If you have symptoms of asthma more than twice a week or if you wake up during the night with symptoms of asthma more than twice a month, your asthma is not under control. Ask your family doctor to help you get your asthma under control. Then, do your part and take your medicines regularly.
Triamcinolone is used to help prevent asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. For those who must take corticosteroids by mouth to control their asthma, triamcinolone can be used to help decrease the dose of the medication that must be taken by mouth. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It works to make breathing easier by reducing the swelling of the airways in the lungs, and decreasing phlegm and other asthma symptoms.
Another kind of asthma medicine is quick-relief or rescue medicine (also called bronchodilators). These medicines dilate the airways (make them bigger) and make it easier for you to breathe. These inhaled medicines should only be used for quick relief when you are coughing or wheezing, or when your chest feels tight.
Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs). These asthma medications are part of a group of medications called bronchodilators, which open up constricted airways. Long-acting beta-2 agonists, such as salmeterol (Serevent Diskus) and formoterol (Foradil Aerolizer) last at least 12 hours. They're used to control moderate and severe asthma and to prevent nighttime symptoms. Salmeterol or formoterol should always be combined on a regular schedule with inhaled corticosteroids and should not be used as the main treatment for asthma.
Anti-inflammatory drugs. This is the most important type of therapy for most people with asthma because these asthma medications prevent asthma attacks on an ongoing basis. Steroids, also called "corticosteroids," are an important type of anti-inflammatory medication for people suffering from asthma. These asthma medications reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers.
Cromolyn (Intal) has been used for 30 years and has very few side effects. An inhaled anti-inflammatory; nedocromil, may also be prescribed. Inhaled corticosteroids are the most used medication. They are very effective and safe but should always be given with a spacer device in the recommended dose to prevent side effects, primarily throat irritation due to yeast infection.
Asthma medications are divided into two groups: those for prevention and long-term control of inflammation and those that provide quick relief for asthma attacks. Most people with persistent asthma need to use long-term medications daily. Quick-relief medications are used as needed and provide rapid relief of symptoms during asthma attacks.
Reliever medications, sometimes referred to as rescue medications, help stop the symptoms of an asthma attack. They are used as needed and are most effective when used at the first sign of asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Reliever medications are also commonly used to help prevent asthma symptoms caused by exercise.
These medications can be given in a variety of ways. Some of them are inhaled, while others may be taken as a pill or liquid, or even as an injection. The steroids taken by mouth can have more side effects than those that are inhaled. Inhaled steroids are safe and effective controller medications and should be taken every day. Consult your child's physician about the best choice for your child.
