Anti-Asthmatic Drugs are medicines
that treat or prevent asthma attacks.
Purpose
For people with Asthma, the simple act of breathing can be a struggle.
Their airways become inflamed and blocked with mucus during asthma attacks,
narrowing the opening through which air passes. This is not such a problem
when the person breathes in, because the airways naturally expand when a
person takes a breath. The real problem arises when the person with asthma
tries to breathe out. The air cannot get out through the blocked airways, so
it stays trapped in the lungs. With each new breath, the person can take in
only a little more air, so breathing becomes shallow and takes more and more
effort.
Asthma attacks can be caused by allergies to pollen, dust, pets or other
things, but people without known allergies may also have asthma. Exercise,
stress, intense emotions, exposure to cold, certain medicines and some
medical conditions also can bring on attacks.
The two main approaches to dealing with asthma are avoiding substances and
situations that trigger attacks and using medicines that treat or prevent
the symptoms. With a combination of the two, most people with asthma can
find relief and live normal lives.
Description
Three types of drugs are used in treating and preventing asthma attacks:
- Bronchodilators relax the smooth muscles that line the
airway. This makes the airways open wider, letting more air pass through
them. These drugs are used mainly to relieve sudden asthma attacks or to
prevent attacks that might come on after exercise. They may be taken by
mouth, injected or inhaled.
- Corticosteroids block the inflammation that narrows the
airways. Used regularly, these drugs will help prevent asthma attacks.
Those attacks that do occur will be less severe. However,
corticosteroids cannot stop an attack that is already underway. These
drugs may be taken by mouth, injected or inhaled.
- Cromolyn also is taken regularly to prevent asthma attacks
and may be used alone or with other asthma medicines. It 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.
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