Asthma is a lifelong, chronic disease that makes breathing difficult. There are many different reasons why people develop asthma and there are different triggers that can cause an attack. For those with severe-enough symptoms, medication is a necessity in order to participate in many activities. Unfortunately, there can also be side effects from this medication. Your best defense is to learn all you can and work with your health care provider to find the best options for your individual situation.
Identification
There are three main classes of asthma medications. Some are taken for a long time on a regular basis to help prevent asthma attacks. These long-term medications are anti-inflammatory in nature to help reduce the inflammation in the airways. The second class of medications are quick relief medications that are taken when symptoms are present to help provide immediate relief. They primarily consist of bronchodilators. They work by opening up closed airways and reducing inflammation. These drugs help to stop asthma attacks after they have occurred. The third group of medications are those taken for allergen-induced asthma. They are also taken on a regular and long-term basis. These primarily work to suppress the activity and response of the immune system, which reduces your body's response to irritants. These drugs are also designed to prevent asthma attacks.
Considerations
Adverse reactions to asthma medications can be mild or severe and even life threatening. Your gender, size, medical history, age, chemical makeup and amount of medication taken all play a factor in whether you will have an adverse reaction. Some medications can also create problems when mixed with other medications (both prescription and herbal) or alcohol. It is best to keep track of any side effects that you experience and talk to your doctor about them, as the problem may be solved by adjusting the dose. By writing down your adverse reactions and keeping a log, your physician will be better able to tell you proceed to help cut down on any side effects.
Mild Adverse Reactions
Less severe adverse reactions to asthma medications can include a sore throat, fast heartbeat, nervousness, loss of appetite and difficulty falling asleep. You may also experience stomachache, headaches, muscle cramps and/or vomiting. For many patients these symptoms are not severe enough to make them stop taking their medication, due to the benefit they provide in controlling their asthma. In many cases these symptoms are the result of too high a dose of medication. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of lowering your dose while still keeping your asthma symptoms under control.
Severe Adverse Reactions
More serious adverse reactions to asthma medications vary by type of medication taken and include the development of cataracts, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, increased risk of infection, high blood pressure and inhibition of growth in children. Long-term use of some of these medications can lead to damage to the lungs. Other medications can actually trigger life-threatening asthma attacks or lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. See the link for WebMD in "Additional Resources," below for more detailed information.
Solution
Keeping track of your symptoms, including any adverse reactions, is an important step in fully managing your condition. You must play an active role in your own care. Eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and regular exercise will play a huge role in helping you to manage your condition and cut down on side effects. In addition, make sure you store your asthma medications correctly, wash your hands thoroughly before taking your asthma medication and throw away any medication that is past its expiration date or has changed in color or consistency. As with any medication, only use it as it is prescribed. Overuse of asthma medication can cause more harm than good.
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