Treatment of asthma is most successful when a person follows a treatment plan that is designed by his or her doctor. The plan must include a strategy for long-term and short-term treatment of mild, moderate and severe attacks.

Treatment for asthma may include:

• Inhaled medications:
• Bronchodilator medications for asthma
• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Oral corticosteroids
• Nebulizer therapy for asthma
• Oral medications for asthma
• Montelukast (Singular)
• Zafirlukast (Accolate)
• Zileuton (Zyflo)
• Cromolyn (Intal)
• Asthma clinical trials
• Mechanical ventilation:
• Use of a ventilator to support breathing in severe asthma

General treatment for an asthma attack includes:

• Relax and remain calm.
• Remain in a sitting position: do not lay down.
• Measure peak expiratory flow rate before treatment.
• Use an inhaler or nebulizer as directed.
• Measure peak expiratory flow rate after treatment.
• Seek medical care if:
• Symptoms worsen
• Symptoms do not improve with treatment
• Peak expiratory flow rate is in the red zone.