How to Treat an Asthma Attack

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Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Asthma is a serious illness; it’s also very common, and millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from it. The number of those suffering from the condition continues to increase.

There’s no cure for asthma, but many individuals with the condition can find relief for their symptoms. It can be managed to the place where they can go about their lives in a normal fashion without experiencing constant asthma symptoms.

Treating an Asthma Attack

Prevention is the preferred method of treating an asthma attack. Know the circumstances that trigger your symptoms, and avoid them. Nevertheless, there are times when an asthma attack can’t be stopped. So knowing how to treat an asthma attack is essential.

Keep in mind that when it comes to asthma, not all attacks are the same. Your symptoms might be worse during some episodes than others. In a serious asthma attack your airways can constrict to the point that insufficient oxygen travels to your body’s vital organs. This is classified as a medical emergency. Even death can be a result of a serious asthma attack. If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from asthma, it’s important that you’re aware of the seriousness of this condition.

Pharmaceuticals

Medication is often the first choice among ways to deal with an asthma attack. It can help asthma sufferers keep their condition under control and ward off an attack before it becomes serious. Asthma medications can be taken orally or inhaled in vapor form using a metered dose inhaler.

There are actually two different kinds of medication that can be used. Bronchodilators help by reducing spasms. Anti-inflammatory treatments work by reducing the inflammation in the airways. If your condition is severe, your physician might recommend that you use them both in combination.

There are a number of highly effective medications that your doctor can prescribe, such as:

*leukotriene inhibitors such as Singulair and Accolade
*long-acting bronchodilators such as Famoterol and Serevent, and
*Theophylline or Aminophylline.

Your physician will be able to advise you which treatment is most suitable for your condition.