Asthma Treatment

Asthma is usually diagnosed by studying the episodes that constituted the doctor's visit in the first place. Researching and avoiding the causes of the patient's outbreak is the primary treatment for outbreaks of asthma, although there are a few key classifications to make defining the cause of each patient's asthma easier.

Causes of Asthma

Exercise-Induced

Exercise has been known to cause asthma outbreaks, so treatment of such cases includes constant observation of breathing patterns through a peak-flow meter and observation of patient during activities.

Nocturnal

Nocturnal asthma is categorized by outbreaks that worsen at night. Usually treatment of such cases includes searching for underlying causes and treating those first.

Treatment of Asthma

Steroid-Resistant

Treatment of asthmatics usually involves medication of some sort, usually in either liquid or inhaler form. Steroid-resistant asthma is characterized by a resistance to steroid therapy (inhalers, etc.) and other measures must be taken.

Medication for asthma can come as a pill, liquid and/or inhaler. Quick relief is the key, since asthma worsens rapidly. Short-acting treatments relieve an attack quickly to suppress symptoms by relaxing the muscles around the inflamed airways. Anticholinergics are rapid-relief asthma medications, but they are slower than the short-acting beta-agonists. Steroid pills and syrups are usually used to curb severe asthma attacks. They ease the swelling and assist other asthma medicines in working better.

There are also long-term medications for children, including steroid inhalers, oral steroids and many, many other preventatives. Talk to your doctor about what is best for your child.

For an article on how antibiotics may contribute to asthma, see Asthma and Antibiotics