Asthma – Medications And Devices
Asthma is a chronic condition that forms dangerous swelling in the airways leading to the lungs. It requires professional medical management, including medication courses, devices like inhalers or nebulisers, and proper care. To manage Asthma, one needs to control the chronic inflammation and prepare for later asthma attacks.
1. Medications
There is a range of quick-relief medications like inhalers and long-term control drugs available for treating Asthma. One should not use quick-relief medicines to control long-term symptoms of asthma as it does not reduce inflammation. Thus, it will not be effective. In this case, we shall know more about long-term medications.
2. Long-Term Control Medications
The best way one can reduce the risk of severe attack is by using long-term asthma control drugs daily. Medications should relieve inflammation and limit the later effects like fungal infection in the mouth called thrush or sensitivity to allergens that could set off a reaction in the airways. For avoiding the infection, you need to infuse the medication directly into the nasal cavity through devices like inhalers or nebulisers. And if it does come in contact directly with the mouth or throat, you should rinse your mouth with excessive water and contact the doctor at once.
3. Devices
People with Asthma often use devices to deliver medication to the airways effectively. Inhalers and nebulisers are the most common devices used and recommended for administering asthma drugs. A peak flow meter is also a helpful device that helps a person to monitor how their lungs are working. Let us know more about the devices.
Peak Flow Meter
Peak flow is basically a measurement of lung function. It records the force and speed of expelled air. An asthma patient can use a peak flow meter at home itself and monitor the progress of asthma treatment. Keeping a peak flow diary also helps a doctor to understand and observe the lung functioning. On this basis, it helps doctors on how they should prescribe the doses of medication to the patient. On the other hand, it also gives patients an insight of their lungs’ condition.
Inhalers
It is a handheld device that turns asthma medicine into a spray, similar to an aerosol, making it more efficient for reaching the airways. It is the most common and effective tool used by asthma patients to bring themselves to normal conditions. Inhalers are only valid till a situation doesn’t go out of control. In the cases it does, one needs to rush to the hospital or call the ambulance as soon as possible. Inhalers are of two different types:
- Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
These release a pre-measured medicine to ensure that a person with Asthma gets the exact dose they require. Some inhalers also have a counter displaying the remaining number of doses to make sure that the patient knows when to get a new one.
A spacer makes using an inhaler more effective. The spacer helps the medicine reach the lower airways. This is where it has the most powerful impact in treating Asthma. Infants or very young children should place a plastic cup called a facemask over the mouth and nose before using the inhaler.
- Dry Powder Inhalers
It delivers the asthma medication in the form of powder and not spray. But this requires more force when inhaling the medication than the spray inhalers.
Nebulisers
Nebuliser is an electronic device that transforms asthma drugs into a fine mist that does not require forceful inhalation. They are usually bulkier than inhalers and sometimes even require a power supply. You may also get a battery-powered nebuliser.
Takeaway
A variety of medications are involved in the long-term management of Asthma and the treatment of attacks. Quick-relief medications help to address respiratory distress during an asthma attack. Long-term control drugs help to moderate Asthma and reduce airway inflammation.
A variety of devices helps in delivering these medications to the lungs. Also, make sure you choose the correct tools and medication for your asthma condition. The type of delivered medication dictates the type of device. The device also depends on the reason for taking the medication. You should also make sure that you do carry mobility aids with you while recovering from Asthma if required, as when the Asthma attacks you, there are chances that you might need mobility aids.
And your doctor can provide you with a proper prescription for the type of device required to administer the prescribed medication. You should never take the medications without consulting a doctor. Otherwise, wrong medications can worsen the situation, which can possibly lead to death.
