When you’re living with asthma, taking prescribed medication is the only way to keep your symptoms under control. In some cases, your medication can prevent a fatal event. As important as they are, though, the medication you take can have significant side effects that you need to manage.
This issue is most common with inhaled corticosteroids. These types of drugs are usually given to people who are at risk for a severe asthma attack but don’t need hospitalization. Unfortunately, the medication can irritate your throat and mouth. Rinsing the mouth after using an oral corticosteroid can help to reduce your risk of a sore throat.
Once again, inhaled corticosteroids are the likely cause of this kind of oral infection. Over time, the irritating ingredients can leave your mouth susceptible to the fungus that leads to thrush. This can be easily treated with oral medication.
Studies show that high doses of steroids can reduce bone density and increase the risk of osteoporosis in adults. This is even more likely if you’ve been taking the medication for more than six months.
Doctors may prescribe short- and long-acting beta-agonists to control your symptoms. The short-acting medication works immediately while the long-acting ones typically work over a 12-hour period. While they’re effective, both of them can cause dizziness.
Headaches are another side effect of short and long-acting beta-agonists. This risk increases if you’re using your medication more often than recommended. Of course, doing that can mean that your medical regimen is no longer effective and you need a new one.
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Weight gain and fluid retention are typical side effects of steroids. These issues occur because steroids impact your metabolism as well as how your body stores fat and water. As a result, you might gain weight and notice swelling in your extremities.
Fluid retention can negatively affect the balance of water and sodium in your body. As such, you may develop high blood pressure or your condition may get worse if you already have it.
This health problem is similar to what causes high blood pressure because steroids can impact the balance of sugars in your blood. It’s important to bring this to your doctor’s attention as elevated blood sugar increases your risk of developing diabetes.
Sometimes, doctors prescribe leukotriene modifiers because they prevent inflammation that narrows airways. Unfortunately, they can also have a significant effect on your mental health. Some people have reported anxiety, depression, and aggression.
Another effect of taking leukotriene modifiers is that you may have trouble sleeping. This may be more noticeable in those who never had issues sleeping before while those with sleep disorders may see their symptoms getting worse.
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If you’re having undesirable side effects from your asthma medication, the first step is to talk to your doctor. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, there may be alternatives to what you’re taking. In cases where there aren’t, your doctor can work with you to determine how to best manage the side effects. For example, painkillers can be used to manage headaches, diuretics can help with fluid retention, and infections can be treated with the relevant drugs. Using a spacer with your inhaler can reduce the likelihood of sore throat or thrush but doctors also recommend rinsing your mouth afterward.
You must let your doctor know about the side effects instead of treating them yourself because over-the-counter drugs can have negative interactions with your asthma medications. Additionally, your doctor will be able to keep track of worsening side effects over time, which can influence changes in your routine to avoid other health conditions.
While you must take the medicine that’s been prescribed for your asthma, you also need to know what side effects to expect. Some of them are easy to manage but others can be trickier. In either case, it’s best to talk to your doctor about your symptoms so they can guide you on the way forward.
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