The fundamental goal of asthma therapy is the control of all symptoms, which in turn leads to normalization of lung function and prevention of exacerbations and hospitalizations and allows for an active, healthy lifestyle. Once control is established, ongoing, successful treatment may include daily prescription medication, such as inhaled bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medicines, a regular exercise regimen, and environmental control measures .
Elements of Asthma Control: What to Look For
Monitor SYMPTOM frequency—keep an eye on each of four key indicators and their frequency:
- Daytime symptoms
- Exercise limitation
- Limitation of daily activities
- Nocturnal (nighttime) awakenings
Observe MEDICINE use—how many times a week quick-relief, rapid-acting inhaled β2 agonist bronchodilator is required for symptom relief.
Check LUNG FUNCTION TESTS—pulmonary function tests include the FEV1 test and peak flow measurements (PEF).
Follow EXACERBATION frequency—how many exacerbations occur.
Asthma Treatment
- Patient education: asthma physiology, proper use of medicines, self-monitoring, asthma action plans
- Pharmacological treatment: when and how to use medicines
- Environmental controls and modifications: identify allergens and minimize or eliminate exposure, especially in the home and in the patient’s bedroom
- Trigger identification and avoidance
- Alliance between patient and caregiver
- Treatment includes an emphasis and focus on preventive therapy, not merely on symptomatic therapy
Physicians and their patients should work together to attain an asymptomatic state, free of bothersome breathing symptoms such as cough, breathlessness, or night-time awakenings. Such collaboration requires attention and interest from both partners, with a constructive and clear dialogue and a commitment to the goal at hand. It may take several visits to learn about your asthma and to understand how the medicines work and how to take them.
Asthma is a condition that requires a commitment and work on the part of the patient in order to achieve treatment goals. Learning the correct technique of inhaling asthma medicine from a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) or dry-powder inhaler (DPI), for example, may be frustrating at first and may require time and patience.
If you are not certain that you understand how to inhale your medicine, or you are not sure you know what your doctor is talking about, speak up! Make certain you report symptoms you are experiencing. Your doctor should want to know of any new or worsening asthma symptoms; don’t be concerned about “upset-ting” the doctor.
Adherence to the medicine prescribed for asthma treatment is crucial for successful asthma treatment, which is why I advocate that each person with asthma learn about the medicine they take, how it works to help asthma, and how often it should be taken. An effective asthma regimen will succeed in achieving a minimal requirement for short-acting β2 agonist quick-relief medication. It will also ensure minimal, if any, medication side effects.
Lung function should normalize with proper asthma care, and monitoring of the FEV1 can and should be performed in children as well as teens and adults. All asthma symptoms should be absent or minimal during the daytime as well as at night. Sleep should be restful and uninterrupted. There should be no absences from work or school due to asthma. Exacerbations should also be few (or none) and far between . If an exacerbation does develop, it should be recognized immediately and treated aggressively.
When people can forget that they have asthma, except for the fact that they have to take medicine, and when they can fully participate in work, play, and sports, and enjoy life without limitation, then the principal goal of asthma treatment has been met.