According to the CDC’s most recent statistics, almost 8% of Americans live with asthma. If you’re reading this, you may be one of them.
Treating asthma means avoiding asthma attacks and choosing the right medications. When you understand the types of asthma inhalers, you can be in control of your illness.
Are you ready to choose the right asthma medications for you? If so, keep reading. You’ll learn which types of asthma medications you can use so you know which inhalers to reach for.
Types of Asthma Inhalers
Asthma inhalers fall into two categories:
- Maintenance (or control) inhalers
- Rescue inhalers
Both of these two types include other sub-types of medications.
Maintenance Inhalers
Maintenance inhalers — also known as control asthma medications — keep you from having asthma flare-ups. They control the underlying illness so that you have fewer asthma attacks. If you have moderate to severe asthma, you should be using a maintenance medication all the time to prevent breathing problems.
Steroids
Steroids are medications that mimic your body’s natural adrenal response. They decrease the inflammation that asthma causes in your airways. This effectively prevents asthma attacks.
The most common steroid inhalers are:
- Flovent
- Pulmicort
- QVAR
Steroid inhalers are a very effective way to control your asthma. However, when you use steroids for a long time, they can have serious side effects. Monitor your health carefully when you use this type of inhaler.
Long-Acting Beta Agonists
Long-acting beta-agonists, or LABAs, act on your lungs to relax your airways. They are usually used as an adjunct to other inhaler types to control your breathing.
Maintenance asthma medication is also available as a combination of steroids and LABAs. Combination inhalers, such as symbicort, use both types of medication to prevent asthma attacks.
Rescue Inhalers
Even if you’re treating your asthma with controller inhalers, you can still have an asthma attack. This means that your airways get irritated, causing them to constrict. You may experience coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
When you have an attack, a rescue inhaler stops the attack so you can breathe again. Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) are the most common rescue medications that can relieve your asthma symptoms right away. SABAs are sold under brand names such as:
- Ventolin
- Albuterol
- Maxair
Anticholinergic medications are another type of asthma rescue inhaler. This type of medication, including Spiriva, helps to open your airways. It also dries up some of the secretions that fill your airways during an asthma attack.
Find the Right Asthma Inhalers for You
Asthma may be a common condition, but your journey with asthma is as unique as you are. There’s no one-size-fits-all way of treating asthma.
With these tips, though, you’ll be able to understand the different asthma medications at your disposal. You can choose the types of asthma inhalers that fit your needs. Whether you need one inhaler or a combination of medications, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
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