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Treatment Of Bronchial Asthma

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A bronchial asthma sufferer finds it difficult to breathe because their air passages feel inflamed and tight. Apart from those symptoms, someone who has bronchial asthma will also suffer painful wheezing, and long bouts of coughing which brings up mucus. Alleviating the symptoms is not just a matter of carrying an inhaler around with them all the time. Asthma attacks can be very awful as bronchial asthma sufferers are all too aware.

Most asthma sufferers are treated with asthma inhalators, which are devices designed to deliver tiny doses of medications into the airways directly, thereby keeping the systemic side-effects of the medications to the minimum possible. Ventolin is probably the famous of these inhalators worldwide but there are many different types available.

Bronchial asthma and asthma are close relatives and many of the symptoms are alike although when a bronchial asthma attack occurs, it does not necessarily mean they are having an asthma attack. As with regular asthma, ordinary things like pet dandruff, household dust and interior damp can trigger an episode of bronchial asthma. Once you realise what type of matter sparks off your asthma attack then you can take steps to avoid them and situations where you might come across them. Sometimes even light physical exercise like walking can start an attack, so it is always a good idea to have an inhalator close by if this is what you are planning.

Frequently certain foods might be the trigger and cause a mucus increase that leads to a bronchial attack, usually dairy products, these should be avoided if possible. Food like milk, bananas, ice cream and other cold food from the refrigerator can often be the things that exacerbate the condition. If you are unsure what activates your bronchial asthma you should rule out food products one at a time until you discover the culprits. Your asthma inhalator should be with you at all times in the event of an attack but especially if any type of physical exercise is planned.

Bronchial asthma can be beaten so you should not live in fearfulness of this disease as there are many measures you can use to overcome your bronchial asthma. Your body is in a continuous state of change and in time you may see this mirrored in your bronchial asthma condition. If you make sure you carry prescribed medication with you wherever you go, you will feel more sure and be less likely to have an episode if you have an asthma inhalator or pills in your pocket or handbag.

Treatment Of Bronchial Asthma

Bronchial asthma is characterised by chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes resulting in narrowing of the airways. Any kind of inhaled stimulus, such as air pollutants, strong odours, tobacco smoke, etc can trigger coughing and wheezing. There is swelling of inner lining of airways (bronchi) and occasional blockage due to thick mucus (sputum). When the air moves in and out of these obstructed and inflamed tubes the patient longs for a mouthful of breath. Every moment of the day! Attacks of wheezing and coughing in persons with inflamed airways can also be triggered by stress, infection; and sudden changes in climate.

Corticosteroids

Intravenous hydrocortisone 100 to 200 mg given every six hourly for 1 to 2 days is used in the management of acute severe bronchial asthma (status asthmaticus). Although given intravenously, steroids are not quick acting so treatment through inhalation should be continued. Steroids are also useful in long term treatment in certain cases. Here oral tablets are not preferred but inhaler is used to deliver drug into lungs. Some drugs used are:

Drugs Used for Prevention and Long term Treatment of Chronic Asthma

Bambuterol (Bambudil)

Bambuterol is a bronchodilator which is given orally in a dose of 10 to 20 mg once a day.

Salmeterol (Salmeter, Serobid)

It is used by inhalation (MDI) in a dose of 25 ug, twice a day. It is also available in combination with fluticasone (Seroflo Rotacaps contains 50 ug salmeterol + 100-500 ug fluticasone).

Formoterol (Foratec)

This drug is administered through inhalation, in a dose of 12 to 24 ug, twice a day.

Ipratropium Hydrobromide (Ipravent 20 ug/puff)

It is used as 20 to 40 ug, inhalation 2 to 5 times a day. It is more effective in chronic bronchitis with asthma like problems. It can cause dryness of mouth and palpitation. Nebulised ipratropium alongwith salbutamol are given in refractory asthma.

Montelukast (Montair 4 mg), Zafirlukast (Zuvair 10 mg)

These prevent airway inflammation and are effective orally. They are useful in patients who can not take glucocorticoids. Mild adverse effects like headache or skin allergy may occur.

Sodium cromoglycate (Cromolyn)

It stabilizes mast cells (cells responsible for formation of chemicals which cause asthma) and prevents release of constrictor chemicals. It is given by inhalation.

Fintal 1 mg MDI: It is used as 2 puffs four times a day. It is well tolerated by most patients but sometimes irritating cough and brochospasm may occur. It has preventive value only.

Ketotifen: This drug acts like cromolyn but can be given orally in a dose of 1mg twice a day. Adverse effects are sedation, weight gain, nausea and dizziness.

Combination Drugs

Anti-asthma drugs have a big market as the patient has to take them for a prolonged period of time. Pharmaceutical companies, specially the multinationals are cashing in on this by bringing out new drug combinations and increasing prices. There are a number of drug combinations available in India for asthma. If one drug of a group is unable to provide satisfactory relief, another drug from a different group can be tried or two drugs can be given together, depending on the response of the patient. The common drug combinations available in the market and used more frequently are:

Drug Combinations

Salbutamol 2 mg + theophylline 100 mg (BRONCHO PLUS)

Salbutamol 2 mg + theophylline 100 mg (THEO ASTHALIN)

Terbutaline 2.5 mg + theophylline 100 mg (THEOBRIC)

Terbutaline 5 mg (SR) + theophylline 300 mg (SR) (THEOBRIC SR)

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Both Lindelwa Maseko & Alien are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Lindelwa Maseko has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Blood Pressure and Asthma. You welcome to visit: and. Lindelwa Maseko's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.

Alien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems, Fitness and Get Rid of Bed Bugs. AdvCare is one of the leading website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for. Alien's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.

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