Asthma Treatment

Definition of asthma treatment Treatment of asthma can be divided into long-term control and quick relief medicines. Description treatment of asthma A long-term control medications are taken daily to maintain control of persistent asthma. They are mainly used to control the inflammation of the airways. The rapid relief medications are taken to achieve a quick reversal of acute asthma attack by relaxing the smooth muscle of the bronchi. Many asthma medications can be administered orally or by inhalation. Inhalateurs-doseurs (MDI) is the most widely used method, dry powder inhalers, but are becoming increasingly popular. Inhalateurs-doseurs are changing the type of liquefied propelled by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) for a new, CFC-free delivery system (see the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute review on the new MDI at http://www. nhlbi.nih. government / public health / lung / asthma / mdi.htm). Nébuliseur treatment is reserved for patients who are unable to use the MDI because of the difficulties of coordination. Text continued belowThe symptoms of asthma Asthma see the report. Treatment of asthma Asthma can not be cured, but it can be controlled by proper management of asthma. The first step in managing asthma is environmental control. Asthmatiques can escape to the environment, but with some modifications, they can control its impact on their health. Below is a list of ways to change the environment in order to reduce the risk of an asthma attack: Clean the house at least once a week and wear a mask while doing it Avoid fur or feathers Wash bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water Encase mattresses, box springs and pillows to the test of dust covers Replace the litter from the bottom, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials Consider replace upholstered furniture with leather or vinyl Consider replacing the carpeting with hardwood floors or tiles Use the air conditioner Keep the humidity in the house low The second step is to monitor lung function. Asthmatiques use a peak flow meter to measure their lung function. The lung function decreases until symptoms of an asthma attack-usually two or three days before. If the meter shows the peak flow is down 20 percent or more of your usual best effort, an asthma attack is under way. The third step in the management of asthma involves the use of medication. There are two main groups of drugs used in the control of asthma, anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids) and bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatories reduce the number of inflammatory cells in the airways and prevent blood vessels leak fluid in the tissues of the respiratory tract. By reducing inflammation, it reduces spontaneous muscle spasm in the air. Anti-inflammatories are used as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of acute asthma attacks. Corticosteroids are given by inhalation in two ways: through a metered dose inhaler (MDI) or orally by pill / tablet or liquid form. Inhaled Steroids are flunisolide (AeroBid), triamcinolone (Azmacort) and beclomethasone (Beclovent and Vaceril). The oral steroids (pill / tablets) are prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten or Paracort), methylprednisolone (Medrol) and prednisolone (Delta Cortef and Sterane). The oral steroids (liquid form) are Pedipred and Prelone. These liquid forms are used for children with asthma. Three drug, zafirlukast (Accolate), montelukast (Singulair) and zileuton (Zyflo), are part of a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs called leukotriene modifiers. Taken orally, these drugs work by inhibiting leukotrienes (fatty acids that inflammation mediator) from binding to smooth muscle cells lining the airways. They also reduce the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the respiratory tract. These drugs prevent and reduce the symptoms, and are intended for long-term use. Other inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs include cromolyn sodium (Intal) and nedrocromil (Tilade). Bronchodilators work by increasing the diameter of the airways and ease the flow of gas to and from the lungs. They are two basic forms-short-acting and long-acting. Bronchodilators short-acting are metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), ephedrine, terbutaline (Brethaire) and albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin). These drugs are inhaled and are used to relieve the symptoms during acute asthma attacks. Bronchodilators long-acting are salmeterol (Serevent), metaproterenol (Alupent), and theophylline (Aerolate, Bronkodyl, Slo-phyllin, Theo-Dur to name a few). Serevent and Alupent are inhaled and theophylline is taken orally. These drugs are sometimes used to help control the symptoms in special circumstances, such as during sleep or when exposure to irritants particular intensity can be predicted (ie pollen season). Atrophine sulfate (Atrovent) is another very effective bronchodilator. The drug opens the airways by blocking reflexes through the nerves that control the muscles lung. Some people can not control the symptoms by avoiding triggers or using drugs. For these people, immunotherapy (allergy shots) may help. Immunotherapy involves the injection of extracts of allergens "desensitize" the person. The treatment begins with the injection of a solution of the allergen given to five times a week, with the strength to rise gradually. Note: Asthmatics vary considerably in their responses to different types, mixtures and quantities of drugs to therapy must be carefully tailored to the individual. Even drug that may work well with some asthmatics can be effective for others. Please discuss your situation with your doctor and two of you will determine a management course that suits you best. Prevention of Asthma Periodic assessments and control of asthma are essential to determine if the treatment is appropriate. Patients need to understand how to use a peak flow meter and understand the symptoms and signs of a worsening asthma. Regular monitoring visits (at least every six months) are important to maintain asthma control and to reappraise the medicines needed. Patients with persistent asthma should be given an annual influenza vaccine.