Medications used to treat asthma will depend on several factors, including age, symptoms and how often they appear, medical history, severity of the disease, and the severity of seizures.
In addition, there are drugs that are used daily, to control the disease and prevent seizures, improving the quality of life, while others are indicated only in acute situations, for immediate relief of the crisis.
These medications are indicated to control long-term asthma and prevent seizures, and should be taken daily:
Bronchodilators are remedies that dilate the bronchi of the lungs by facilitating air intake. For long-term treatment, long-acting bronchodilators are indicated, which act for about 12 hours.
Examples of long-acting inhaled bronchodilators include salmeterol and formoterol, which should be used in combination with a corticosteroid. These remedies should not be used during an asthma attack.
Corticosteroids have an anti-inflammatory action, which reduces chronic inflammation in the lungs of asthmatics. These should be used daily to control asthma and prevent asthma attacks.
Examples of inhaled corticosteroids include beclometasone, fluticasone, budesonide and mometasone, which should be associated with an inhaled bronchodilator, as mentioned above. Generally, your doctor recommends the use of an inhaled medicine, popularly known as an asthma inhaler, which contains an inhaled bronchodilator and a corticosteroid, which facilitates the treatment and control of the disease. See step-by-step how to properly use your asthma inhaler.
In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe a leukotriene blocker, which works by preventing narrowing and inflammation of the airways of the lungs caused by leukotriene.
Examples of these remedies include montelukast and zafirlukast, which should be administered in the form of tablets or tablets for chewing.
Theophylline is a bronchodilator xanthine that, although not widely used today, may also be indicated for the treatment of asthma maintenance, as it contributes to the relaxation of the muscles of the airways.
Remedies indicated to treat asthma attacks should only be used in case of seizures or before exertion, which implies an increase in breathing rate, if recommended by the doctor.
Bronchodilators are remedies that dilate the bronchi of the lungs by facilitating air intake. For the treatment of seizures, the indicated are short-acting bronchodilators, which act in minutes and have an effect of approximately 4 to 6 hours.
Examples of short-acting inhaled bronchodilators include salbutamol and phenoterool.
In the event of an asthma attack, systemic steroids may be required, either orally or intravenously, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone. These remedies should not be used for long to treat asthma.
In general, asthma remedies during pregnancy are the same as a woman uses before becoming pregnant. However, before continuing treatment, the woman should talk to the doctor, as there are medications that may be safer during pregnancy.
Excessive use of drugs during pregnancy should be avoided and therefore it is recommended to avoid factors that aggravate the disease and increase the risk of seizures, such as contact with pollen, dust, dogs and cats, perfumes and intense flavours.
Watch the video below and find out what to eat to help control your asthma: