Asthma therapy involves two different strategies: preventing the occurrence of an asthma attack and treating the acute attack. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and is tailored entirely to the individual case. The primary goal is to prevent possible late complications by keeping the frequency of asthma attacks as low as possible and trying to dampen the hypersensitivity of the bronchial tubes. In the event of an acute asthma attack, bronchodilator drugs and/or preparations containing cortisone are administered. Since inhalation preparations are no longer sufficient in severe cases, the drugs often have to be injected. In severe cases, oxygen, intubation, ventilation, and intensive care in the hospital may be necessary.
Bronchial asthma: drug treatment.
Initially, measures should be taken that directly address the triggering cause. Thus, if you are suffering from the allergic form of asthma, you must avoid the allergens in question. In the case of the non-allergic form, everyone affected should protect themselves well against inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. Only if these measures are not sufficient, symptoms must be treated with medication. In this case, the doctor depends on the severity of the disease and treats you according to a fixed graduated scheme. Various medications are used
- Drugs that directly relax and decongest the narrowed airways: so-called bronchodilators such as terbutaline, salbutamol, theophylline and ipratropium bromide.
- Drugs that affect chronic inflammation: so-called glucocorticoids such as budenoside.
- Medications designed to reduce hypersensitivity to the triggering substances: Anti-allergic drugs such as cromoglicic acid.
- Medications designed to improve coughing up of tough mucus: Bromhexine or acetylcysteine.
Often, different preparations must be taken together. Many drugs are sprayed into the inhaled air as an inhalation spray (metered dose inhalers) and thus act directly on the irritated and constricted bronchi. Other drugs are to be taken in tablet form. It is important for patients to participate in patient education. There you can ask questions about asthma and learn how to use the metered dose inhalers correctly. In addition, information and exercises will give you a further understanding of your disease and reduce your fears of possible emergencies. Contact with other sufferers also makes it easier for many patients to cope with the disease.
Asthma: self-control and treatment
The most important tool available for self-monitoring is the peak flow meter. During the examination, various values are measured while the patient is breathing. This can be used to determine the individual diurnal course of asthma, on the one hand, and to determine optimal adjustment of dosing times, on the other. However, the measured values are highly dependent on the patient’s cooperation. Supplementary therapeutic means include relaxation methods such as breathing therapy, autogenic training and supportive psychotherapy. Especially the combination of general measures, medicinal and psychotherapeutic treatment is increasingly taken up by patients as a useful supplement. The joint treatment goal of physicians and therapists is to prevent complaints in everyday life and, especially in children, to enable undisturbed participation in school lessons, sports and play. Important note: Patients with bronchial asthma can achieve unrestricted physical and mental performance with expert medical care and a health-conscious lifestyle.
Asthma: avoiding or reducing allergens
If a trigger can be identified, efforts must be made to avoid the allergen as consistently as possible. In some circumstances, this means separation from a hairy or feathered housemate, if animal hair or feathers are responsible for the allergy. Because this is often very difficult, the animal should at least no longer be allowed in the bedroom. It may also be necessary to remove carpets from the home to reduce the number of dust mites. Dust mites are controlled by washing bedding once a week at high temperatures. Also, reduce the humidity of the apartment. Mites do not feel comfortable in dry air. Avoid unnecessary dust catchers such as stuffed animals.If such remediation measures are unsuccessful or if allergens are involved that are difficult to avoid, hyposensitization treatment is an option.
