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Antiasthmatic drugs are medicines
that treat or prevent asthma attacks.
Asthma is a chronic (long-lasting)
inflammatory disease of the airways.
In those susceptible to asthma, this
inflammation causes the airways to
narrow periodically. This, in turn,
produces wheezing and breathlessness,
sometimes to the point where the patient
gasps for air. Obstruction to air
flow either stops spontaneously or
responds to a wide range of treatments,
but continuing inflammation makes
the airways hyper-responsive to stimuli
such as cold air, exercise, dust mites,
pollutants in the air, and even stress
and anxiety.
Asthma usually begins in childhood
or adolescence, but it also may first
appear during adult years. While the
symptoms may be similar, certain important
aspects of asthma are different in
children and adults.
What causes Asthma?
Inflammation of the airways during
an asthma attack may be due to a combination
of things. Although it is not clear
why inflammation occurs, scientists
do know that if other family members
experience the same reaction, you
are more likely to develop it.
Asthma symptoms are sometimes worsened
by certain triggers. The following
is a list of possible asthma causes
(triggers):
- Allergens which includes animal
dander, dust mites, cockroaches, pollen
and mold
-
Irritants which includes cigarette
smoke, indoor and outdoor air pollution,
cold air and weather changes, strong
odors, scented products and stress.
-
Other Triggers which includes medications,
sulfites, infections or allergens
and gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD)
What are the likely symptoms of Asthma?
Asthma symptoms often seem like other
respiratory problems. But, since asthma
is a chronic or long-term disease,
your symptoms may keep coming back.
Common symptoms of asthma may include:
- coughing, especially worse at
night and in the early morning
- wheezing
- chest tightness
- shortness of breath
Check with your doctor/health care
provider if you have any of these
symptoms. These symptoms may be a
sign of a condition other than asthma.
Only your doctor/health care provider
can diagnose asthma.
How to prevent Asthma?
There are a number of ways to cut
down exposure to the common allergens
and irritants that provoke asthmatic
attacks, or to avoid them altogether:
- If the patient is sensitive to
a family pet, remove the animal or
at least keep it out of the bedroom.
Keep the pet away from carpets and
upholstered furniture. Remove all
feathers.
- To reduce exposure to house dust
mats, remove wall-to-wall carpeting,
keep the humidity down, and use special
pillow and mattress covers. Cut down
on stuffed toys, and wash them each
week in hot water.
- Keep indoor air clean by vacuuming
carpets once or twice a week (with
the patient absent), avoid using humidifiers,
and do use air conditioning during
warm weather (so that the windows
can be closed).
- Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke.
- Do not exercise outside when air
pollution levels are high.
What are the medications that come
under Antiasthmatic categories ?
Based on your health condition your
doctor may prescribe any of the following
drugs to prevent/treat asthma.
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