Asthma is a condition that affects the airways of your lungs by narrowing them due to inflammation and congestion. You may experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness during an asthma attack. Several factors such as weather change, dust, pollen, pollution or animal fur, etc., may trigger asthma.  

The condition is long-lasting and requires prolonged treatment from a breathing specialist. You can consult a doctor for asthma treatment.

Let us discuss more regarding the current treatment modalities for asthma.

Know these facts:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the year 2019, asthma affected around 262 million people globally. It affects both children and adults and, most of the time remains undiagnosed. Although the best way to prevent asthma is to identify its triggers and avoid exposure, a pulmonologist doctor will perform a diagnosis of your condition and suggest therapies to relieve your symptoms. 

Allergies are not the only triggers for asthma signs; even obesity, stress, depression, acid reflux may also cause asthma. Infection in the chest and colds may also worsen your asthma.

Management of asthma:

The primary focus of asthma treatment is on controlling inflammation and congestion. Talk to a pulmonologist doctor if you need to stop the medicines due to side effects. Periodic examination of patients is necessary for proper control of the condition. Asthma medicines are classified as follows:

• Quick-relief medicines provide immediate relief as soon as you see the first sign.

These medicines may be used individually or in combination, depending on the severity of the attack.

• Short-acting beta-2 agonists, available as inhalers of salbutamol or albuterol, provide a quick relaxation of bronchial congestion. Inhalers are available as metered-dose inhalers or powder inhalers. Learn how to use the inhaler correctly from your breathing specialist. Ask for a spacer for the inhaler for ease of use.

• Oral tablets and injections of corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone help to reduce the inflammation of the airways.

• Short-acting anticholinergics such as ipratropium help to clear the airways quickly.

• Long-term medicines prevent asthma attacks. The following options are available:

• • Inhaled or oral corticosteroids such as budesonide, and beclomethasone reduce the inflammatory response of the airways.

• • Biologics such as omalizumab are antibodies used for treating severe asthma. They may be injected below the skin or in the vein.

• • Leukotriene inhibitors available as oral tablets of montelukast sodium reduce airway inflammation.

• • Mast cell inhibitors such as cromolyn sodium tablets reduce the body’s inflammatory response to specific allergen triggers.

• • Theophylline tablets help in relaxing bronchial muscles.

• • Long-acting bronchodilators such as formoterol or salmeterol are also available as inhalers combined with steroids to relax the bronchial muscles.

• • Immunotherapy: Doctors may prescribe you an injection of these to reduce the body’s response to allergies.

• Emergency care:

In some people with severe asthma attacks, doctors may give emergency care by providing oxygen or, in critical cases, ventilator support.

• Procedures:

In some people, a bronchial specialist may perform a minor surgery like bronchial thermoplasty. In this procedure, doctors will insert a tube with a camera into the bronchi through the nose to view the inside condition. Heat is then introduced to relax the muscles.

Search for the best lung specialist in Coimbatore or talk to a good breathing specialist regarding an action plan to treat your asthma. Coping with asthma as you lead life is challenging. But strict adherence to treatment and regular visits to breathing specialists will help you live life to the fullest and cure your asthma.