About this topic
Asthma is a lung disease in which the airways become swollen and narrowed. This causes a person to have trouble breathing. Your doctor may give you different kinds of inhalers to help control your asthma. It is important to understand how each inhaler works in order to manage your asthma. ‚
General
Your asthma drugs work in 1 of 2 ways. The doctor may order drugs to help: ‚
- Relax the muscles around the airways. These quick acting drugs will help you breathe easier. These are your rescue drugs. You only take these drugs when you are having an asthma attack, not on a regular basis.
- Reduce swelling in your airways. These drugs may also lessen the amount of mucus in the lungs. These drugs prevent an asthma attack and are your controller drugs. You should take these drugs on a regular basis in order for them to work and prevent asthma attacks. Take these drugs even when you are feeling well.
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What will the results be?
- Rescue drugs will help you breathe more easily in the short term. They do not help with the underlying problem of why you are having asthma signs right now.
- Controller drugs will work to prevent you from having an asthma flare up. They will also work to keep your signs from getting worse. They work in the long term.
What drugs may be needed?
If you need to use your rescue drugs more than 2 to 3 times a week, your asthma is not well controlled. Your doctor may need to change your controller drugs. Talk to your doctor about how often you are using your rescue and controller drugs. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
If your asthma is well controlled, you should not need to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble doing your everyday activities. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Constant coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Decreased lung function
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Asthma is not preventable, but you can work to prevent asthma attacks. Here are some things that may help: ‚
- Learn about what triggers your asthma. Stay away from those things. Common triggers are dust, pollens, pet hair, smoke, or scents from candles, perfumes, or detergents.
- Do not smoke. Do not allow others to smoke near you or in the car with you. Smoke can linger on clothes and furniture and cause breathing problems.
- Treat coughs and colds. These can start an asthma attack.
- Make sure you get a flu shot each year.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- If you need to use your rescue inhaler 2 to 3 times in one week
- If it has been 15 minutes since you last used your rescue inhaler and you are not breathing any better
- For new coughing or wheezing, or if it has gotten worse
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology ‚
https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/at-a-glance/inhaled-asthma-medications.aspx ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
https://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/asthma-asthme/treatment-traitement/medications-medicaments_e.php ‚
Kids Health ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/asthma/rescue_controller.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚