One type of maintenance med is an anticholinergic such as tiotropium bromide.
"This class of medications work to block the messages [that make] your airways tighten," she says. "You take one inhalation a day, and it works to keep airways open for 24 hours."
If chronic inflammation causes swelling in your airways, your doctor may prescribe an inhaled corticosteroid alone, or in combination with a long-acting beta-agonist such as fluticasone and salmeterol, Martin says.
Rescue drugs take effect within a few minutes. They relax the muscles that are trying to squeeze the airways closed, allowing them to stay open, she says. Short-acting beta-agonist rescue medications work within a couple minutes, and last about four hours. Longer acting beta-agonists don't take effect for 15-20 minutes, but last up to 12 hours. Check with your health-care provider about what's right for you.
How do you know which medications to take?
"You have to know yourself and what your comfort level is," she says. "Talk to your doctor, describe how you're feeling and come to an understanding about when it's smart to reach for a rescue medication."
Whichever maintenance medication you take, it's important to use it daily. Don't stop taking your medication as soon as you feel better, Martin says.
"That's the key," she adds. "Many times, patients feel so much better that they think they don't have to take these maintenance meds anymore. But actually, it's the daily use of these medications that's making the person do so well."
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