Is A Specific Corticosteroid Better for Treatment of Asthma Than Another?

Discussion Asthma is a chronic obstructive lung disease that affects many children and adults. There is a wide range of symptoms that people experience from occurring relatively rarely (ie intermittent asthma) to patients having daily symptoms of such intensity that they are life-threatening (ie chronic severe asthma). The goals of asthma management include patient education and medication management so patients have no or minimal symptoms, prevent exacerbations, have no activity restrictions, have normal pulmonary function tests, have no or minimal medication side effects and meet patient and family expectations. Well controlled asthma should have: Asthma symptoms twice a week or less Rescue bronchodilator use twice a week or less No nighttime or early morning awakening Daily, school and work activities should not be limited Patient, family and physician believe asthma is well-controlled. Normal pulmonary function tests Assessment of asthma should occur routinely and especially if the patient’s symptoms are not well controlled. This includes: Frequency of Symptoms Night and morning symptoms Rescue inhaler use Activities, school or work limitations Overall patient assessment Pulmonary function tests Assess Psychosocial status Adherence/compliance Potential reasons for non-adherence Tobacco smoke Allergen avoidance and control measures including dust, cockroaches, animal dander etc. Weight reduction for obesity Mental illness Poverty and social stressors Poor te...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news