Acute Asthma Attack Treatment

Asthma is a kind of disease where the air passage gets blocked, the chest feels congested and the patient is unable to breathe. Asthma attack depends from person to person and the attack also has its variations. For some it may be a mild attack and for some it may be a really strong attack that could last for few minutes. Treatment of asthma can be separated into long-term control and quick-relief medications.

Long-term control medication can be taken daily to maintain control of constant asthma. They primarily serve to control airway swelling. The quick-relief medication can be taken to get prompt setback of an acute asthma “attack" by soothing bronchial smooth muscle. Many asthma medications can be consumed orally or by inhalation. Metered-dose inhalers are the most extensively used method, but dry powder inhalers are also becoming popular amongst the patients. Metered-dose inhalers are altering from the type propelled by liquified chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to a new, CFC-free rescue system. Nebulizer therapy is kept back for patients who are incapable to use MDI's because of difficulties with coordination. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be proscribed with appropriate asthma management.

The first footstep in asthma management is environmental control. Asthmatics cannot run away from the environment, but through some changes, they can manage its impact on their health. Some ways to treat asthma can be in our own hands. If we keep the environment clean, clean the house everyday then chances of dirt deposit will be less. If the person suffering from asthma is cleaning he or she should always wear a mask. Often people suffering from asthma are advised not to keep pets because pets shed their fur and this can also cause a problem.

Cleanliness plays a very important role as far as asthma patients are concerned. Little things go a long way and can be beneficial. Washing the bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water can give away the germs and bacteria. Pillows and mattress can be encased in a cover. Bedding made of down, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials is better than the others. Replacing upholstered furniture with leather or vinyl can also benefit the patient. Use the air conditioner helps to keep the air clean but air conditioners too have a set back. The water filter in them needs to be cleaned regularly else it could be a reason for infection and various diseases.



The next step is to monitor lung function. Asthmatics use a peak flow meter to measure their lung function. Lung function decreases before symptoms of an asthma attack - usually about two to three days former. If the meter indicates the peak flow is down by 20 percent or more from your normal best effort, an asthma attack is on its way.

The third step is to manage the use of medications. There are two major groups of medications used in controlling asthma - anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatories decrease the number of inflammatory cells in the airways and prevent blood vessels from leaking fluid into the airway tissues. By reducing inflammation, they reduce the impulsive spasm of the airway muscle. Anti-inflammatories are used as a defensive measure to diminish the risk of acute asthma attacks. Bronchodilators work by escalating the diameter of the air passages and easing the flow of gases to and from the lungs.

• Juliana Breckinridge
• 31/03/2009, 4:59 AM
• 0 Comments