| Asthma is a condition where due to certain stimuli a | | | | alternative medications are long acting beta2 |
| person experiences narrowing of air passages and | | | | agnostics like salmeterol or formoterol or |
| difficulty in breathing. Treatment for asthma should | | | | antimuscarinics like ipratropium or oxitropium. In |
| be done under the guidance of a doctor and should | | | | layman terms asthma medication is of two kinds |
| be planned carefully. The key lies in recognizing the | | | | anti-inflammatory medicines and bronchodilators. |
| causes and managing the condition such that you are | | | | Common medicines are Albuterol, Altrovent, |
| in control of the situation. | | | | Pulmocort Respules. |
| Treatments include: | | | | 8. |
| 1. | | | | Combination therapies where a steroid along with |
| Preventive action where you avoid situations that | | | | long acting medication are prescribed. Alternately, a |
| triggers off symptoms. | | | | combination of antimuscarinic and short acting beta 2 |
| 2. | | | | agnostic is used. |
| Practice meditation and breathing exercises to | | | | 9. |
| strengthen the air passages and lungs. | | | | Use of special equipments like a peak flow meter |
| 3. | | | | which will warn you of an impeding attack and an |
| Exercise regularly to keep fit and to strengthen your | | | | inhaler spacer which will ensure efficient disbursement |
| heart as well as lungs. | | | | of medication. |
| 4. | | | | 10. |
| Use air conditioning this will reduce your exposure to | | | | Allergen Immunotherapy where the patient is |
| air born pollen and other triggers. | | | | desensitized to asthma causing allergens like smoke, |
| 5. | | | | weed, grass, pollen, dust, mold and so on. Similarly |
| Keep your environment free of dust mites, pet | | | | the patient is tested for food allergies that trigger |
| dander, fur and feathers by regularly vacuuming and | | | | off attacks and treated for them. |
| decontaminating your mattresses, pillows, sofas, | | | | Research indicates that the best option for patients |
| throws, carpets, as well as curtains and covers. | | | | is to maintain a dairy and record when and why |
| 6. | | | | attacks occur. This will give a clear understanding of |
| Use inhalers which are of three types: aerosol | | | | triggers. Then the next step is to create an asthma |
| inhalers; breath-actuated inhalers; and dry powder | | | | management plan with the help of your doctor. To |
| inhalers. These contain medication in aerosol form to | | | | strengthen the mind and spirit patients are often |
| provide immediate relief. | | | | asked to join therapy groups that talk about fears, |
| 7. | | | | problems faced by asthmatics, personal experiences, |
| Drugs like short acting beta agonist namely | | | | and work together at breathing exercises and other |
| salbutamol and terbutaline are first prescribed. The | | | | regimens to strengthen their bodies. |