Asthma

Asthma might be a response to exposure to allergens. In that case , immunotherapy is directed at decreasing the body’s reaction to allergens by a technique known as “hyposensitization” where the essence of various allergens are injected into the body by the treating physician in small amounts ,that only result in minor reactions in the body . The amounts are gradually increased over weeks and months until the patient is able to withstand a large exposure to the allergens without developing an asthma attack. Obviously this will only work with type 1 asthma.
b. Steroids: Steroids are compounds that occur naturally in the body that are involved with inflammatory regulation in the body. It has been proven that taking small amounts of steroids every day (glucocorticoids, not the type abused by performance enhancers, those are androgen steroids) will prevent asthma attacks or at least decrease the severity of the attack. However steroids have drastic effects on the body if taken for prolonged periods, like gastric ulcers and thinning of bones. That is why steroid INHALERS are used. Inhalers contain small doses of steroid that are delivered as an AEROSOL that can be inhaled and will only produce it’s effect LOCALLY on the lungs ,with minimal effects on the rest of the body.Regular intake of these steroids can be very helpful in controlling asthma symptoms.
Drug Treatments: The drugs used to control an attack of asthma, like:
a. Bronchodilators: They are medicines that widen the airways. They can be given as inhalers, syrup, tablets or for the optimal effect, in a NEBULIZER (a nebulizer is a machine that produces a fine mist of the medicine that can be breathed in by the patient producing a rapid effect). Examples of inhalers include Ventolin, Serevent etc.
b. Steroids: In large doses, steroids can be given as either injections or tablets to control severe asthma symptoms. E.g. Prednisolone.
c. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors: Like Theophylline can be given as adjunct in severe asthma in either injection form or tablets. They act by dilating the airways and also by boosting the breathing effort.
d. Mucolytic drugs: Function by decreasing the viscidity of the mucus blocking the airways, they can be given either as aerosol or syrup or tablets, like L-cysteine and Bromohexine.

Spacers:

Spacers are accessories to inhalers that are useful when it is difficult to learn to use the inhaler in asthma patients, as in little children and older people.