Λεξικό .. Proper time of treatment of asthma

Proper time of treatment of asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways that may or may not cause symptoms. Most people who experience symptoms seek medical help. The physician must firstly relieve the symptoms and then stop (and hopefully reverse) the process while doing as little harm as possible. Assessment of the causes, the stage and severity of the disease is required for each patient.

There are no long-term studies of outcomes in relation to cause, to stage or to severity but the occupational model and the results of some drug trials suggest that early removal from the cause and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are needed to halt or reverse the disease process. All other drugs are used to control or prevent symptoms or exacerbations of the disease.

It seems likely (from Epidemiological Studies) that those with mild and persistent and those with episodic disease require no treatment except at the time of symptoms - when sodium cromoglycate or ICS can be used. Those with persistent disease need treatment from the time of diagnosis. At present, "treatment" depends on accurate assessment of the stage and severity of the disease.

References

Woolcock, A.J.: Innovations in the management of Asthma. Symposium XVth Congress of the EAACI, Paris, May 11th, 1992.