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Asthma |
Asthma Treatment
Guidelines
The National Asthma Education Program has published Guidelines for
the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma in order to improve the
detection and treatment of asthma. As reported in their Executive
Summary (2), "treatment is based on the following four components:
- The use of objective measures of lung function to assess the severity
of asthma and to monitor the course of therapy.
- Comprehensive pharmacologic therapy designed to revers and prevent the
airway inflammation characteristic of asthma as well as to treat airway
narrowing.
- Environmental control measures to avoid or eliminate factors that
induce or trigger asthma exacerbations, including consideration of
immunotherapy.
- Patient Education that fosters a partnership among the patient, his or
her family, and the children."
Drugs
Drugs to treat airway inflammation:
- Corticosteroids
- Cromolyn sodium or cromolyn-like compounds
Drugs for symptoms:
- Bronchodilators --- Beta-agonists
- Theophylline
Source:National Asthma Education Program:Expert Panel Report.
Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. National
Institutes of Health. Bethesda, MD. June 1991.
