Treatments for Asthma

You and your doctor will create an asthma action plan. This is a plan you will follow to help control your asthma and handle asthma attacks. Medications and lifestyle changes are the mainstay of asthma treatment. Alternative and complementary therapies are also under investigation to determine whether they may play a role in treatment, as well.

The goals of treatment are:

Relieve acute symptoms
Reduce underlying inflammation
Remove triggers
Prevent future exacerbations

Treatment involves the following:

Lifestyle changes Medications Other treatments Alternative and complementary treatments

At this time, there are no surgical procedures for the treatment of asthma.

References

American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology website. Available at: http://www.acaai.org. Accessed July, 2008.

Asthma in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated September 7, 2012. Accessed September 13, 2012.

Asthma exacerbation in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated August 27, 2012. Accessed September 13, 2012.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ . Accessed July, 2008.

Thakkar K, Boatright RO, Gilger MA, El-Serag HB. Gastroesophageal reflux and asthma in children: a systematic review. Pediatrics. 2010;125(4):e925-930.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Brian Randall, MD
Review Date: 10/2012
Update Date: 10/11/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.