Asthma: Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids - Assignment Example

Long-term asthma control medications include; inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs), theophylline, and a combination of inhalers that contain both corticosteroids and LABA. Inhaled corticosteroids include Fluticasone, Budesonide, Mometasone, Beclomethasone, and Ciclesonide (Naff and Clay 2010).

Inhaled corticosteroids have a few side effects which include; one may experience a thrush when taking higher doses and on rare occasions, hoarseness may occur. One should regularly rinse the mouth, gargle after using the asthma inhaler and use a spacer device with metered dose inhaler. The intended treatment outcomes include; reduced frequency of asthma attacks, reduced use of beta-agonist bronchodilators, and improvement of lung functions, reduction of emergency hospital visits and hospitalizations (Krauss 2003).

A peak flow meter gauges how air moves out of one’s lungs. Measuring one’s peak flow is an important part of managing asthmatic symptoms as well as asthma attacks. The reading from this device helps the patient to detect changes that may be signs of worsening asthma. Thus one is alerted of the tightening of airways days or hours before the onset of asthma symptoms or attacks (Krauss 2003).