What is the purpose of using systemic steroids in asthma treatment?

Using systemic steroids in asthma treatment is primarily aimed at providing acute treatment during exacerbations or severe asthma attacks. Systemic steroids, such as prednisone, are potent anti-inflammatory agents that work quickly to reduce airway inflammation and swelling, thus alleviating symptoms and restoring normal breathing. In situations where a patient experiences a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms or an acute asthma attack, systemic steroids can rapidly stabilize the condition by decreasing inflammation in the lungs and improving airflow.

While long-term maintenance therapy and preventative care are essential aspects of managing asthma, they typically involve different classes of medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids or long-acting bronchodilators. Scheduled daily use is more relevant to medications aimed at maintaining baseline lung function rather than responding to acute events. Systemic steroids are usually reserved for short-term use during specific episodes of exacerbation rather than ongoing management in asthmatic patients.