INVALUABLE ASTHMA INFORMATION
Your Pregnancy And Your Asthma Medicines
The management and control of your asthma is particularly important when you're pregnant ...
Identifying The Signs And Symptoms of Asthma
Being knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms can help alert undiagnosed asthma sufferers to their condition ...
Getting A Handle On Asthma Inhalers
Inhalers have completely changed the way doctors treat asthma ...
For More Invaluable Information:
THE BEST ASTHMA BOOKS
Asthma For Dummies
Asthma For Dummies will help asthma sufferers and their loved ones get a strong handle on managing the disease ...
American Academy of Pediatrics Guide To Your Child's Allergies And Asthma
From the foremost authority on children's health -- a vital guide for parents whose children suffer from allergies and asthma ...
For More Asthma Books:
ASTHMA BOOKS
Asthma Medicine - Your Choices
Once you've been diagnosed with asthma, your physician will evaluate the severity of your condition and determine what type of asthma medication will work best for you. While there are literally hundreds of different drugs that can be used to treat asthma, essentially there are two different categories of medicine that can be prescribed: controller medicines and quick-relief medicines.
Controller Medicines
Asthma medicine that aids in controlling the inflammation in the lungs is referred to as controller medicine. It allows the user to breathe easier and experience fewer attacks. The most common controller medicines include Vanceril, Tilade, Intal, AeroBid and Accolate. They are usually prescribed in the form of an inhalant or a pill. If you experience frequent asthma attacks, or cough uncontrollably, your doctor will probably instruct you to take a controller medicine daily.
Quick-Relief Medicines
While this form of asthma medicine can be quite effective, it can also be unsafe for daily use. It can control an active asthma attack, or prevent an attack once symptoms have become apparent. Quick relief medicines are also sometimes referred to as "rescue medicines." Some of the most common brands are Albuterol, Atrovent and Prednisone. These medicines are usually prescribed as a liquid, a pill and as an inhalant.
Other Asthma Medicine
There's one other approach when treating asthma. It's called combination medicine. Combination medicines contain both a controller medicine and a quick-relief medicine in the same inhaler. It's only been recently that an inhaler has been approved that allows the user to adjust the amount of medication being administered. This offers the option of adjusting the levels of medicine according to a person’s condition.
Side Effects of Asthma Medicine
Taking any medicine comes with the risk of side effects, and asthma medicine is no exception. While most people experience no side effects, there have been some side effects reported by those using asthma medicine. Some of the common side effects reported are headache, voice changes, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck, runny nose, hoarseness and congestion. As with any medicine, if you experience side effects inform your doctor at once.
With continual research and the most recent asthma medicine developments, many asthma sufferers lead full, active lives. While not all sufferers will experience the same level of control over their asthma, using an asthma medicine can greatly improve your quality of life.