Treatment of asthma
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| Via: www.fitango.com |
Asthma has two possible treatments: prevention to prevent its occurrence, and control of symptoms when prevention fails and it is inevitable that a crisis is more or less intense.
Treatments of asthma: Non-pharmacological measures
The goal of these treatments is to avoid as far as possible, the causes or cause the disease.
Pollens: windy days, dry and sunny, which is when there is a higher concentration of pollen, it is better not to go out unless absolutely necessary, and if staying outdoors as soon as possible, avoid going out into the field and do outdoor exercise, traveling with the car windows closed and use the pollen filter air conditioning, wear sunglasses with side shields to prevent contact with eyes pollen, and ventilating the house for 15 minutes in the morning, for the rest of the day remain closed.
Dust mites: reduce, wherever possible, the humidity, avoid carpets, rugs, curtains, upholstery and decorative excess, as all these elements accumulate dust, choose furniture that is easily cleaned with a cloth damp wash bedding at least twice a week, using controlled vacuum cleaning the filters, and use mite covers for mattress and pillow.
Fungi: no wetlands stroll in autumn and winter after leaf fall, regularly ventilate the rooms dark and damp in the house, remove any water stains on the walls, ceilings and windows and use anti-rust paints, avoid excess plants inside the home and not visit barns, cellars, basements, or similar places where these organisms can thrive.
Animals: remove the animal from the shelter and then perform a thorough cleaning. If this is not possible, prevent the animal into the bedroom, and wash it once a week. There are also products that diminish the "allergic load" improving symptoms.
Drugs: about 10% of people with asthma have intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and its derivatives, so you should avoid uptake.
Medical treatment of asthma
The two major groups of medications for asthma are anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators.
Anti-inflammatory medications: are the most commonly used corticosteroids (beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone), decrease inflammation of the bronchi. There formulations by inhalation or orally or intravenously in case of severe exacerbations. Other anti-inflammatory drugs are the chromones, used inhalants (cromolyn and nedocromil sodium) and leukotrienes, which are taken in pill form (montelukast and zafirlukast).
Bronchodilators: are used beta 2 agonists (salbutamol, terbutaline, salmeterol and formoterol), anticholinergics (ipratropium bromide) and methylxanthines, and their function is to increase the diameter of the bronchus. Inhaled are administered (by spray) as well as many drug reaches the lungs, with fewer side effects to the organism. There are several types: pressurized cartridge, spacer or dry powder.
Immunotherapy: used only in patients sensitive to an allergen, which was not achieved an adequate response of asthma, despite following drug treatment and enforce appropriate avoidance measures. It is administered in the hospital by specialized personnel.
Antihistamines:do not control asthma but are useful to reduce allergy symptoms such as itchy nose, sneezing, red eyes ...
