How is Asthma Controlled?

For many years, a huge variety of asthma medications have been formulated by scientists and prescribed by doctors. In fact, many parents have tried using different asthma treatments for their kids. And although we know that asthma is a long-term disease which cannot be cured, the aim of these different treatments is to control the disease.

Basically, the asthma medications are classified into two: Controller Asthma medicines and Quick Relief Asthma medicines. At the very first instance of an asthma symptom, the controller medicine should be administered to prevent making it worse. Examples of controllers are Inhaled corticosteroids ( Flovent HFA, Aerobid, Asmanex,  Pulmicort), Theophylline, Advair, Leukotriene receptor antagonists (Zyflo, Singulair,and Accolate), Long-acting beta₂ agonists, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory controller , and Xolair injections for those with allergic asthma.

Quick Relief Asthma Medicines are those that provide instant relief during an asthma attack. When a child has asthma symptoms, they are commonly given a nebulizer or an inhaler. Other asthma medicines include Terbutaline, Levaluterol, Albuterol, Pirbuterol, and Atrovent. Oral asteroids can be taken as an asthma treatment. Older kids can swallow pills while younger ones can take syrups.

To make it easier for parents to understand which medication should be given to their child in different situations, an asthma action plan should be utilized. If you do not have this plan yet, you may consider asking a doctor or Pediatric Pulmonologist to learn how to manage asthma and educate yourselves more.

Learning how to control asthma will help prevent chronic symptoms, reduce the need for quick relief medicines, help maintain good lung function, and of course, lets you maintain normal activity and sleep soundly during the night.