What is a common treatment for an asthma attack to reduce inflammation?

The correct answer is corticosteroids, which are typically used to reduce inflammation in the airways during an asthma attack. Asthma is characterized by inflammation, bronchial constriction, and increased mucus production, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Corticosteroids function by decreasing inflammation in the airways, which helps to alleviate these symptoms and improve airflow.

Corticosteroids can be administered in various forms, including oral, IV, or inhaled, with inhaled corticosteroids often used for long-term management and oral or IV forms used for acute exacerbations. They address the underlying inflammatory process, making them a critical component of asthma treatment protocols, especially during exacerbations.

Other options may play roles in asthma management, but they serve different purposes. For instance, bronchodilators primarily work by relaxing the muscle around the airways, promoting immediate relief of bronchospasm but do not directly treat inflammation. Antihistamines are more relevant in allergic reactions and are less effective for asthma inflammation. Inhaled narcotics are typically not used in asthma treatment and could lead to respiratory depression, which is contraindicated in an asthmatic patient experiencing an attack.