Managing Asthma
A specific , customized plan for proactively monitoring and managing symptoms should be created . Someone who has asthma should understand the importance of reducing exposure to allergens , testing to assess the severity of symptoms , and the usage of medications . The treatment plan should be written down and adjusted according to changes in symptoms .
The most effective treatment for asthma is identifying triggers such as cigarette smoke , pets , or aspirin , and eliminating them . If trigger avoidance is insufficient , medical treatment is recommended . Medical treatments used depend on the severity of illness and the frequency of symptoms . Specific medications for asthma are classified into fast-acting and long-acting categories .
Bronchodilators are recommended for short-term relief of symptoms . In those with occasional attacks , no other medication is needed . If mild persistent disease is present ( more than two attacks a week ), low-dose inhaled glucocorticoids , or alternatively , an oral leukotriene antagonist or a mast cell stabilizer , is recommended . For those who suffer daily attacks , a higher dose of inhaled glucocorticoid is used . In a severe asthma exacerbation , oral glucocorticoids are added to these treatments .
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