By ULY CLINIC
Asthma
Introduction
It is a chronic reversible obstructive inflammatory airways disease caused by constriction of bronchial smooth muscle causing bronchospasm, oedema of bronchial mucous membrane and blockage of the smaller bronchi with plug of mucous.
Diagnostic Criteria
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wheeze,
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shortness of breath,
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chest tightness
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cough
Non-pharmacological
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Avoid polluted environment which can trigger asthmatic attack
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Avoid heavy exercise
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Stop smoking
Note: The management of asthma in children is similar to that in adult. Infants under 18 months, may not respond well in bronchodilator
Assessment and treatment of severity of asthma attack in children ≥2 years & adults
Nocturnal Asthma
Patients who get night attacks should be advised to take their medication on going to bed.
Chronic Asthma in Adults
The assessment of the frequency of daytime and nighttime symptoms and limitation of physical activity determines whether asthma is intermittent or persistent.
Therapy is step-wise (Step 1–4) based on the category of asthma and consists of:
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Preventing the inflammation leading to bronchospasm (controllers)
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Relieving bronchospasm (relievers)
Controller medicines in asthma
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Inhaled corticosteroids e.g. Beclomethasone
Reliever medicines in asthma
β2 agonists e.g. Salbutamol (short-acting
Long-term treatment of asthma according to severity
Updated on, 2.11.2020
References
1. STG