Asthma And Allergy Medication Options

There are various asthma and allergy medication that one can consider when suffering from asthma attack. For example, asthma and allergy medication may be used to reverse the constriction of bronchi during an asthma attack. The various asthma and allergy medication can be categorized into three category:

1) preventers, 2) symptom controllers, and 3) relievers.

The usage method of these medications depends on their action principle and action period.

Salbutamol and terbutaline are examples of relievers which are the most widely used asthma and allergy medication. These usually come in a blue inhaler and help in relaxing and smoothening of muscles of the bronchi to facilitate free flow of air through the bronchial; tubes.

A patient should inhale relievers when breathing seems to be uncomfortable. The advisable method is to take a puff and wait for a minute, if that doesn't comfort breathing process, then take another puff. While the first puff dilates the larger air passages and eases air flow through them the second puff will send the asthma and allergy medication to the smaller airways and dilates them to relieve the asthmatic condition. Continuous or frequent usage of such relievers may desensitize the airways in the respiratory system towards their action.

Symptom Controllers & Preventers

Symptom controllers though differ from preventers in the fact that they have a longer effect, they are similar to the preventers and are used as asthma and allergy medication. Formoterol, salmeterol and bambuterol are all long acting agonists and fall under the controller category of asthma medication. Asthma preventers that help in inhibiting the production of chemicals in the bronchi and lungs as an asthmatic response to some trigger are some corticosteroid, which is taken orally or inhaled.

Beclomethasone, fluticasone, budesonide, dexamethasone and prednisolone are a few of the numerous corticosteroid found mostly in a brown colored inhalers. Becotide, Pulmicort and Flixotide are some of the names under which these medications are marketed. Problems in blood glucose levels, increased appetite, decreased immunity, redistribution of fat, weight gain, osteoporosis, slower healing and skin thinning are a few of the many side effects caused by these medications.

Considering the side effects its very important that use of asthma and allergy medications like corticosteroid should be reduced as much as possible and taken in the minimum dose required. Inhaled steroids are a better option over oral preparations for prevention since they target the lungs much more effectively. These medications should be taken with least frequency in least amount possible, that is, taking five puffs three times a day is better than taking three puffs five times a day.

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