Different Types Of Asthma Medications

Affecting about 15% of world population, Asthma is chronic disease that cannot be completely cured. However, with the help of medication and precaution, you can gain considerable control over this ailment. Asthma affects the lungs by hindering the oxygen supply within it. The airways of an asthmatic person are obstructed during an attack, as a result one may cough persistently, give out the sound of wheezing, feel tightness in the chest or grow breathless. It is generally believed that asthma is triggered by many environmental conditions or substances. For example, smoke, cold or warm air, chemical, animals, pollen, perfumes etc. can trigger an attack. Exposure to these substances may also worsen the condition of the asthmatic by doing permanent damage to his respiratory system.

Although asthmatic can be mild or severe, chronic or periodic, you must stay away from the triggers of asthma. This is because it is believed to be the best and most effective solution to avert the attacks. However, this does not imply that you do not need to take any medication. In fact, drugs play an important role to control asthma and minimize its symptoms and attacks.

In this regard, there are two broad categories of asthma medications, which have many types of drugs. Some medications are dedicated to give instant relief and are to be used during an attack while the others are designed to control or avert the attacks in the long run.

The short-term drugs are often referred to as relievers or rescue medications, as they relieve the person when he struggling to breathe. They help the patient by soothing the airways and allowing the entrance of air into the lungs easily. Thus, they act as lifesavers during asthma attacks. The other types of asthma medication do not give immediate relief but work by stopping the long term worsening of this disease. They help to lessen the occurrence of attacks and minimize the symptoms. These asthma medications are to be taken regularly in consultation with your doctor to gain control over this ailment. The effects of these drugs are also observed after a few weeks not immediately.

Some asthma medications include human hormones, which are used to treat asthma. These are steroids including adrenaline and hydrocortisone. These steroids are used in emergencies and are pumped into your bloodstream. Being steroids, they give immediate relief and are effective in severe asthma attacks. Epinephrine based asthma medicines give instant relief from breathing problem. Besides, cortisones are another asthma medication that is produced by adrenal glands. They are also a rescue medication, which helps to lessen the inflammation in the respiratory tract. Bronchodilator is another asthma medicine that helps to soothe the muscles in the airways. Inhalers are also greatly used for quick or long-term relief of asthma symptoms.

Apart from these medications, some herbal medications are also greatly used to control asthma. Herbal medications are useful for those asthmatics who not want to take the risk of any side effects, which are bundled together with synthetic drugs.