Asthma Handbook

Treatment

Basically, there are three types of drugs. There are the Preventers which, as the name implies, work to prevent the asthma from happening. They do this by protecting the lining of the lining of the airways, stopping them from becoming inflamed or, if the asthma is chronic, keeping the inflammation down. This, in turn, reduces the mucus and the swelling and keeps the airways open. Different drugs do this in different ways and these are explained further on in this blog.

Quick-acting relievers, also true to their name, relieve the situation when it arise. They are the rescue team that work by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways. They dilate, or in other words, open up, the constricted bronchi (airways). This is why these medicines are know as bronchodilators. They help restore normal breathing. They do not protect the airways or help prevent attacks. When inhaled this type of reliever usually works within five to ten minutes and the effects last for about four hours. You use them when you need them to get you out of trouble and that's the best they can do for you.

Long-acting relievers are similar to the relievers already described in that they open up the airways but they have a slightly different task. They are not quick-acting. The benefits take more time to be noticed - sometimes several days - but the effects last much longer. So they are not used for rescue work but are invaluable in keeping the airways open on a permanent basis. However, they do not effect the irritability or inflammation present in the airways. They are a type of bronchodilator with a different working mechanism. They don't prevent an attack and, strictly speaking, they don't treat one, but they protect you by keeping your airways open. Howeverm these relievers should never be used instead of preventers. Some patients do use them as well as preventers but, as a role of thumb, it is preferable to go on a higher dose of preventer rather take long-acting relievers.

No Comment