Medications Prescribed for Asthma Control
Medications Prescribed for Asthma Control
Asthma results in mild to severe airflow obstruction. As one of the
leading causes for missed days of school for children, it attributes to over
7 million missed school days per year. Although this condition may occur
at any age, children younger than 10 years of age account for about half
of all cases. Boys are more likely than girls to be affected by this condition,
although women are more susceptible to adult-onset asthma than
men. Asthma is classified as mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate
persistent and severe persistent. Peak flow monitors may be used to
determine how well the asthma is controlled. Symptoms include wheezing,
cough, and chest tightness. Triggers for asthma attacks include exercise,
pollutants, mold, animal dander, and dust mites. Persons affected by
asthma should avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, aspirin, and non-steroidal
inflammatory medications.
For persons with mild intermittent asthma, a short-acting medication,
such as albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) should be readily available for
immediate relief of occasional symptoms. Typically, persons with persistent
asthma also require an inhaled corticosteroid daily, such as fluticasone
(Flovent). Persons with persistent asthma may also require a long-acting
medication, such as salmeterol (Serevent).