If you have asthma, you know how terrifying it is when a asthma attack gives the feeling that the air has been sucked out of the room and you have difficulty breathing.
But asthma attacks are not only scary, they can also be life -threatening for some people. And they are a sign that their asthma is not controlled well.
A frequent treatment option is anti -inflammatory medication that is referred to as corticosteroids and which have long been a contact point for asthma. They come in an inhaled and oral form. If you use oral corticosteroids (OCS), you should know that there are risks and you may have to talk to your health service provider (HCP) about changing your treatment plan.
What you need to know about oral corticosteroids
OCS are liquid or pill form medication that suppress the immune system to reduce and prevent inflammation and swelling by acute asthma attacks or flickers and for some cases of heavy asthma.
OCS are usually prescribed for five to seven days, which is also called round or steroid outbreak. And while OCS effectively reduce symptoms, you can lead to side effects and serious health problems.
Side effects of short -term taking oral corticosteroids can include the following:
- Weight gain in the stomach, face or neck
- Weak muscles
- insomnia
- High blood sugar level
- Hypertension
- Swelling in lower legs
- heartburn
- Trimming
- Irritability and mood changes
- depression
- Fear
Side effects of long-term OCS use can include:
- High blood sugar level/pre-diabetes
- Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Hypertension
- Cataract
- glaucoma
- Thin skin
- Increased risk of infection
- Bone loss and osteoporosis
- Hormonal weight
There are several asthma medication available to reduce the inflammation in the airways. OCS differ from other options because they can influence the whole body and lead to serious health problems.
Read: Why asthma gets worse in cold weather >>
Potential overuse of oral corticosteroids
Despite the health risks associated with OCS, the investigation shows that the drug can be overlooked and can be described excessively. A survey showed that almost 8 out of 10 people with an asthma specialist received a recipe for oral corticosteroids from another HCP who was not her specialist.
Although oral corticosteroids are effective and can help with severe or acute symptoms if necessary, excessive use of OCS can be a red flag that requires your treatment plan to upgrade.
How do you know if you may oversee steroid medication? According to the newly published Global Initiative for Asthma (Gina) guidelines, two or more OCS rounds in one year are a sign that their maintenance drugs do not work well enough.
You should talk to your HCP about your treatment plan if you have one of these signs that your asthma is not well controlled:
- Use any amount of OCS to check your asthma, especially if you use two or more rounds in one year
- Take a rescue inhaler more than twice a week
- Waking up at night due to asthma symptoms more than twice a month
- Fill your rescue inhaler more than twice a year
- Experience changes in top currents of more than 20%
Alternative options for OCS
Gina guidelines recommend reducing the use of OCS with safer alternatives. Alternative treatments on OCS for asthma can include:
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS): Corticosteroids that are delivered via inhaler or atomizer. ICS are not systemic and concentrate on the airways, which means that they are more secure than OCS and are secure in the long term.
- Fast relief medication: Inhalable short-air beta aggalists (SABAS) work quickly to relax the muscles to relax their airways so that they can breathe better. They deliver within minutes, but are not recommended for long -term use.
- Biologics: Biologics for asthma target specific cells or block specific molecules to prevent swelling within the airways. The drug is administered by injection or infusion.
- Controller medication: These daily prevention help with the control of asthma symptoms by fixing underlying problems such as the production and swelling of the excess mucosa. ICS are the most common type of controller medication that can be combined with long-looking beta agonists in order to keep the airways clear. Leukotrienereptor -antagonists -tablets are also controller and can help reduce the effects of inflammatory chemicals in the body.
Talk about your increased symptoms
If you have taken OCS for an asthma flare eup, attack or for increased symptoms more than twice a year, talk to your HCP about your treatment plan. It is also a good idea to make an appointment to see an asthma specialist if you don’t have one yet. Then take a deep breath – you have that.
This educational resource was created with the support of Regeneron and Sanofi, a healthy member of the company.
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