Dealing with asthma is never an easy experience; there are days when nature seems to work against you, and there are other times when your lungs just won’t cooperate.
Compared to other respiratory diseases, this condition is easily recognizable, and because of its unique experiences. Considering the wheezing, coughing, and periodic difficulties in breathing that come with asthma, it’s easy to see why medical experts urge those suffering from it to seek proper treatment.
Although more than 25 million Americans suffer from the respiratory condition today, many are still unfamiliar with its ins-and-outs. Some people are unaware of the mere fact that they have asthma themselves! Thanks to the advent of modern medical care, however, it has become much easier to deal with the disease without running into difficulties along the way.
When it comes to dealing with asthma, there are many different methods, techniques, and tools used to administer adequate treatment to minimize the long-term effects. Among the various tools that can be used to fight the condition, none are more impactful or useful in the long run than the medicine used to handle it!
The different types of medications typically prescribed for asthma
If you currently have asthma, you’re most likely familiar with the fact that medication is your best friend in handling or managing the sickness. However, it can be easy to mix up all the different names because they easily sound the same or seem unfamiliar altogether, which is where our MedManage app can help!
Let’s look at three common types of medicines that are typically prescribed across all degrees of asthma:
1. Anti-inflammatories
Anti-inflammatory medicines are seen as one of the essential prescriptions for fighting asthma symptoms and a must-have in any asthmatic’s medicine box, log, and cabinet.
Typically, anti-inflammatories are critical for dealing with long-term conditions because they reduce mucus production and the presence of swelling inside the airways. Alternatively identified as corticosteroids or steroids, these medicines help make it far easier to breathe during asthma attacks, but it’s crucial to rinse out the mouth after to avoid getting thrush!
2. Bronchodilators
Aside from anti-inflammatory medications, bronchodilators are another necessary prescription for combating asthma symptoms and asthmatic attacks that can’t be overlooked.
The primary purpose of any bronchodilator is to relax the breathing tubes (or the muscles around the airways) during an episode or a presence of gradual discomfort. It’s worth noting that this type of medication can come in two primary forms, which can either be prescribed individually or recommended together:
- Long-acting bronchodilators: This type of medication produces effects that last for a long time and inhibit prolonged relaxation in the airways to prevent asthmatic attacks. Best combined with anti-inflammatory asthma medicine, this asthma prescription shouldn’t be sought for quick relief.
- Short-acting bronchodilators: Seen as the previous remedy’s fast-action counterpart, short-acting bronchodilators help quickly relax the airways during a panic attack. Compared to their long-acting versions, however, this type of bronchodilator only works for a short period and isn’t recommended for continuous symptom management.
3. Antibiotics
Although this medication is used to handle general concerns related to bacterial management and prevention, it is especially crucial for dealing with asthma.
With the help of antibiotics, it becomes far easier to manage the flare-ups caused by bacterial or viral infections, creating a problem that bronchodilators alone can’t fix. Thankfully, it is widely available in all kinds of drugstores!
Conclusion
Dealing with asthma and preventing its various effects from impeding your quality of life is a conscious effort that requires taking note of all the details, especially when it comes to medication. Through this guide’s help, you can quickly figure out what medicine you’ll need to start tracking to ensure that you’re fully stocked with all you need to fight the disease!
Through the use of our daily medication log, you won’t ever have to worry about missing a dose on a prescription for any of your conditions or those of your patients’. Check out our app today to start taking your meds on time in the most convenient and accessible way possible!