Effective Options For Asthma Treatment

Asthma causes the airways to swell, become narrower, and produce excess mucus. Asthma attacks can make it hard to breathe and cause wheezing, coughing, and overall shortness of breath. Some patients have only minor asthma, while others have asthma severe enough to impede daily activities. Asthma attacks can become life-threatening if they're severe. Though asthma isn't a curable condition, the symptoms are controllable through treatment, and asthma can change in presentation over the years. Children who had severe asthma may find their symptoms lessen in adulthood. Conversely, adults might discover their asthma gets worse over time. Individuals with asthma should track their symptoms and work alongside their doctor so they can adjust their treatment plan if necessary.

Speaking of treatment, take a look at the common options available now.

Long-Term Control Medications

The core component of most asthma treatment plans is long-term control medications, typically taken daily. Rather than providing relief during an asthma attack, the medications help reduce the long-term effects of asthma. They decrease the likelihood of having an asthma attack, and when attacks do occur, control medications can lessen their overall severity. Inhaled corticosteroids can be used daily. It may take a few days or weeks before the full benefit of the medication is achieved. Inhaled corticosteroids are safe to use long-term, though oral ones are not. Leukotriene modifiers are oral medications that might be prescribed to relieve symptoms of asthma for a maximum of twenty-four hours. Long-acting beta-agonists are medications that can open constricted airways when inhaled, but since they may increase attack risk, they should be combined with an inhaled corticosteroid. To get both medications at once, combination inhalers provide both an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist. Another option is theophylline, a daily pill that relaxes the muscles surrounding the airways to help keep them open.

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Inhalers For Quick Relief

Even with a long-term treatment plan to reduce overall symptoms, patients may still experience asthma flareups. Allergens like dust, dry and cold air, pollutants, and chemicals can all lead to an increase in symptoms. Many doctors will prescribe inhalers for quick relief. These inhalers provide fast-acting and short-term symptom alleviation. In addition to relief from flareups, doctors might recommend using an inhaler before exercising depending on the patient's history. Short-acting beta-agonists are bronchodilators that provide quick relief when inhaled. Patients can take short-acting beta-agonists through a hand-held inhaler or a nebulizer, which converts the medication into an easily-inhaled mist. Another bronchodilator that may be used is ipratropium. This medication is chiefly used for chronic bronchitis and emphysema, but it can sometimes be prescribed for asthma attacks as well. It's important to note patients shouldn't be relying on their inhaler, so if they find themselves using it often, they should talk to their doctor to adjust their long-term treatment plan.

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Oral And Intravenous Corticosteroids

Oral and intravenous corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone and prednisone, are quick-relief medications, but they shouldn't be used on a long-term or regular basis. These types of medications aren't typically used for mild asthma symptoms. However, patients with severe asthma can benefit from the reduction in airway inflammation. If symptoms get severe enough to require intravenous or oral corticosteroid use, it's a definite sign the overall treatment plan needs adjusting. One study indicated in patients admitted to the hospital for severe asthma, both intravenous and oral corticosteroids had about the same effect. There weren't any measured or significant differences in the effectiveness of treatment or the length of the hospital stays. The risk of side effects from corticosteroids is high since they affect the whole body. Patients might experience elevated pressure in their eyes, high blood pressure, abnormal fluid retention and swelling of the legs, issues with mood and memory, and weight gain. Long-term corticosteroid use can lead to even more health issues like suppression of the adrenaline gland, thinning bones, increased infection risks, and high blood sugar.

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Allergy Shots

Allergy medications like allergy shots can be helpful if allergens worsen a patient's asthma or trigger attacks. Allergy shots are injections that slowly familiarize the immune system with an allergen, which reduces the immune system's response to that allergen. However, no shot can cure allergies in one dose, and some individuals may find the regimen too demanding and decide not to finish it. With that said, the benefits can far outweigh the risks if patients have moderate to severe asthma symptoms influenced by allergies. The duration of the treatment plan may vary from person to person. For most, shots are administered once weekly for a certain number of months. After that, the injections are given once monthly for the next three to five years. Omalizumab is another allergy injection specifically developed and formulated for individuals with severe asthma and allergies. It alters the immune system itself. Injections are typically given every two to four weeks.

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Bronchial Thermoplasty

A bronchial thermoplasty is used to treat severe cases of asthma. The procedure opens the airways by shrinking the muscles in the lungs that contract during asthma attacks. Since the muscles are smaller, their contractions don't cause such severe airway constriction. While the procedure won't cure asthma, it often provides long-term relief from the most serious symptoms. A bronchial thermoplasty is performed in a hospital, and rather than just one treatment, patients will undergo three sessions, typically one every three weeks. The treatment itself takes less than an hour, with each session treating a different portion of the lungs. Patients will be given anesthetic during the treatment, and they might also be given medication to numb the throat and mouth. The doctor will then thread a bronchoscope through the mouth, down the throat, and into the lung. Inside the bronchoscope is a small tube that warms the airway in that portion of the lung, causing the muscles to shrink.