Asthma a respiratory disorder?
Asthma is an airway condition that has fastly increased in
prevalence over the last couple of decades. This may be due to the increase in
pollution, toxins and triggers in our environment.
However, with the increase in prevalence there is an increased motivation to find treatments to relieve and cure asthma. Presently asthma is incurable and treated by medications and pharmaceuticals that are required for the rest of the patient's life. Conventional medicine although effective at reducing inflammation and temporarily dilating the airways, has a potential risk for side effects. Additionally, there is no long-term solution with bronchodilators and asthma inhalers..Treatment and Control.There is no cure for asthma. Aim of management is to achieve control of the disease. This includes the following:· Prevent chronic and recurrent symptoms like nocturnal coughing
Both types of medications aim at reducing airway inflammation to control asthma.Initial treatment depends on how severe your asthma is. Follow up treatment depends on how well the patient follows the asthma action plan and how effective the action plan is.Note though that the asthma action plan will vary with changes in your lifestyle and social environment because different social exposures result in exposure to different allergens in your environment.
Asthma Action PlanEvery Asthma Action plan should be crafted to the individual patient. The plan should include the medication regime, avoidance of triggers, tracking of asthma attacks and actions to be taken should symptoms of asthma become progressively severe.It is best to work with your primary physician to draft your asthma action plan. The plan should describe all the above in detail.
In the case of children, parents and caregivers should know the child's asthma action plan. This should include babysitters, workers at day care centers, parents, schools and organizers of outdoor children activities.Avoidance of TriggersAn entire multitude of allergens have been documented to be linked to asthma. To the individual patient, the most important thing is to know what triggers asthma in you. Following that, know what steps to take when asthma is triggered.
Medications for AsthmaPlease consult with your primary physician for medications suitable for control of your asthma. Your primary physician will adjust the dose of medications as needed. If you have self adjusted the dose, you must inform your primary physician on your next visit.Generally speaking, medications for asthma can either be in the form of a pill, an injectable, or as a nebulized drug consumed via use of an inhaler. Nebulized drugs are inhaled directly into the lungs where it exerts its effects.
Please note that use of inhalers will require a certain technique and should be taught by a doctor or a trained health care provider.Medications targeting Long Term ControlChronic asthmatics will need medications to achieve long term control of their asthma. These medications work slowly and reduces airway inflammation.
Inhaled CorticosteroidsInhaled corticosteroids are most commonly used for long term control of asthma. They act by reducing inflammation in the airways of the lungs. Use of inhaled corticosteroids daily will greatly reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms.The most common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids is oral thrush. Use of a spacer when using the inhaled corticosteroid can reduce the incidence of oral thrush. Check with your primary physician if you are unsure of how to use a spacer. Simple rinsing of the mouth after cosuming inhaled corticosteroids can also reduce the incidence of oral thrush.Other long term medications:These include:· Cromolyn - This drug prevents airway inflammation and is used as a nebulized drug delivered via an inhaler.
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| Asthma a respiratory disorder? |
However, with the increase in prevalence there is an increased motivation to find treatments to relieve and cure asthma. Presently asthma is incurable and treated by medications and pharmaceuticals that are required for the rest of the patient's life. Conventional medicine although effective at reducing inflammation and temporarily dilating the airways, has a potential risk for side effects. Additionally, there is no long-term solution with bronchodilators and asthma inhalers..Treatment and Control.There is no cure for asthma. Aim of management is to achieve control of the disease. This includes the following:· Prevent chronic and recurrent symptoms like nocturnal coughing
Both types of medications aim at reducing airway inflammation to control asthma.Initial treatment depends on how severe your asthma is. Follow up treatment depends on how well the patient follows the asthma action plan and how effective the action plan is.Note though that the asthma action plan will vary with changes in your lifestyle and social environment because different social exposures result in exposure to different allergens in your environment.
Asthma Action PlanEvery Asthma Action plan should be crafted to the individual patient. The plan should include the medication regime, avoidance of triggers, tracking of asthma attacks and actions to be taken should symptoms of asthma become progressively severe.It is best to work with your primary physician to draft your asthma action plan. The plan should describe all the above in detail.
In the case of children, parents and caregivers should know the child's asthma action plan. This should include babysitters, workers at day care centers, parents, schools and organizers of outdoor children activities.Avoidance of TriggersAn entire multitude of allergens have been documented to be linked to asthma. To the individual patient, the most important thing is to know what triggers asthma in you. Following that, know what steps to take when asthma is triggered.
Medications for AsthmaPlease consult with your primary physician for medications suitable for control of your asthma. Your primary physician will adjust the dose of medications as needed. If you have self adjusted the dose, you must inform your primary physician on your next visit.Generally speaking, medications for asthma can either be in the form of a pill, an injectable, or as a nebulized drug consumed via use of an inhaler. Nebulized drugs are inhaled directly into the lungs where it exerts its effects.
Please note that use of inhalers will require a certain technique and should be taught by a doctor or a trained health care provider.Medications targeting Long Term ControlChronic asthmatics will need medications to achieve long term control of their asthma. These medications work slowly and reduces airway inflammation.
Inhaled CorticosteroidsInhaled corticosteroids are most commonly used for long term control of asthma. They act by reducing inflammation in the airways of the lungs. Use of inhaled corticosteroids daily will greatly reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms.The most common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids is oral thrush. Use of a spacer when using the inhaled corticosteroid can reduce the incidence of oral thrush. Check with your primary physician if you are unsure of how to use a spacer. Simple rinsing of the mouth after cosuming inhaled corticosteroids can also reduce the incidence of oral thrush.Other long term medications:These include:· Cromolyn - This drug prevents airway inflammation and is used as a nebulized drug delivered via an inhaler.
Great Post. I am thankful to you for sharing this post. This is very useful for me and as well as for others. Your article is very well written and unique. please keep sharing such posts. best breathing exercises for asthma
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