L16 Therapeutics of Asthma

When diagnosing asthma there is no single “gold standard” test, and we must assess the pattern of ❌(wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at ❌ or ❌ in the morning). We can also measure ❌ on more than one occasion, and assess ❌ to inhaled bronchodilator +/- inhaled corticosteroid.

Goals of asthma treatment are about maintaining long-term control using the ❌ amount of medications and ❌ adverse effects.
We want to prevent chronic ❌, require infrequent use (❌ or fewer days/week) of SABA, maintain normal or near-normal ❌ function and maintain ❌ levels. We should assure patients’ and families’ ❌ with asthma care. We also want to prevent exacerbations, the need for ❌, and prevent progressive ❌ of lung function.

Treatment steps:
1. At initial diagnosis, all patients should use a ❌, as required..
2. Add an ❌ if patients have symptoms for more than ❌ weeks. Often a big decision! (The usual dose in adults is ❌/day.)
3. If control is not adequate, ❌ can be increased.
4. If control is not adequate, combine ❌. (❌ can be used as a preventer and replace SABA.)

Patients can step up or down in order to achieve and maintain control.
Check adherence and inhaler ❌ at each step of the way!