Asthma Treatment

The good thing about having asthma is that most people can live normal lives with the right kind of management. Asthma treatment of the symptoms is one essential part of asthma management, second only to prevention of asthma triggers like dust, dander, pollen or smoke.

Asthma treatment includes but is not exclusive to drugs that provide either fast relief or long-term treatment. It is important to note that there is no asthma cure.  Medications are only effective at relieving the sufferer of symptoms, despite some advertising that promote various 'cures' for asthma.

Quick-relief Asthma treatment

Fast acting asthma treatment usually works to provide quick relief from asthma symptoms. Medications under this category include Albuterol, Levaluterol, Pirbuterol Terbutaline and Atrovent. Other medications designed to provide quick relief include corticosteroids and long-acting beta 2 agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists like Singulair and Foradil as well as Xolair injections specific for asthmatic children with allergic asthma. Some doctors advise patients to increase the use of these medications during an acute asthma attack along with the use of fast-acting bronchodilators.

Controller Medications

Controller medications are drugs that work mainly to provide long-term relief and act mainly to reduce inflammation. Medications that belong to this category include inhaled corticosteroids like Aerobid, Flovent and Pulmicort.

Alternative Asthma Treatment

Because conventional asthma treatment such as steroids has their fair share of side effects, some people may prefer non-pharmaceutical means to treat the symptoms of asthma. Kinds of asthma treatment that belong in this category include acupuncture, breathing exercise, yoga and exercise, muscle training, massage and chiropractic treatment.

So far, acupuncture has shown the best promise for being one of the most effective asthma treatments. Breathing exercises are also beneficial. They are known for improvements in the quality of life of asthma sufferers and have reduced the need for asthmatic medications. Yoga, exercise and meditation are also kinds of asthma treatment that can help to keep the lungs healthy and have been found helpful in the control of symptoms of chronic asthma.  However, it is important to note that exercising in cold weather is not advisable for persons with asthma as this can trigger an asthma attack.