How is asthma normally treated?
Treatment of mild asthma usually tries to relieve occasional symptoms as they occur by use of short-acting, inhaled bronchodilators. Treatment of moderate or severe asthma, however, attempts to alleviate both the constriction and inflammation of the airways, through the use of both bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories. Bronchodilators are drugs which open up or dilate the constricted airways, while drugs aimed at reducing inflammation of the airways are called anti-inflammatories. For asthma which is strongly triggered by allergies, allergen avoidance can often greatly reduce the amount of medication needed to control the asthma. Taking anti-allergic medications or taking shots for allergy desensitization are other alternatives. For more information about allergen avoidance and allergies in general, please see the alt.support.asthma FAQ: Allergies — General Information (still under construction). Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (usually inhaled corticosteroids) daily for moderate to
