Although asthma cannot be cured, effective treatments are available. The most common treatment is an inhaler, which delivers medication directly to the lungs. Inhalers can help control the disease and enable people with asthma to enjoy a normal, active life.
There are two main types of inhaler. Bronchodilators (such as salbutamol) open the air passages and relieve symptoms. Steroids (such as beclometasone) reduce inflammation in the air passages, which improves asthma symptoms and reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks and death. People with asthma may need to use their inhaler every day. Their treatment will depend on the frequency of symptoms and the types of inhalers available.
Using an inhaler can be difficult, especially for children and during emergency situations. Using a spacer device makes it easier to use an aerosol inhaler. This helps the medicine to reach the lungs more easily. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end and a hole for the inhaler in the other. A homemade spacer, made from a 500ml plastic bottle, can be as effective as commercially manufactured spacers.
Oral asthma medications are also available. These include montelukast (helps relieve asthma symptoms) and theophylline (helps keep the airways open by relaxing the muscles around the airways), among others.
Consult your doctor for more information on asthma treatment. Shop at Watsons for asthma medications.
References:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma. Accessed 2 October 2023
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369660. Accessed 2 October 2023
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