Treatment of Asthma
Treatment depends on many factors, including a history of what causes the attacks, and also depends on the severity of the condition, and age of the patient.
The main aim is to get the maximum effect from the minimum required drug therapy, in order to reduce the risk of side effects.
The basis of treatment of asthma is:
1).To prevent the underlying inflammatory reaction that continues between attacks (which should also reduce the sensitivity of the airways) and,
2). To relieve the tightening of the muscles around the bronchial tree.
Therefore “Preventers” and “Relievers” are used, in some form or other.
British Guidelines on Asthma Management (BGAM)
“The British Guidelines on Asthma Management” (BGAM) were published following a joint initiative by the British Thoracic Society, the Royal College of Physicians in London, the King’s Fund Centre and the National Asthma Campaign. The current guidelines were written in 1995 and published in 1997, and are to be updated soon.
There are five steps to the management of asthma, each step increasing with severity of the illness, in line with additional medication or increased dosages. Patients may start at any part of the steps 1 to 5. Regular review is recommended so that, with improvement, a step down may be taken. See The Stepwise management of asthma.
Compliance with treatment
Patient compliance is by no means full, partly because of fear and lack of knowledge. The more an asthma patient knows about his/her condition and the treatment alternatives, the more empowered he/she becomes in management of the condition. A written treatment plan is very helpful. The aim is to have better control of the asthma and to reduce emergency hospital admissions.
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