How Is Asthma Treated?

Introduction

According to the Center for Disease Control, about one out of every four Americans suffer from asthma. It is no wonder then that a quarter of all hospital emergency room visits are related to the disorder. Asthma occurs when the airways swell up. The muscles around the airways may also contract, limiting the amount of air that passes through even further. However, there are a multitude of ways to treat asthma depending on how serious the condition in.

Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Inhaled corticosteroids, are the most common form of asthma treatment. These are administered using a device called an inhaler. Through the inhaler, a person suffering from asthma can get the medicine quickly and directly into the lungs. Once in the respiratory system, the medication works to relieve the inflammation of the tissue around the airways and lungs, allowing you to breathe again.

During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways may also contract and tighten, blocking the airflow. A bronchodilator works by targeting these muscles and forcing them to relax. Bronchodilaters are also usually administered through an inhaler.

Anti-Inflammation drugs and bronchodilaters are usually used as a quick treatment option for asthma attacks. However, for more serious asthma, a daily treatment option may need to be used. Daily treatment, or long-term treatment, usually involves a mixture of both anti-inflammation and bronchodialaters in the same medication. Examples of long-term treatment options include beta-agonists, mast cell stabilizers, Theophylline and Leukotriene. These can come in both pill and inhaler form.