Treatment Options for Chronic and Severe Asthma
People suffering from asthma face severe difficulty breathing or experience chronic coughs when they have asthma attacks. Our breathing tubes make us easier to breathe, but when these breathing tubes inflame, it causes coughing and excess mucus in the airways cause a severe condition called asthma.
Each case is different in asthma. For some, allergen trigger, whereas for some, pollutants and pets trigger asthma.
Treating for chronic and severe asthma
Regular medications such as corticosteroid inhalers and anti-inflammatory pills are the constant companion of an asthma patient. Allergies are the worst enemy of asthma. Whether you have mild or severe asthma, proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary to curb and prevent the worsening of the condition. When you notice symptoms like shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, wheezing or constant coughing that’s when one needs to be treated for asthma.
Treatment options for chronic and severe asthma vary from the assessment of each case. Asthma is classified into a mild, moderate, or severe category. The severity of the case is determined by:
- Duration of asthma attacks
- Extent of asthma interfering with regular activities
- Extent of airway blockage
After conducting tests and understanding your medical history and your breathing patterns, the doctor decides on the treatment that works as per your blood tests and X-ray reports. Treatment options for chronic and severe asthma include devices for measurement of breathing patterns.
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Spirometer
This device is used to assess how much amount of air, an asthma patient can exhale and breathe out forcefully. A spirometer is an effective tool to gauge the functioning of lungs, breathing forcefully, especially during an attack, can worsen the condition.
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Peak flow meter
Using peak flow meter, doctors monitor how forcefully one can breathe out in an event of an asthma attack. Peak flow meter is most commonly used for asthma patients. It gives an accurate idea to the doctors to find the right cause of asthma.
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Oximetry
This device is used to measure the oxygen in your bloodstream by placing it on the fingertip.
After asthma and its cause have been detected, medication and treatment options start under the monitoring of your healthcare provider. -
Maintenance Medication
This is a long-term medication, which has to be taken irrespective of whether symptoms exists or not. This medication helps to control any inflammation in the lungs that can cause airway blockage.
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Rescue medication
Rescue medication is a backup medication, in case of a severe asthma attack. Normally, administered as a short-term medication, this treatment is taken only in case of emergency.
Inhalers work best in case of any symptoms of asthma flare-up and can provide immediate relief. There is one more alternative treatment option for chronic and severe asthma called bronchial thermoplasty.
Bronchial thermoplasty is not recommended for everyone. It happens in rare cases, where asthma is very severe and when inhaled corticosteroids and other long-term medications fail. This treatment makes breathing easy with the help of electrode by heating the insides of airways, thereby making a smooth passage for breathing.
