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There is no cure for asthma. However, it is a highly treatable disease. In fact, some doctors say that current asthma treatments are so effective that many people have almost complete control of their symptoms.
People with asthma have very individual triggers and reactions. Some doctors believe that there are actually many types of asthma, each with its own causes, risks, and treatments.
If you have asthma, your doctor will work with you to create an asthma action plan that focuses on your own symptoms and their causes.
Asthma treatment has two main purposes: long-term control and short-term symptom relief. Here are some of theasthma medicationYour doctor may include the following in your asthma action plan:
inhalersThese portable devices deliver a pre-measured dose of asthma medication into the lungs. You hold the J-bombs in your mouth and squeeze the boat. The pump emits a mist or dust that you inhale.
Some inhalers contain corticosteroids, which control inflammation and irritation in the airways. These inhalers are intended for daily or seasonal use.
Other inhalers contain fast-acting medicines (such as bronchodilators, beta2-agonists, or anticholinergics) that can quickly open up your airways when you have an asthma attack.
Some inhalers may contain a combination of medications to control your exact reactions.
Vernebler.These self-contained devices turn liquid medicine into a mist that you can breathe. The medications used in nebulizers reduce inflammation and irritation in the airways.
Oral medication.Your long-term action plan may also include oral medications. Oral asthma medications include leukotriene modulators (which reduce inflammation) and theophylline (which has been largely replaced by safer and more effective medications), which open up the airways. Both are taken in tablet form. Oral corticosteroid pills are also sometimes prescribed.
biological. You may receive an injection of a biologic drug once or twice a month. These drugs are also known as immunomodulators because they reduce certain white blood cells in your blood or decrease your sensitivity to allergens around you. They are only used for certain types of severe asthma.
ASTHMA medicationYour doctor may prescribe one or more of these medicines to help control your asthma and relieve symptoms.
Long-term: inhaled corticosteroids
- Beclometasone (Qvar RediHaler)
- Budesonida (Pulmicort Flexhaler)
- Ciclesonido (Alvesco)
- Fluticasón (Flovent HFA)
- Mometason (Asmanex Twisthaler)
Long-term: leukotriene modifiers
- Montelukast (Singulair)
- by Zafirluka (Akkolade)
- Zileuton (Zyflo)
If you're taking Singulair, you should know that the drug has been linked to depression, aggression, agitation, and hallucinations on rare occasions, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Kalra D, et al. (2014). [Montelukast (Singulair)] Pediatric Postmarketing Surveillance and Drug Use Review. It also increases the risk of serious psychological effects, such as suicidal thoughts and actions.https://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170113205720/http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/PediatricAdvisoryCommittee/UCM414065.pdf FDA requires boxed warning about serious mental health side effects of asthma and allergy drug montelukast (Singulair); recommends limiting its use in allergic rhinitis. (2020). Tell your doctor about any mental health symptoms that you or your child are experiencing.https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requires-boxed-warning-about-serious-mental-health-side-effects-asthma-and-allergy-drug Long-term: long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs)
You should always take LABA with corticosteroids, as they can cause severe asthma attacks when taken alone.
- Salmeterol (Serevent)
- Formoterol (performista)
- Arformoterol (Brovana)
Some inhalers combine corticosteroids and LABA drugs:
- Fluticasón y salmeterol (Advair Diskus, Advair HFA)
- Budesonida y formoterol (Symbicort)
- Mometasone and formoterol (Dulera)
- Fluticason and Vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)
theophyllineIt is a bronchodilator that is taken in the form of tablets. This medication, sometimes sold under the name Theo-24, is rarely prescribed today.
Fast acting: rescue inhalers
- Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA and others)
- Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)
If you have severe asthma, your doctor might add oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to your asthma action plan.
If your flare-ups seem to be caused by allergens, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) or antihistamines and decongestants.
biological
- Xolair® (Omalizumab)
- Nucala® (mepolizumab)
- Cinqair® (reslizumab)
- Fasenra® (benralizumab)
There are manynatural remedies for asthmaconsider.
Always consult your doctorAsthma is a serious condition, and flare-ups can be life-threatening. Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding home remedies to your or your child's action plan. Never stop taking asthma medicine without first talking to your doctor.
black cumin (Nigella sativa)
Nigella sativaIt is a spice in the cumin family that is used as a medicine in various cultures, including the Ayurvedic tradition. The black seeds can be eaten, taken in pill or powder form, or used in the form of essential oils.
A 2017 review of studies onNigella sativadiscovered that black seed can improve lung function and help with asthma symptoms.
Shoppingblack cumin (Nigella sativa)
Caffeine
Caffeine has also been studied as a natural asthma remedy because it is related to the drug theophylline, which is used to relax the muscles in the airways.
Although there are no recently reported studies demonstrating its benefits, a 2010 data review showed that drinking coffee produced a modest improvement in airway function for up to four hours.
hill
hillit's a nutrient your body needs to function well, but choline deficiency is rare. Some evidence suggests that choline supplementation can reduce inflammation in people with asthma, but taking too much choline can cause side effects.
Choline can be taken in pill form or found in foods such as beef and chicken liver, eggs, cod and salmon, vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, and soybean oil. Side effects are unlikely if your choline intake comes exclusively from food.
Shoppinghill.
French Maritime Pine Bark Extract
Pine bark extract is made up of plant hormones and organic chemicals called flavonoids, and is commonly sold under the brand name Pycnogenol.
Although more research is needed, a study of 76 people found that pycnogenol reduced nocturnal awakenings from allergic asthma and the need for regular asthma medication.
Shoppingpine bark extract.
Vitamin D
Another supplement that people often add isVitamin D. Researchers in London found that taking vitamin D with your asthma medication reduced the risk of going to the emergency room for an asthma attack by 50 percent.
ShoppingVitamin D.
Doctors are increasingly trying to use certain biomarkers in the breath to personalize asthma treatment.
This area of research is most useful when doctors prescribe the class of drugs known asbiological. Biologics are proteins that work in your immune system to prevent inflammation.
Asthma is a disease that causes the airways to narrow due to swelling, contraction, or increased mucus. Although there is no cure, there are many treatment options that can prevent asthma attacks or treat symptoms when they occur.
Some home or natural remedies can help, but always check with your doctor before adding anything to your asthma action plan.
FAQs
Is asthma treatable or curable? ›
There's currently no cure for asthma, but treatment can help control the symptoms so you're able to live a normal, active life. Inhalers, which are devices that let you breathe in medicine, are the main treatment. Tablets and other treatments may also be needed if your asthma is severe.
Can asthma be cured with medication? ›Although we cannot cure asthma, we can control it. Everyone's asthma is different, so you and your doctor need to create an asthma treatment plan just for you. This plan will include an Asthma Action Plan that will have information about your asthma triggers and instructions for taking your medicines.
What medicine can cure asthma permanently? ›Asthma is a highly treatable disease, but there is no permanent cure for asthma at present. Though asthma is a lifelong condition, it is possible to live a healthy life. Using effective treatments and lifestyle changes, you can reduce the symptoms of asthma.
Can asthma be cured over time? ›So can asthma be cured completely? Asthma cannot be cured completely, no, but it can be controlled to the point that the symptoms become negligible. As a chronic and lasting condition, asthma is not curable. It is highly treatable, though, so long as a patient has professional support.
What drink is good for asthma? ›Certain herbal teas may help relieve asthma symptoms. Research suggests that ginger tea, green tea, black tea, eucalyptus tea, fennel tea, and licorice tea may reduce inflammation, relax your respiratory muscles, and boost your breathing, among other benefits.
Can asthma go away with exercise? ›Physical activity can be more difficult when you have asthma. But in fact, regularly getting your heart rate up through exercise can actually improve your asthma symptoms by: improving your lung function, helping you control your asthma.