Asthma Relief
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology states that 34.1 million Americans and 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma. The academy reports that 250,000 people die from asthma each year. Asthma treatments soothe the painful symptoms of asthma and can even safe your life.
-
Short-Term Treatments
-
Asthma attacks can occur at any time and must be treated quickly. Short-term or rescue medications are used to treat these attacks. These medications come in different varieties. Beta-2 antagonists can be inhaled during an asthma attack and work almost immediately. They relax airway muscles and return your breathing to normal. They are effective for four to six hours.
Medicines like Prednisone and Methylprednisolone are taken intravenously. These reduce inflammation of the airways. They shouldn't be used often as they can cause severe side effects such as shortness of breath and migraines. They should only be used during severe asthma attacks.
If you are using your rescue medicines daily, your long-term asthma medicine may not be right for you. Keep track of how often you use your rescue medicines, and see your doctor if think you use them too often.
Long-Term Treatments
-
While it is important to treat your asthma attacks, short-term treatments are only effective as symptoms occur. Keeping your asthma under control requires long-term medicines that reduce your symptoms over a long period of time. Inhaled medicines like Fluticasone, Budesonide, Trimacinolone, Flunisolide and Beclomethasone reduce airway inflammation. These medicines are safe to use for long periods of time. Unlike short-term medicines, they take some time to become effective but treat your symptoms more fully. Long-acting beta-2 antagonists are also inhaled. These inhalers shouldn't be used for short-term relief, as they do not take effect quickly.
Not all long-term asthma treatments are inhalers. Theophylline is pill that relaxes the airways and makes breathing easier. This pill is taken daily. Talk to your doctor before deciding what medicine is right for you.
Natural Treatments
-
Besides medicines, there are many natural treatments for asthma. None of these treatments should be used in place of a traditional medical treatment. They can supplement an existing and well-working asthma therapy plan. Avoid any supplements that may cause you an allergic reaction. Anti-oxidants like vitamin E and selenium help reduce throat damage from asthma attacks. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system and promotes healing. Fish oil is an excellent anti-inflammation medicine, as are magnesium and quercetin. N-acetyl cysteine reduces the bronchial mucus that can make breathing even more difficult during an asthma attack.
-
