The Dangerous Side Effects Of Asthma Medications
What Causes Asthma?
The most common chronic illness among children is asthma, affecting one out of 15 in North America alone. In addition, 5% of all adults also suffer from this disease. People who have this problem are suffering a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes in their lungs. When exposed to irritants, these tubes swell and constrict breathing.
There are a number of reasons for this illness to occur. Living environments containing smoke, dust mites, animal dander and allergens are some of the common environmental causes. Allergy to pollen grains, air pollutants from heavy traffic and strong smells also comes under this classification. There are also genetic factors which can result in it.
Common Symptoms
There are several common symptoms that indicate a person has this disease but it can vary from person to person. They are shortness of breath, wheezing with a whistling or hissing sound when breathing, coughing, and tightness of the chest. They tend to show themselves with excessive exercise, cold air, or at night time.
The Goals Of Medical Treatment
The drugs and dosages depend on the indications and the stage of asthma that a person has. After a physical exam to identify severity of attacks and a medical history to list possible triggers, a doctor will plan a long-term treatment of medications. These will be taken on a daily basis to control symptoms.
Types Of Asthma Medications
Asthma medications are classified into a number of categories. The most prominent ones are those which give instant relief from the symptoms. They are called rescue drugs. Another category is one of preventative drugs which prevent symptoms from happening. In some cases, hospitalization becomes necessary and a patient need to be put on an artificial respiration. This is mainly when the lungs and airways are highly inflamed and voluntary inhalation becomes improbable.
Any individual suffering with this illness should look for relief from this uncomfortable condition. One should check with an experienced doctor for the available options. Medications must be closely supervised by a doctor. So tell your doctor about any good reactions or bad side effects as soon as it happens.
Possible Side Effects
Unfortunately, there are often side effects from medications and this is no exception. Some people can take asthma medication with no ill effects. With others, a number of side effects have been reported. Among those listed are high blood pressure, bone fractures, seizures, heart failure, a sense of panic, nausea, and vomiting just to name a few.
Asthma medication can also be purchased over the counter. When taking a drug for this condition, a person should go on the Internet to be sure that a more serious condition will not develop from the medicine. A person making any medication should very carefully read the enclosed literature regarding side effects. The manufacturer is required by law to list this information. Unfortunately, many people do not read it and suffer from its side effects. The best policy is to watch for side effects and tell your doctor if you have any new problems.
Overall, the goal of medical treatment is to control asthmatic symptoms as well as prevent any possible future episodes. When you have asthma, you need to be under the care of a doctor who can track the various changes of the disease and treat accordingly.
About the Author:
Lynn Versailles is a registered nurse and a life-long sufferer of asthma. She has personally been affected with this chronic respiratory problem and wishes to help others. Through years of research and life experiences, she shares her knowledge on how to properly manage asthma on http://www.safetreatmentsforasthma.com. To learn more, download The Ultimate Asthma Management Guide. It is a free online guide on medical treatments and natural remedies to help you to properly manage this illness.
