Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

The key risk factor for asthma attack is exposure
to a substance that initiates a hypersensitivity
reaction. Most people can easily identify these
substances after experiencing a few asthma
attacks, and avoiding exposure to known allergens
significantly reduces attacks. A wide range of irri-
tants can cause asthma attacks in many people,
however, making it impossible to avoid exposure.
As well, for some people triggers for asthma
attacks include emotional stress and physical exer-
tion, common elements of everyday life.

Health experts have identified a number of fac-

tors that appear to increase an individual’s risk for

developing asthma. Key among them are

• living in cities, where the concentration of par-
  ticulate pollutants in the air is high


• family history of asthma


• recurrent upper respiratory INFECTIONas a child
  
  
  • cigarette smoking or exposure to ENVIRONMENTAL
    CIGARETTE SMOKE
  
  
  
  

asthma 189

MEDICATIONS TO TREAT ASTHMA

Type of Medication Common Products Type of Relief Asthma Classification
beta-2 agonists, inhaled albuterol (Airet, Proventil, short-acting steps 1, 2, 3, or 4
Ventolin), bitolterol (Tornalate), rescue
pirbuterol (Maxair)

beta-2 agonists, oral long-acting: salmeterol (Serevent), long-acting: controller steps 2, 3, and 4
albuterol extended release medication, especially
(Volmax, Proventil Repetabs) at night
short-acting: terbutaline (Brethine, short-acting: rescue
Bricanyl)

corticosteroids, inhaled beclomethasone (Qvar, Vanceril), long-acting steps 2, 3, and 4
budesonide (Pulmicort), flunisolide controller medication
(AeroBid), fluticasone (Flovent),
triamcinolone (Azmacort)

corticosteroids, oral methylprednisolone (Medrol), short-acting steps 3 and 4
prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), controller medication for
prednisolone (Prelone) symptoms that do not
respond to other medications
rescue

leukotriene modifiers, oral zafirlukast (Accolate), zileuton long-acting steps 3 and 4,
(Zyflo) controller medication occasionally step 2

other, inhaled ipratropium (Atrovent), cromolyn short-acting steps 3 and 4
(Intal), nedocromil (Tilade) rescue
prophylactic when used
before intense physical
exercise

other, oral theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, long-acting step 3, occasionally
Aerolate, Slo-Phyllin) step 2