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Home > Learn More About Asthma > Understanding Asthma
Understanding Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease with two main components: inflammation (airway swelling and irritation) and bronchoconstriction (tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways).
The constriction and inflammation cause a narrowing of the airways, which may result in symptoms such as wheezing (difficulty breathing accompanied by a "whistling" sound), coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.
When you have asthma and are exposed to a "trigger," the airways in the lungs become more inflamed or swollen than usual, making it harder for you to breathe. The airways also get smaller due to a tightening of the muscles surrounding them. Finally, the airways can become congested due to a build-up of mucus.
Various triggers can cause constriction and inflammation to occur in your airways, resulting in a flare-up of asthma symptoms. Common triggers include tobacco smoke, dust mites, animal dander, cockroach droppings and remains, indoor mold, strong odors (like gasoline fumes, perfume, hairspray and paint), exercise, cold air, and viral upper respiratory infections (for example, colds). Once a person is exposed to a trigger and has a reaction, his/her airways also become more sensitive to other triggers. So, it's important to manage your asthma every day—even when you are not experiencing symptoms.
In general, there are two types of asthma medicines: long-term controller or preventative medications, and short-acting, symptom-relief medications like albuterol, sometimes called a "quick-relief" or "rescue" inhaler. Preventative medications help prevent symptoms from occurring in the first place and albuterol treats sudden symptoms when they do occur.
Preventative Medications—For preventing symptoms in the first place:
Taken regularly, preventative medications work by reducing constriction (narrowing of the airways in the lungs) and/or the inflammation (underlying swelling and irritation in the airways of your lungs). Many people need to treat both the inflammation and constriction for the best asthma control. Ask your healthcare professional for more information.
Inhaled corticosteroids (also called anti-inflammatory or preventative medications) are used to treat asthma because they help reduce the inflammation and mucus in the airways.
Reducing inflammation helps to:
- Improve lung function
- Prevent asthma symptoms
- Reduce the need for albuterol
Inhaled corticosteroids go directly to the airways of the lungs to help reduce the swelling and irritation (inflammation). There is growing evidence that inhaled corticosteroids may also help prevent lung damage that may occur when asthma is left untreated.
Cromolyn sodium and nedocromil are mild to moderate anti-inflammatory medications. These inhaled controller medications are occasionally used in children.
Long-acting bronchodilators are often used to complement anti-inflammatory medications in the treatment of asthma. Long-acting bronchodilators help keep the airways open by relaxing the airway muscles. They help to:
- Improve lung function
- Prevent asthma symptoms
- Reduce the need for albuterol
Leukotriene modifiers are oral medications that work on leukotrienes, which have a role in causing airway constriction and swelling. Leukotriene modifiers help to:
- Improve airflow
- Reduce asthma symptoms
Quick-relief (or rescue) Medications—For sudden symptoms or attacks:
A short-acting bronchodilator like albuterol helps relieve sudden asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. You should use your albuterol inhaler at the FIRST sign of symptoms. Albuterol works quickly to open the airways by relaxing the airway muscles. However, it does not provide long-term control of your asthma. Always carry your albuterol inhaler with you. If you need to use your albuterol inhaler more than twice a week, this may be a sign that your asthma is not being adequately controlled—be sure to talk to your healthcare professional.
Oral steroids are generally used only to help treat severe asthma attacks.
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