Like all medications of modern science, the asthma drug list continues to grow as advances are made.. unfortunately, the side effects of many of these lifesaving medications are also issues we need to deal with. Whenever you feel depressed because of your asthmatic problem, rejoice in the joy that you were born in this time in human history when mankind has advanced in many areas, especially medically.



If you travel in time to, say, a hundred years back, you will see how terrible asthmatic victims suffered. At that time in human history, medicine was not advanced as it is today. There were hardly any helpful asthma drugs to use for preventing or treating the condition. Still, it was also theorized that asthma wasn't as prevalent in the old days simply because we allowed children to come into contact with many pathegens that gave them immunity to certain conditions.

Many people who had the condition at this point in history were left with no choice but to suffer the attacks whenever it occurred.

But today there are many asthma drugs that can help to prevent attacks and even to treat a serious asthmatic case - thereby prevent death. The asthma drugs are grouped under two categories- the quick relief medicines (also known as relievers) and the long-term medicines (also known as preventers).

Some of these reliever and preventer asthma drugs include:

- Inhaled corticosteroid (also known as 'steroids' for short) - These types of asthma drugs help you by reducing the swelling of your airways. With this reduction, there is less likelihood an asthmatic attack.

- Bronchodilators- These types of asthma drugs are not anti-inflammatory but are used by asthma victims to control the condition and prevent certain symptoms.

- Leukotriene modifiers- These types of asthma drugs can help you to treat mild cases of asthma.

- Theophylline- is a type of asthma drug that you can use to treat mild cases of asthma and also moderate cases.

To get the best use of these asthmatic drugs, make sure you take them with a doctor's guide. Most importantly, make sure you take the right dose. You don't want to make your condition worse by taking the wrong doses.

Note that these medicines are mostly taken as inhalers. There is a reason for this. It is so that you can breathe them in through your nose for it to be delivered where it is required most - in your lungs. It is also so that it can start working much faster.

. Shortness of breath that gradually builds up and leads to difficulty in speaking,

. Gasping for breath while talking,

. Tightening of the victim's chest,

. Loud wheezing (raspy or whistling sound when breathing) and a more intensified coughing,

. Flared nostrils of victims and tightening of the neck muscles.

. Bluish lips of the victims and fingernails.

At this display of these last symptoms of asthma, it is a serious indication of danger. Blue lips and fingernails are an indication that the person isn't getting enough oxygen to deliver into the bloodstream. Whenever you experience any 3 or more of the above symptoms of asthma, then you should know the situation could be dangerous to the victim.

Be vigilant however as many of these same symptoms can be caused by simple allergies. Once again however, it's important to recognize the symptoms and the severity to determine the right course of action. If in doubt, immediately seek medical attention for the person in distress.

Some people are very lucky to notice the early symptoms of asthma before it becomes critical; while some don't even see it coming until it suddenly hits them... and brings them to their knees. Be on the look out for the above symptoms of asthma... so that you can stay protected all the time and be able to quickly take the necessary medication when it occurs.