Unfortunately, asthma itself is not curable. However, there are many different treatment options in treating asthma. Treatments depend on severity of the asthma, age, and other medical concerns. Your doctor will create an asthma treatment plan with you to treat your asthma symptoms.   

Before, asthma treatment fell into two categories; long-term medication and quick relief medications. The latest in cutting edge asthma biologics treatments attacks asthma at the source. Asthma is a complex disorder and no two people are alike.  Good follow up with your doctor and a detailed physical and history lend clues as to how best to treat your particular type of asthma.

Always consult with your doctor about any of these treatments. This blog is for educational purposes only.

 

Asthma treatment

Asthma Inhaler

Biologics: The Latest in Cutting Edge Asthma Treatment

 

Recently, a biologic treatment was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called Nucala. This treatment is for adults over the age of 12 who have severe asthma and typical treatments are not  effective.

The active ingredient mepolizumab is injected by IV or subcutaneous injection once a month (or every two weeks). The injections decreases the amount of inflammatory chemicals  and gets down to the molecular level to treat what aggravates asthma.

Some symptoms of the treatment are an allergic reaction or low blood pressure. This treatment has proven much more precise than steroids. Using this treatment for a patient would be determined case by case.

 

Quick Relief Medications

 

Bronchodilators

Inhaled Short-Acting Beta2-Agonists are taken through an inhaler. This quick relief medication will quickly relax the tightened muscles around your airways during a flare-up.  A bronchodilator is taken when you are coughing, wheezing, having trouble breathing, or having an asthma attack.  Quick relief medications should not be used twice a week or more.

 

Oral Steroids

Your doctor may prescribe an oral steroids if you’re experiencing an asthma attack that doesn’t go away for more than a week. This treatment is taken by pill, capsule, or a liquid. Often your doctor will try to minimize the use of this medication for only severe flare ups.

 

Long-Term Medications

 

Inhaled Corticosteroids

This is a long-term asthma treatment that many patients use. Inhaled corticosteroids reduce inflammation and help prevent the chain reaction of asthma symptoms. You take this medication by using an inhaler.

 

Cromolyn

This medicine is taken using a device called a nebulizer. As you breathe in, the nebulizer sends a fine mist of medicine to your lungs. Cromolyn helps prevent airway inflammation.

 

Omalizumab (brand name Xolair)

This medicine is given as a shot (injection) one or two times a month.  If your asthma does not respond to inhaled steroids and your asthma is hard to control this might be right for you. It helps prevent your body from reacting to asthma triggers, such as pollen and dust mites. Anti-IgE might be used if other asthma medicines have not worked well.

 

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