Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness in the chest. These are all common Asthma symptoms.
Asthma is an illness that affects millions of children worldwide and, in many cases, it can carry through to adulthood. Adults can also develop asthma even though they didn’t suffer from it as children. It’s a strange illness. It’s part of the allergy basket but no one knows exactly what causes it and it has no cure. The only way to live with asthma is through long term medication.
So what exactly is asthma and how does it affect you?
Asthma is a condition where the airways of the lungs become narrow or swollen. It causes less oxygen to get to the lungs and this is when sufferers experience shortness the above mentioned side effects.
Asthma sufferers can live a normal healthy life. Some may suffer from symptoms daily and some may experience rare episodes and attacks.
What brings on an Asthma attack?
Anything from dust mites and air pollution to tobacco smoke, pet allergies and mold can bring on an Asthma attack. Other triggers can include the flu, chest or sinus infections, acid reflux, scented candles, exercise, humid weather and even breathing in cold air. A reaction to medication, food additives and fragrances can also affect asthma sufferers.
The low-down on Asthma medications
Typically there are 2 classes of drugs used to treat asthma. These 2 classes treat different issues associated with Asthma.
- Bronchodilators are drugs that open the airways so that more oxygen can get in. These are short acting drugs that open the airways for a limited time and provide immediate relief of symptoms. They do not prevent future attacks and do not reduce the severity of the disease. The most used Bronchodilators drugs include Albuterol (Ventolin), Ipatropium Bromide (Atrovent) and Terbutaline (Bricanyl). Â Click on the drug link to find out about specific uses and side effects of Ventolin, Atrovent and Bricanyl.
- The second class of drug prescribed to treat Asthma belongs to the steroid family. Steroids treat asthma by reducing the swelling, severity and frequency of the attacks. They do not provide immediate relief from attacks like the Bronchodilators do. The most used steroid drugs include Beclometasone (Pulmicort) and Qvar, and Fluticasine (Flovent). Click on the drug link to find out about specific uses and side effects of Pulmicort, Qvar and Flovent.
- Quick acting medications like Albuterol are not a long term treatment, you need to be on a long acting preventer and you need to be on corticosteroids to reduce severity and frequency.
- Always wash your mouth out after taking drugs containing steroids. This will help prevent fungal infections of the mouth and airways.
- Carry your preventer around with you so that you always have access to live saving medications
- Tell your friends and family that you suffer from asthma and wear an asthma bracelet or medical ID- this will help emergency teams know what condition you have and what medications you are on
- From personal experience long term therapy with steroids can cause heartburn and GERD, it is recommended to use a drug like Nexium or Prilosec if you suffer from symptoms of excess stomach acid due to inhaled steroid use.