Asthma Medication

Asthma Treatments and Asthma Medications

There are several methods of Asthma Treatments along with several Asthma medications such as Singulair, Advair which are Anti-inflammatory medications and are consider one of the best ways to treat asthma. Several people with a “history of asthma” use these “asthma medications” to prevent asthma attacks as a long term solution to asthma. However, these types of Asthma medications contain steroids, also called "corticosteroids," and help prevent asthma attacks as well work well as a form of “Asthma Treatment”.
Medications such as Advair act as a type of anti-inflammatory medication for patients suffering with a history of asthma. These asthma medications containing corticosteroids are intended to reduce swelling in the airways along with reducing mucus production in the airways. The reduction of the swelling helps airways to become less sensitive and less likely to affect Asthma triggers thus being an effective form of asthma treatment.

Bronchodilators are asthma medications are designed as a form of a quick relief treatment of asthma medications designed to relieve the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscles tighten around the airways. The bronchodilators act quickly opening airways by letting more air come in and out of the lungs being an effective form of treating asthma. Of course after this quick fix breathing improves. Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the asthma medications start to work the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily.


Inhaled corticosteroids – Asthma Treatment
These medications obstruct the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body. There are hardly any side effects produced by the inhaled drugs because of their local action in the lung.

Brand Name (Generic)

AeroBid; Bronalide (flunisolide ), Advair (fluticasone + salmeterol)
Azmacort (triamcinolone), Beclovent; Vanceril (beclomethasone)
Flovet (fluticasone)

Long-acting beta2-bronchodilators – Asthma Treatment
Asthma medication causes relaxation of the muscle surrounding the airways. These drugs are slowly vacate the patients body. These effects last approximately about an hour.

Serevent (salmeterol), Foradil (formoterol)

Theophylline bronchodilators – Asthma Treatment
Asthma medication increases relaxation of constricted airways by blocking the action of chemicals that cause contraction of muscles surrounding the airways. Oral, slow-release theophylline drugs are commonly used in asthma maintenance therapy. (A fast-acting intravenous form of theophylline is also available for emergency room treatment of severe asthma episodes.)
Theo-Dur; Theolaire (theophylline)

Oral corticosteroids – Asthma Treatment
These medications block the production or release of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Oral administration of corticosteroids for a prolonged time can produce several undesirable side effects.

Delta-Cortef (prednisolone), Deltasone (prednisone) Medrol; Solu-Medrol (methylprednisone)

Nonsteroidal antiallergics – Asthma Treatments
These medications block the release or action of inflammatory chemicals in the body, thus reducing the symptoms of inflammation, including relief of airway constriction
Intal (cromolyn ),Tilade (nedocromil)

Leukotriene modifiers – Asthma Treatment
These block the production or action of inflammatory chemicals called leukotrienes, thus reducing inflammation, relaxing the airways, and reducing mucus production
Accolate (zafirlukast ), Singulair (montelukast ) Zyflo (zileuton

Quick Asthma Treatment

“Rescue medication for use during an asthma attack”.

Short-acting beta2-bronchodilators – Asthma Treatment
These medications cause the muscle fibers surrounding the airways to relax, thus opening up the narrowed passageways. These drugs are rapidly cleared from the body, therefore, their effects last for a relatively short time (about 3 to 4 hours).

Brethaire; Bricanyl (terbutaline ), Maxair (pirbuterol), Tornalate (bitolterol),
Ventolin; Proventil (albuterol)

Anticholinergic bronchodilators – Asthma Treatment
These medications block the nerve responses that normally cause narrowing of airways. They are commonly used in combination with a beta2-bronchodilator such as albuterol

Atrovent (ipratropium)

Inhalers –Asthma Treatment
Asthma medications that are provided to treat asthma are inhaled. Inhaled medications do not have to be processed in any way by digestive organs in order to start working. Instead, they travel directly to the lungs, produce their effects quickly, and cause relatively few side effects. Several different inhaler devices are available to suit the needs of different people with different kinds of asthma. All of these devices have their own advantages and disadvantages. Below is a basic list of inhaler delivery systems available for adults with asthma are:
Metered-dose inhaler
Metered-dose inhaler with spacer
Dry powder inhaler
Nebulizer

Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI) The medication is contained in a small, pressurized canister that releases a pre-measured or "metered" dose. Most canisters hold around 200 individual doses, but 50-dose and 100-dose inhalers exist for some drugs.
The pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) AKA "puffer" is because the asthma treatment medicine is delivered into the patients or users lungs as small "puffs".
Both preventer Asthma medications and reliever medications can be delivered in puffs to help prevent a sever asthma attack. In relation to “asthma treatment” the metered dose inhaler is one the most widely recognized forms of asthma treatment.

Asthma and Singulair

Allergy medication Side effects

The allergy and "asthma treatment" medication Singulair is used to treat asthma has been accused of "side effects" which can induce suicidal thoughts according to parents whose children suffer from asthma. Athma patients have used the medication "Singular" as a way to treat their asthma and allergies even though they find singulair may have side effects. However, their is not solid documentation that Singulair is the sole reason of suicidal thoughts when being used to treat asthma. Furthermore, many people have raved about how Singular has increased the quality of life especially for asthma patients, for people with a “history of Asthma”. The “side effects of Singular” are still being researched as well as the accusations of suicide for people using singular as part of their asthma treatment. Singulair has been proactive by placing a warning label on each box of singulair as well as, listing side effects for singulair on each box distributed for people using the medication to treat their "Asthma".

Some of the side effects of Singular include issues such as a headache, flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain and cough. Merck the maker of the allergy medicine Singulair said it only recently added reports of suicide to Singulair's warning label, which already listed reports that deal with peoples behaviour as reported in their side-effects. The company of Singulair has updated the drug's label four times in the past year to include information on a range of reported side-effects, which also include tremors, anxiousness and depression. Singular in connection with "asthma treatment" continues to deny that their drug causes suicidal thoughts or death. However, they continued to place labels warning people of issues related to their medication. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, severe swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above Singular suggests patients suffering from asthma and using their medication contact their family doctor or pharmacist.

The biggest side effect of Singular seem to relate to people under age and using Singular as a part of their asthma medication. This seems to fall in the areas of children especially, teenagers and the suicidal deaths related to Singulair after using the medication to treat their asthma. Although there are by far more successes than failures it is still a concern for patients using this medication and parents seeking a safe method of "Asthma Treatment". In addition to the possibilities of singular causing these tendencies some people have complained that allergy and asthma medication may play a role for singulair side effects may be causing Churg Straus Syndrome? Furthermore, with Singular the possibility causing death people for people with allergies and asthma complain about the contents of singular's medication. Singulair's asthma and allergy medication contains ingredients in their 10mg tablets which contain lactose, many asthmatics and allergy prone people have a problem with lactose. The lactose in the allergy and asthma medication could also be the cause to some patients suffering side effects which upsets their stomach.

Although singulair seems to have issues similair drugs can relate or be blamed for some sort of death whether related to suicide of not. Finally, people continue to praise the drugs ability to prevent asthma attacks thus increasing the quality of life for people who have went through an asthma test and now uses Singulair as one of the main components of their asthma treatment. Regardless of the fears of Singulair and suicide there is still much research needed before making final conclusions that Singular pushes people to have these thoughts or that people should stop using the medication Singulair to treat allergies and asthma regardless of Singulairs side effects.

Testing for Asthma

How do doctors test for Asthma before treating asthma?

Some common questions asked when testing for asthma tend to be geared towards questions such as, do you have trouble breathing when you exert your self from doing things such as manual labor or other activities which require physical exertion? If so, is this what caused you seek asthma treatment or seek asthma testing? There are many similar questions used for testing for asthma. Prior to Asthma treatment doctors will ask many questions related to daily activities. Many of the questions are trying to detect if you have issues breathing. Another method for testing for asthma is using X-rays of the chest or an X-ray for the sinuses. However, questions before treating asthma revolve around questions geared towards your difficulty breathing. Additional questions address the following symptoms such as: wheezing, difficulty breathing, coughing or discussing issues like difficulty sleeping because of the symptoms of have you awaken because of wheezing, coughing or difficulty breathing? Common Asthma tests used prior to asthma treating are tests such as, Spirometry, Pulmonary Function Testing. All these tests could be used prior to starting an asthma treatment program if the doctor concludes you have a history of asthma.

Spirometry testing involves a person breathing into a tube to attempt to measure the individual’s lung volumes. Most spirometry tests are conducted in hospitals or doctors offices. The spirometry testing unit is about the size of a laptop with unique card that attaches to a flow sensing device.

Pulmonary Function Testing is more far-reaching spirometry which requires the person being tested to sit in “body box” which is basically a closed booth which provides superior accuracy and provides an assortment of measurements. The point of being in enclosed space is to accurately measure the actual amount of air in your lungs. Otherwise, doctors are only able to measure what you are able exhale. Pulmonary function tests are normally performed by a licensed Respiratory Therapists.A pulmonary function test with methacholine is a challenge is where the patients has been measured using the all the tests and questions described above, and then doctors administer a drug named methacholine which can cause an asthma attack. You would be given a predetermined dosage of methacholine through a special nebulizer increasing dosages until a 20% decrease in lung volume is detected (in order for it be a positive test). A person that does not have Asthma shouldn't react to methacholine. The pulmonary function test with methacholine is one of the more accurate asthma methods for testing for asthma prior to asthma treatment.

Helping your Asthma

Steps to getting help before an Asthma attack

Asthma being a chronic, inflammatory lung disease, it is important to quickly seek out "help for your asthma". Getting help for asthma starts with recognizing the history of your asthma attacks and what triggers these attacks. The individual needs to recognize the subtle symptoms prior to an asthma attack. Some subtle symptoms range from irritability, scratchy throat, dry mouth, or just being tired. If you measure your peak flow on a consistent basis, a tell tale sign you could be heading for an asthma attack is a drop in your peak flow meter reading. You need to identify and recognize your "triggers for asthma" in order to help asthma before an attack occurs. Although, these don’t help you with your asthma they can help you prepare mentally for the possibilities of being faced with an asthma attack.

Seeking out help should always start with your doctor. However, many people not only have to deal with seeking help for their asthma, they have to deal with the monetary side of dealing with Asthma, this Is why prior to seeing your doctor you should contact your insurance company to see what they cover and more importantly what they don’t cover. The simple fact is if your doctor prescribes a medication that you can not afford and your insurance company will not cover you most likelywill not purchase the medicine or take the medicine as perscribed. This also causes unnecessary stress on the individual and does little to help their asthma. It is better to obtain medical coverage information related for helping your asthma before you ever visit your doctor. The point is when you finally sit down with your doctor to discuss the maintenance of your asthma or how to help asthma you will already know what is covered under your insurance.

Questions you should ask your insurance provider prior to visiting your doctor. Is there classes provided to help deal with your Asthma? Does the provider recommend a doctor that specializes in helping asthma patients? If the doctor suggests you purchase a peek flow meter will the insurance cover this cost? What asthma medication does the insurance cover? Will they cover brand name drugs or do they just allow generic medications treating asthma. Will the generic drugs have the same effect to help asthma? What are the generic medications covered by the insurance’s pharmacy? Additionally you will want to know how often I can refill my prescriptions. Does the prescription plan allow you buy 30, 60 or 90 day supplies? The benefit of purchasing your prescriptions based on 90 day supply is the individual only has to worry about purchasing medications 4 times a year. Whether it be singulair,advair or another form of asthma medication it still helps to have a supply available.

To help asthma there are some basic lifestyle steps which can be completed. One of the first steps to help asthma is to agree on a treatment plan with your doctor. The second is to continue to follow the plan you established with the doctor by routinely taking medications. Third, if you smoke then immediately stop, if you are around people who smoke you need to come to some kind of consensus to stop or briefly remove themselves by letting them know this does not help asthma.. Fourth, as with asthma prevention the best way to help asthma is to keep your surroundings dust free. Fifth, practicing controlled breathing when you have not having an attack. Finally, another way to help with asthma is to avoid allergens or a typical asthmatic trigger which of course does not help asthma.

Asthma Treatment

Using medications for asthma treatment.

An individual concerned about "asthma treatment" should begin researching two methods for asthma treatments which both use different types of asthma medication. The first treatment of asthma is based around long- term relief asthma medication, while the second method of asthma treatment is focused on short-term control medicines. Recognizing when an asthma attack is about to be triggered is where an asthmatic would use the quick relief method for treating their asthma attack. Additionally, long term control medicines should help prevent asthma attacks from occurring less often, if not preventing an asthma attack altogether in the long term.

Long-Term Asthma Treatments

Long term asthma treatments or controllers are focused on reducing or preventing inflamed airways or blocking chemicals in your body which cause your airways to tighten and swell. Long term asthma treatments concentrate on blocking chemicals in your body which are prone to cause allergy symptoms. Controlling allergy symptoms is a part of preventing asthma triggers which in turn can start an asthma attack is apart of recognizing patter of history realted to asthma attacks.

A part of the goal for long term "asthma treatment" is medication that should not only relax their airways it should also help to reduce inflammation of the airways. Evaluating whether an individual should consider a long term asthma treatment the patient should realize doctors seem to convey a consistent message stating “if you experience difficulties with your asthma 3 or more times a week, then your long term treatment of asthma should be evaluated and discussed with a doctor”. It is also important to discuss what you are doing to prevent asthma attacks through avoidance of asthma triggers. This helps with diagnosing asthma as well as well as the different methods treating asthma.

Some long term asthma treatment consist of inhaled corticosteroids. There are several types of inhaled steroids. Although these are steroids they are not the same type of steroids used to build muscles. These corticosteroids are designed to reduce swelling in the airways while strengthening the lungs. Some common brand names of this inhaled steroid are Flovent, Azmacort, Advair, Beclovent, Aerobid, Pulmicort even singulair and asthma as medications. These medications are taken orally and are normally taken 2-4 times a day. This type of medication can come in the form of a round disc or other mechanical object providing the ability to inhale the medicine. Although these medications have proved to be effective for some asthmatics some of these have side effects and should be discussed with a doctor prior to treatment. In addition to the former there are also Leukotriene Modifiers which comes in the form of a pill. Common brand names of Leukotriene Modifiers are Serevent, Fordil or Volmax. These are also designed for long term treatment and provide no quick relief. These are designed to also reduce swelling in the airways and longs. Leukotriene is used both alone and in combination with other medications such as corticosteroids in the treatment of mild to moderate asthma.

Short –Term Asthma Treatments

Short term "asthma treatments" were established to quickly provide relief to muscles surrounding the airways which often tighten at the onset of an asthma attack. Using the quick relief treatment should be utilized as soon as the individual begins to feel chest tightness, begins coughing, wheezing or experiences shortness of breath. Quick asthma treatments consist of short acting Beta-2 agonists treatments. This is by far the most recognizable medications related to asthma. These are the easily recognized by inhalers asthmatics often carry. Unfortunately, these in-halers are for temporary relief and are short lived. These inhalers help reduce anxiety and the stress that quickly evolves as the person suffers an asthma attack. Using short –term asthma treatments more than twice a week usually constitutes that the individuals asthma is not in control and the person should seek medical advice to achieve a better control over their asthma. Bronchodilators are the most recognized inhalers are Albuterol. However, there other beta-2 agonist medication which is used for short term asthma treatments. Other inhaled medications are Proventil, Ventolin, Xopenex, Maxair, Alupent or Atrovent. Each of these medications seems to have the same side affects which causes slight tremors with an increase in the individuals heart rate.

In summary, there is a two tiered approach to treating asthma or preventing asthma attacks. The first is a long-term treatment with the second being a short- term treatment of asthma. The main goal is to reduce the affects of allergens, reduce inflammation of the lungs. In the end using the two tier step while monitoring your asthma with tools such as a peak flow meter will help the individual to be successful in their asthma treatment using the right "asthma medication".