For children, their growth will slow down.
Asthma is a condition that narrows and swells your airways, which results in extra mucus. There are various asthma treatment options like discussed above, but get proper advice and prescription from your doctor on the medication that suits you. Many asthmatic patients use inhalers for long-term use, while others buy clenbuterol as a decongestant and bronchodilator to make their breathing easier. Ensure all drugs you take are prescribed by a professional doctor, so you don’t suffer from undesirable side effects of self-prescription.
Nebulizer vs inhaler:
Some people prefer nebulizers while some prefer inhalers. Let’s find about Nebulizer vs inhaler.
Nebulizers are the devices that help to turn liquid asthma medication into an easily inhaled mist. The power they use can be either electrical or battery. They are portable devices to carry.
Liquid medicine is converted into a mist by the air compressor and the mist travels through a tube that connects to a mouthpiece. This delivery method is particularly helpful for very young children.
Inhalers are devices that deliver asthma medication. A metered-dose inhaler is the most common type of inhaler. It is also known as MDI. They are small handheld and portable devices which you can carry easily.
MDI is used with spacers so that asthma medication is effectively administered by the patient. Without a spacer, the inhaler is often incorrectly used.
