Understanding asthma treatments

The goal is to control symptoms, improve lung function, and prevent asthma attacks.

Your healthcare professional will aim to do this with as little medicine as possible.

Inhalers

Inhalers are devices that let you breathe medicine into your airways. They are the primary treatment for asthma.

Inhalers usually come in two forms:

• A preventer inhaler (to prevent symptoms from happening)
• A reliever inhaler (used as quick relief when symptoms come on)

Some people need an inhaler that does both. This is usually called a combination inhaler.

The goal of your preventer inhaler is to minimise symptoms. It works by reducing the inflammation in your lungs. This means you will be less likely to react to your triggers.

Your reliever inhaler relaxes the muscles in your airways when symptoms come on. If you have an asthma attack, your reliever inhaler can be a lifesaver.

Preventer inhalers are usually brown (and other colours). Reliever inhalers are usually blue.

Speak to your healthcare professional if:

• You use your reliever inhaler more than twice per week (4 puffs)
• You have only have a reliever inhaler

Are there other treatments?

You may be recommended other treatments. These include preventer tablets and steroid tablets. Inhalers that last longer are also an option. Speak to your healthcare professional for advice.

Other ways to control your asthma

Alongside your medicine, other things may help. Some people can better manage their asthma by trying the following:

• Breathing exercises
• Losing weight
• Giving up smoking

If all other treatments are not helping, your healthcare professional may recommend the following:

• Monoclonal antibodies
• Injections
• Bronchial termoplasty

These are usually only tried when a person has severe asthma.

Work-related asthma

Asthma caused by your work is known as occupational asthma. If this is thought to be what you have, you'll be referred to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis.

Your employer has a responsibility to protect you from the causes of occupational asthma.

More information on specialist treatments is available at the end of this article.

Treating asthma attacks

If you have an asthma attack, the first line of treatment is your blue reliever inhaler.

This can quickly get symptoms under control.

If you need to be treated in the hospital, you'll be given a higher dose of reliever medicine. This is sometimes done through a nebuliser. You will also be given oxygen.

When to call 999:

• If symptoms do not improve after 10 puffs of your reliever inhaler (taken 30-60 seconds apart)
• If you feel worse at any point