If you or a loved one suffers from chronic asthma, it is important that you understand the basic acute asthma treatment guidelines and the recommended methods for managing asthma symptoms. Whether you are looking for a natural asthma treatment or a rescue inhaler such as generic Proventil HFA, it is helpful to understand how these medications act to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate asthma. During an asthma attack, three things can happen. First, the smooth muscle tissue surrounding the bronchioles (air passages in your lungs) may contract, literally squeezing the airways and making it difficult for air to pass through them. Second, the delicate tissue inside the bronchioles may become inflamed due to the irritation caused by asthma triggers (environmental allergens or irritants that can set off an asthma attack).
Third, the inflamed bronchioles often produce mucus inexcessive amounts, further blocking the airways. During a mild to moderate asthma attack, you may experience wheezing (a whistling sound from the air passages), shortness of breath and fits of coughing. The most commonly prescribed inhaled asthma medication is albuterol, more commonly known as Proventil HFA. Proventil works by relaxing the muscles that constrict the airways during an asthma attack, expanding the airways and permitting breathing to return to normal. Generic Proventil HFA works more quickly than other bronchodilators, with fewer side effects than other inhaled asthma medications. Another effective type of medication used for mild to moderate asthma attacks is an inhaled corticosteroid. These medications relieve the inflammation that blocks the airways, easing the passage of air through the lungs. It is critical that asthma sufferers and their caregivers recognize the differences between a mild asthma attack and an acute, severe asthma event. The signs of an acute attack may include continual coughing, along with breathlessness, a blue tint to the lips, and a closed feeling in the chest. A person having a severe asthma attack (also known as status asthmaticus) may have trouble speaking in complete sentences without running out of breath and may feel breathless even while lying down. During an acute attack of asthma, an individual may constantly change positions, hunching or stretching in an attempt to free the airways.
Generic Proventil HFA may be used to head off a severe attack, but in some cases it may not work. Severe asthma treatments often include injected epinephrine, and in the worst cases, a ventilator may be necessary. Because status asthmaticus can result in respiratory failure and even death if it is not treated immediately, this condition is considered a medical emergency. If you or someone in your care is having a severe asthma attack, follow the acute asthma treatment guidelines recommended by the doctor and seek immediate medical care.
