Since my daughter had a major flare-up of her asthma, I’ve had asthma on my mind.

I am feeling so fortunate to live in the 21st century, with access to effective treatments for asthma.

In the not-too-distant past, it’s likely my daughter would have needed to be hospitalized for her condition. Fifty years ago, she might not have survived.

Now, after one visit to the pediatrician, several breathing treatments in the office, an injection of steroids, two prescription medications and nebulizer treatments given at home, she is breathing easy once again.

Asthma can be triggered by respiratory viruses, such as the common cold or flu. Other triggers are cold air and allergens of all kinds: cigarette smoke, dust, mold and animal dander are just a few examples.

During an asthma attack, the airways in the lungs become inflamed and constricted, making it hard to move air in and out. A bout of asthma can be mild, with minor wheezing, or it can be life-threatening.

The main symptoms of asthma are chest tightness, feeling short of breath, wheezing – usually heard during exhalation – and coughing.

The first type of medication given during an asthma attack is usually a bronchodilator – an inhaled medication that opens up the airways. Bronchodilators, such as albuterol, act quickly, but their effects wear off after a few hours. There are also long-acting bronchodilators, such as salmeterol, which don’t work as quickly, but they last longer.

Bronchodilators can be given with a hand-held inhaler, or via a nebulizer machine, which creates a mist of medication that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs. Nebulizer treatments are especially useful for infants and young children.

Inhaled steroids are another type of asthma medication. These work by reducing the inflammation of the airways. Many people with persistent asthma symptoms need to take inhaled steroids daily to control their symptoms.

Oral or injectable steroids, such as prednisone, are given during acute asthma attacks or to treat very severe asthma. Because of their side effects, especially when used long-term, they are not the drug of choice for long-term management of asthma in most cases.

There are other asthma medications available as well. Also, some people with asthma must take allergy medications or get allergy-desensitization shots to decrease the chances of triggering an asthma attack if exposed to an allergen.

Prevention of asthma symptoms is a challenge. Some people have obvious triggers – such as cigarette smoke or cats – that they can avoid fairly easily. Many triggers are difficult to avoid entirely – such as cold air, respiratory viruses, dust and pollen.

Anyone with a diagnosis of asthma, no matter how mild, needs to talk with their health care provider and create a good plan of action in case of a flare-up of symptoms. The plan should be written down, and reviewed regularly to make sure it’s working.

It’s a good idea to keep an extra bronchodilator inhaler on hand for when you are away from home – especially when you’ll be far from medical care. If you travel or go camping, keep an extra inhaler in your first aid kit. Quick treatment of mild symptoms is the best way to prevent severe symptoms from developing.

Kathryn B. Brown worked as a registered nurse and a family nurse practitioner before going to work for the East Oregonian. She and her husband live in Pendleton with their two children. She can be reached at (kbbrown@eastoregonian.com)