It is important for people with asthma to know how to take the correct asthma medication. This is because asthma can cause sufferers to have difficulty breathing. If not treated properly, asthma can lead to dangerous complications.
Someone who takes asthma medication needs to know the rules for its use, including the dose, method, and time of use so that asthma medication can work optimally. This is because there are various types of asthma medications and each has a different role in overcoming asthma symptoms.
Types and How to Take Asthma Drugs
In general, asthma medication aims to overcome and control the symptoms experienced by asthmatics so that they do not interfere with daily activities. The following are the types of asthma medications:
Short-acting or fast-acting asthma medication
This drug is mostly intended for asthmatics who experience sudden asthma attacks because it can relieve the respiratory tract quickly, thereby relieving shortness of breath in a short time as well. But apart from that, your doctor may also suggest using this drug before exercising.
Here are the types and ways to take short-term asthma medications:
- Beta agonist short acting
This type of drug can be taken in the form of tablets or syrup and there are also preparations that can be used with inhaler or nebulizer (steam apparatus). Examples of drugs belonging to this type are albuterol and salbutamol.
Beta agonist tablets and syrup short acting taken during an asthma attack and can usually be used up to 3-4 times a day if the complaints have not subsided. However, the dose adjusts the age of asthma sufferers.
- Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are useful for reducing inflammation of the respiratory tract that constricts the airways. This type of drug is usually used for asthma attacks that do not improve with beta agonists or anticholinergics.
An example of this type of drug is prednisone in tablet form. This drug is most effective if taken in the first hour of an asthma attack and can be repeated 12 hours later if there are still complaints. The maximum dose is 50 mg per day.
If you are already taking short-term asthma medications more often than your doctor recommends, you may need to adjust to long-term asthma medications to help reduce relapses.
Long term asthma medication
Long-term asthma medications are taken daily to keep asthma under control and reduce the number and severity of asthma attacks. So, long-term asthma medication should still be taken even if there are no complaints. The following are some types of long-term asthma control drugs:
- theophyllineTheophylline helps keep the airways open by relaxing the muscles around the airways. Theophylline can be in the form of tablets, capsules, or syrup and is usually taken 2 times a day before meals.
Theophylline has side effects such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, faster heart rate, and feelings of restlessness or nervousness. If you experience these side effects, stop using theophylline and consult a doctor.
- Leukotriene modifier (leukotriene modifiers)
This drug works by blocking the action of leukotrienes, which are compounds that cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Drugs belonging to this group include montelukast and zafirlukast.
This drug is available in pill, tablet, or liquid form, and is usually enough to take once at night. Its use should be on the advice of a doctor and with special attention because of the risk of causing psychological reactions, such as anxiety, hallucinations, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Taking long-term asthma medications may reduce your need for rapid-acting asthma medications. Use long-term asthma medication according to the doctor's advice, after consultation and examination.
Healthy Lifestyle Beside Taking Asthma Drugs
In addition to taking asthma medication according to the instructions for use, you also need to live a healthy lifestyle so that asthma is well controlled. The following are some ways you can do to control asthma symptoms:
- Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids.
- Avoid foods that can cause allergies, because allergies can trigger asthma attacks.
- Avoid foods with preservatives, because in some people, this can trigger an asthma attack.
- Watch your calorie intake, because obesity can also exacerbate asthma symptoms.
- Do exercise regularly, such as yoga, swimming, cycling, aerobics, walking and jogging.
- Avoid smoking and keep the environment clean, especially around where you live.
In addition, to anticipate sudden asthma attacks, you should take asthma medication with you wherever you go and avoid cigarette smoke because it can hinder the performance of the drug.
If you suffer from asthma but taking asthma medication is no longer able to overcome the symptoms that appear, immediately consult a doctor to get an adjustment in the type and dose of asthma medication.
