Anti-Asthmatic Drugs are medicines that are used to treat or prevent
asthma attacks. Asthma medicines play a vital role in gaining good control
of asthma. They are available in the form of sprays, pills, powders, liquids
and shots.
What is Asthma ?
Asthma is a disease that affects the airways that
carry air to and from your lungs. The inside walls of an asthma patient's
airways are inflamed, whcih make the airways extremely sensitive to
irritations. With increased inflammation, the airways become narrower and
the patient faces breathing problem. Asthma attacks can be caused by
allergies to pollen, dust, pets etc. People without known allergies can also
suffer from asthmatic attacks. Exercise, intense emotions, stress, exposure
to cold, certain medicines and some medical conditions also can bring on
attacks.
Types of Athmatic Drugs
There are two main types of medicines for
asthma:
- Bronchodilators: These drugs relax the smooth muscles that
tighten around the airway. The airways thus open wide and more and more
air pass through them. Bronchodilators mainly relieve sudden asthma
attacks. They can be inhaled, injected ot taken by mouth.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: This is the most common type of
treatment for asthmatic patients because they prevent asthma attacks on
an ongoing basis. Some common
anti-inflammatory
are Cromolyn and Corticosteroids. Both the medicines
need to be taken regularly to prevent asthma attacks. They cannot stop
an attack that already has started. The drug works by preventing certain
cells in the body from releasing substances that cause allergic
reactions or asthma symptoms.
Long-Term Asthma Medications
The two main causes of asthma are
airway inflammation and acute bronchoconstriction (constriction of the
airways). Preventing inflammation is the main way to preventing asthma
attacks. Long-term control asthma medicines are needed to be taken on a
regular basis for an extended time period so as to control persistent
asthma. Some popular asthma medications for long term usage include:
- Corticosteroids
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (Mast cell stabilizers)
- Long acting beta-agonists
- Theophylline
- Leukotriene modifiers
- Xolair
All these drugs need to taken with a doctor's preciption.
Non Prescription Asthma Medicines
The most common over-the-counter
or non prescription asthma drugs are Primatene Mist and Bronkaid. They both
work like a bronchodilator and provide only short-term relief but can not
control asthma symptoms or prevent asthma attacks.
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