Asthma background
Asthma is a lung disease characterized by airway obstruction, inflammation, and hyperresponsiveness to environmental factors or „triggers“. In healthy individuals, the lungs have normal anatomy with clear and open airways and air sacs that allow easy flow of air out of the lungs. In contrast, in asthma patients, the lung anatomy is changed. The airway walls are thick and swollen and increased mucus secretion causes blockage or obstruction of air flow.
Approximately 300 million people around the globe suffer from asthma and this number is rising, especially in children.
Asthma symptoms and classification
Common symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath caused by airway narrowing. The symptoms may be occasional and may last for a few minutes or up to several days. In severe cases, symptoms may be persistent and chronic. The duration of the symptoms is usually used in the classification of the severity of the disease. Asthma is classified into 4 categories and the treatment plan is developed accordingly.
The 4 asthma categories are:
1) Mild intermittent,
2) Mild persistent,
3) Moderate persistent, and
4) Severe persistent.
In some cases, breathing becomes painful and doctors usually describe it as an “asthma attack”.
Treatment options - reliever medications
Reliever medications are those that are given on an as needed basis to treat a sudden onset of asthma symptoms. Reliever medications provide immediate effect. Reliever medications are often the only asthma medication used on a regular basis for patients with intermittent asthma symptoms. However, reliever medications are used as needed in addition to regular use of controller medication in patients with persistent asthma.
Treatment options - controller medications
Controller medications are taken on a long-term basis to prevent the symptoms of asthma. Controller medications are prescribed to prevent airway constriction and reduce airway inflammation. Examples of controller medications include long-acting β2-agonists (bronchodilators), inhaled corticosteroids, theophylline, oral leukotriene inhibitors, and injectible agents such as anti-IgE therapy.