Management of Asthma

Specific treatment will be determined by your physicians based on:

1. overall health and medical history

2. extent of the disease

3. tolerance of specific medications, procedures and therapies

4. patient’s opinion and preference

Aim of treatment:

1. to achieve and maintain control of symptoms

2. to reduce or eliminate patient’s asthma episodes if possible

3. to reduce the side effects from medications given

4. to restore normal lung activity level

The four parts of continually managing asthma are:

1.Identify and minimize contact with asthma triggers.

2.Understand and take medications as prescribed.

3.Monitor asthma to recognize signs when it is getting worse.

4.Know what to do when asthma gets worse.

Medications for asthmatic patients:

I) Drugs-divided into 3 classes:

1. relievers –known as rescue medication for eg short-acting b2-agonists (broncodilator);

2. preventers –long acting b2-agonists

3. symptoms controller-long term for eg corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory)

II) Inhalers-divided into 3 groups:

1. metered dose inhaler- require hand-breath inhalation coordination (not easy to use)-in the form of gas

2. dry powder inhaler- no coordination problem (easy to use by children and elderly)-in the form of powder

3. spacer inhaler- commonly use by children- in conjunction with MDI

how it works…

–make sure the drugs enter directly into the lungs (the point where the drugs is needed the most!!!)

Management of COPD

1. Identify the risk factors – for eg occupational hazards

2. use bronchodilators

3. oxygen therapy to reduce mortality

4. antibiotics if there is an evidence of bacterial infection

5. cease smoking

6. use anti-inflammatory (usage of corticosteroid reduces mortality???)

prepared by SRI MURNIATI ROSLI

Reference: Lecture notes, Pulmonary Pharmacology by K.Amudha