 |
|
| Home > More About Asthma > Asthma Quick Reference |
|
 |
|
1. Asthma is a chronic disease
Asthma is a chronic disease that presently cannot be cured but in most cases, it can be adequately treated.
2. Two main components of asthma
Inflammation, the swelling and irritation of the airways, and constriction, the tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways. Inflammation and constriction cause narrowing of the airways, which may result in wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.
3. Presence of airway inflammation
Airway inflammation is always present—even when you are not having symptoms. There is increasing evidence that, if left untreated, inflammation may cause irreversible damage to your airways.
4. Asthma triggers
People with asthma have inflamed airways that are sensitive to asthma triggers that may not bother other people. Asthma triggers often vary from person to person. Some of the most common triggers include allergens like animal dander and pollen, irritants, respiratory infections, and exercise.
5. Asthma attacks
When you are having asthma symptoms or an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten (constriction). Also, the lining of the airways swells, becomes irritated (inflammation), and produces more mucus. Airway constriction and inflammation make it difficult to breathe.
For more about asthma attacks, click here.
6. Goals of asthma treatment
Some of the goals of asthma treatment include:
Preventing chronic asthma symptoms and attacks day and night
Maintaining normal activity levels, including exercise and other activities
Having normal or near-normal lung function
Eliminating emergency room visits due to asthma
7. Quick-relief (rescue) inhalers
Quick-relief inhalers like albuterol work quickly to open the airways by relaxing the muscles around the airways. They do not treat the underlying inflammation or provide long-term protection against worsening asthma.
8. Inhaled corticosteroids
Inhaled corticosteroids are used to prevent symptoms and control mild, moderate, and severe persistent asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids are well tolerated (when taken at recommended doses). The medicine goes right to your lungs where you need it. This reduces
the amount of medicine you need and the chance of side effects.
9. Long-acting bronchodilators
Long-acting bronchodilators help keep your airways open by relaxing smooth muscles surrounding the airways. When used regularly, these long-acting bronchodilators help reduce airway constriction and reduce the need for quick-relief (rescue) medications.
10. Combination medications
Many people may need to use a combination of different long-term medications on a daily basis for the best asthma symptom control. To learn more about asthma treatments, click here.
11. Oral corticosteroids
Oral corticosteroids come in pill or liquid form and are used for short periods to quickly bring asthma under control. They are also used longer term to control the most severe asthma. Much larger doses are used, and the medicine is distributed throughout the body, not just the lungs. This may cause more side effects.
12. Effectively managing asthma
Effectively managing your asthma depends, in part, on staying informed. With the help of your healthcare professional and a daily asthma treatment plan that you follow consistently, you may keep your asthma under control and have more symptom-free days. It is
important to continually update your healthcare professional on your progress with controlling your asthma.
Click here to find out some great tips on how to maximize your next visit to your healthcare professional.
|
|
|
|
|
