A person suffering from asthma experiences some common symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness or persistent cough, especially late at night or early in the morning. However, there are other medical conditions with similar symptoms. In asthma, these breathing problems are caused by swelling and inflammation of the airways, which leads to the formation of thick mucus that blocks the airways. When irritated by triggers such as cold air, smoke, air pollution, animal dander, pollen, etc., the muscles of the airways go into spasm, narrowing the airways. When asthma gets worse, the inflamed airways become increasingly narrow, making it difficult to breathe. While there is no cure for asthma yet, it can be controlled with the right diagnosis, the right treatment, and constant monitoring by the patient and the doctor.
Asthma can be diagnosed by a family doctor, or by an asthma specialist such as an allergist. The important thing is that the symptoms of asthma are recognized early and treated effectively. The longer the wait is made, the more permanent the damage to the lungs can be. Since symptoms vary widely from patient to patient, it is essential that a doctor determine the severity of asthma in order to develop the best plan to treat it. The new guidelines classify asthma into four categories: mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. Best Pulmonologist in jaipur
Once the diagnosis of asthma is made, an aggressive treatment should be followed to get quick control of asthma. Depending on the severity of the condition, the doctor will develop a treatment plan to eliminate the symptoms and enable the patient to lead a normal lifestyle. Prevention and environmental control should be the first consideration in the overall treatment plan. Dr Tarun Parashar
Immunotherapy may be helpful when symptoms occur year-round or during most of the year, or when symptoms are difficult to control with medication. Asthma medicines also play an important role in the treatment of asthma. Regardless of severity, quick-relief medication such as short-acting beta 2-agonists and anticholinergics should be readily available to treat acute symptoms. If the asthma is more than mild and intermittent, a preventive controller anti-inflammatory medication such as a methylxanthine, antileukotriene, cromolyn sodium, and a beta 2-agonist should be used regularly. Regular visits to the doctor to monitor the condition will help meet treatment goals as the doctor will review asthma symptoms, activities, peak flow records, and medications. Monitoring someone's condition closely will help the doctor determine if any changes in treatment are necessary.
The new asthma treatment guidelines recommend a phased approach to using medications, with the type and amount determined by an initial assessment of the severity of the condition. Increasing or stepping up the medicine should be done when the condition worsens and when the asthma is under control, after consulting the doctor. Newer asthma guidelines recommend that patients see an asthma specialist if they have difficulty achieving or maintaining asthma control. The physician and patient must work in partnership to meet asthma goals.
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