A common misconception among even the otherwise relatively informed populace of the 21 st century is that asthma is a disease that only affects children. According to O'Byrne, Jenkins, and Bateman (2017), asthma is among the most typical long-lasting conditions globally affecting all people irrespective of their age and with the disease's prevalence growing exponentially in the emerging countries. This notwithstanding, global mortality rates associated with asthma have dramatically reduced over the last few decades, which is a positive indicator of the excellent progress of medical researchers towards finding long-lasting solutions to this highly rampant disease. Connectedly, there are two different categories of asthma medications, which include long term control medicines and quick-relievers drugs. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)(2019), the difference between the two lines of medications exists based on how they help a patient manage their asthmatic condition. For the former, they assist an individual in preventing and controlling the symptoms while the latter is primarily used for relieving asthma symptoms when they happen. Concerning the management of asthma, physicians recommend a stepwise approach which is guided by the severity of the disease’s indicators hence establishing the grounds for improved quality of life while also reducing morbidity ( Gosens & Gross, 2018 ). Principally, asthma has no cure thus the treatment options mentioned above including the stepwise approach aim at minimizing the effects of the disease through establishing substantial control of the disease's symptoms, minimizing morbidity resulting from acute attacks and averting psychological and functional sicknesses thus ensuring a healthy life for the affected person and their family members.
Quick-relief asthma drugs assist in relieving the disease's symptoms, thus working to reduce its severity. Medicines in this treatment category act expeditiously in a bid to relax tight muscles around the patient's airways. With the airways relaxed, air can easily flow through them, therefore, ensuring that one's body organs, including the brain, receive enough oxygen (AAFA, 2019). According to AAFA, quick-relief medicines should be taken when one has asthma symptoms and as guided by a physician. Several options are available for this group of medications, and they include short-acting beta-agonists and anticholinergics. The short-acting beta-agonists are inhaled, and their effect is noted within a short period. These drugs are relaxants of the smooth muscles found along the airways. However, short-acting beta agonists are not known to relieve inflammations of the airways. They also have side effects such as heightened heartbeat, anxiety, and shakiness (FitzGerald, Tavakoli, Lynd, Efraij & Sadatsafavi, 2017). Thus, it is essential that one follows the prescription guide provided by their clinician. Differently, long term control medicines for asthma are meant for preventing and managing symptoms, and therefore, they are required to be taken every day for asthma confirmed cases.
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As mentioned above, long term control drugs are tailored to prevent and manage asthmatic symptoms such as reducing airways' irritations. According to Zahran, Bailey, Qin, & Johnson (2017), for most people, long term control of symptoms is the foundation for managing their asthmatic conditions since the drugs help them prevent recurrent exacerbations of the disease. However, the use of these drugs should be guided by the frequency and intensity of symptoms, including functional limitations. Inhaled corticosteroid is one of the long term asthmatic control drug which is primarily used for preventing and clearing airway swelling. The drug also reduces excessive mucus in the lungs. Nevertheless, inhaled corticosteroids are associated with dry mouth and throat, fungus infection in the mouth, and glaucoma in case of high dosages (“ Inhaled Corticosteroids for Long-Term Control of Asthma ," 2019). The last common drug for long term control of asthma is theophylline, which comes as a tablet, capsule, or syrup, and it works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways (“ Inhaled Corticosteroids for Long-Term Control of Asthma ," 2019). Theophylline is, however, associated with several side effects such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, and skin rash. It is therefore advisable that in case of any side effects, one should consult their general practitioner for guidance.
The Stepwise approach is majorly used to gain consistent control of an asthmatic condition in a patient. In this method, the dose, quantity, and frequency of taking are increased and reduced as the patient's condition dictates. Also, in this approach, it is advisable that a regular follow-up should occur after every three months, to optimize the treatment strategy ( Horak et al., 2016 ). Some of the follow-up activities include lung function, adherence to prescription schedule, identifying risk factors, and initiating nonpharmacological strategies, among others. The first step involves considering low dose inhaled corticosteroids to combat the early symptoms of asthma. The second phase pertains introducing leukotriene receptor antagonists into the medication( Zahran, Bailey, Qin & Johnson, 2017 ) plan. Also, a physician can consider introducing short-acting beta -2 agonists depending on the severity of the disease's symptoms. In the fourth stage, the clinician considers the prescription of the low dose inhaled corticosteroid in conjunction with long-acting beta two agonists. Step five will be defined by other therapy options such as anti-IgE medications used with omalizumab for patients with allergy ( Horak et al., 2016 ). It is, however, essential to note that a medic's judgment concerning a patient's condition determines the step at which to begin the treatment process.
In conclusion, in the treatment of asthma, there are two categories of medications that can be used. Firs, a doctor can prescribe long term control drugs which are meant to prevent and manage asthmatic symptoms. Second, quick-relief drugs aid in expeditiously relieving a patient from the severity of the symptoms. Besides, there is a stepwise approach which is based on variable and consistent use of medication in the treatment of asthma. In this approach, dosages and frequencies of taking medicine are varied according to the severity of the disease's symptoms.
References
Asthma Treatment. (2019). Retrieved from www.aafa.org/asthma-treatment/
FitzGerald, J. M., Tavakoli, H., Lynd, L. D., Al Efraij, K., & Sadatsafavi, M. (2017). The impact of inappropriate use of short-acting beta-agonists in asthma. Respiratory medicine , 131 , 135-140.
Gosens, R., & Gross, N., (2018). The mode of action of anticholinergics in asthma. European Respiratory Journal , 52 (4), 1701247.
Horak, F., Doberer, D., Eber, E., Horak, E., Pohl, W., Riedler, J., ... & Studnicka, M. (2016). Diagnosis and management of asthma–Statement on the 2015 GINA Guidelines. Wiener klinische Wochenschrift , 128 (15-16), 541-554.
Inhaled Corticosteroids for Long-Term Control of Asthma | Michigan Medicine. (2019). Retrieved from www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/ug2865
O'Byrne, P. M., Jenkins, C., & Bateman, E. D. (2017). The paradoxes of asthma management: time for a new approach?. European Respiratory Journal , 50 (3), 1701103.
Zahran, H. S., Bailey, C. M., Qin, X., & Johnson, C. (2017). Long-term control medication use and asthma control status among children and adults with asthma. Journal of Asthma , 54 (10), 1065-1072.
