Asthma is caused by INFLAMMATION of a person’s airways. This inflammation can be caused by a number of different triggers.

The symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath

• Tightness in the chest

• Coughing

• Wheezing.

 

HOW DO YOU TREAT ASTHMA?

• Avoid your triggers. (This especially includes smoking, you smoke or live with people who smoke!)

• Inhaled (puffer) medications. (See below for more information on puffers).

• Sometimes, for specific cases of asthma, your doctor may prescribe oral medications, like Singulair.

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HOW DO THE PUFFERS HELP YOUR ASTHMA?

 

There are 2 main types of puffer medications:

1. Bronchodilators: these medications dilate your airways. In there words, they relax them; they open them up; they make them wider or larger. This allows you to breathe more air into your lungs. Bronchodilator medications are a quick “rescue” help for your asthma. They make you feel better quickly, but only temporarily.  They do not prevent the underlying inflammation that causes asthma attacks. 

2. Inhaled Steroids: these decrease the inflammation in your airways. They get at the root cause of asthma. They take time (days to weeks) to take effect and they must be taking regularly every day in order to help you. 

 

 

The following video nicely explains how these two types of puffers work. The video is intended for children, but it still shows clear and useful information for adults too!: