Treatments
How is Asthma Treated?
Asthma affects people in different ways and there are many medications available. Your doctor or asthma nurse will try to create an Asthma Management Plan that exactly matches your type of asthma. It may take a few visits to the doctor before he/she finds the asthma medication that suits you best. There are two main forms of treatment.
1. Controller Medication (sometimes called "Preventers")
These medications help by reducing the number of attacks and how severe the attacks are. Controllers are best taken by inhalation . Controller inhalers contain small doses of steroids which treat inflammation in the airways and reduce the irritability when the airways come in contact with triggers such as head colds, dust mites, exercise and sudden drops in temperature. Controllers need to be taken every day to be effective and must never be stopped no matter how well you feel without doctors orders. It may take two weeks or longer of taking the controller before it takes effect. Sometimes when your asthma flares up, changes in your medication may be made. If your asthma treatment is working you may find that your symptoms have improved or disappeared. This doesn't mean your asthma is cured – it means that your medication is working! You must never stop taking your controller without a discussion with your doctor or asthma nurse first.
Remember to rinse out your mouth after using your controller.
Important Point! -The steroid dose in controllers is very small so there are few side effects.
2. Relievers
Relievers are used to treat the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscles in the airway and help them to open up. Relievers are usually taken when asthma symptoms begin. They too are best taken by inhaler. They start to work within five minutes and the effects last for four hours. They can be taken fifteen minutes before exercise to prevent exercise induced asthma symptoms. Relievers are good at stopping the effects of asthma but they do not prevent the effect from happening in the first place. If you find you are using your Reliever more than two times per week then you may need to use a controller.
Long Acting Relievers
Like short acting relievers these are best taken by inhalation. They don't begin work as quickly as traditional relievers but they have a much longer period of action. Many doctors like to combine a long action reliever with an inhaled controller.
Other Treatments
Oral Steroids
When asthma symptoms are very severe it may be necessary to take oral steroids. These tablets are used to bring severe asthma symptoms back under control and are usually stopped after a short period of time. The occasional short sharp course of oral steroids causes relatively few side effects. However oral steroids taken for long periods are associated with the following side effects: weight gain, bone thinning, impaired growth, diabetes and eye problems. Therefore all doctors caring for children with asthma will try to avoid using long term oral steroids.
AntiLeukotrines are non steroid medications that can be used to reduce inflammation in the airways. These can be especially useful in asthma where exercise seems to be a trigger. These medications are usually added on to your inhaler treatment.
Side Effects
Asthma drugs have an excellent safety record and are well tolerated by the majority of people with asthma. The main side effects of relievers are hyperactive behaviour and a fast heartbeat. These effects are commonly observed when taken orally but are rarely seen when inhaled. Side effects of inhaled steroids (the controller) include hoarseness, sore throats and occasionally oral thrush. This can be avoided by using a spacer device and rinsing the mouth after inhalation.
The long term side effects of inhaled steroids are being intensively researched. It seems that when used in recommended doses under medical supervision they are well tolerated with few side effects . Once asthma symptoms are well controlled your doctor or asthma nurse will reduce the dose of inhaled steroids where possible.
Steroids
Patients often confuse inhaled steroids with oral steroids, which, if taken over long periods may cause weight gain. Many patients may mistakenly believe that inhaled steroids are like anabolic steroids which are sometimes abused by athletes to gain extra body muscle. In fact inhaled steroids cause neither of these problems and are very well tolerated.
Remind your parents of your next asthma check up with your doctor or asthma nurse.
