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Management and Treatment of Asthma
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Treatment for asthma: |
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Specific treatments for asthma will be determined by your child's physician based on: |
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- your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the disease
- your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
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As of yet, there is no cure for asthma. However, asthma can be controlled with prescription medications that may help to prevent or relieve symptoms, and by learning ways to manage episodes.
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Managing asthma: |
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People with asthma can learn to identify and avoid the things that trigger an episode, and educate themselves about medications and other asthma management strategies.
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According to the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, published by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: |
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- Asthma is a chronic disease. It has to be cared for all the time - not just when symptoms are present.
- The four parts of managing asthma are:
- Identify and minimize contact with asthma triggers.
- Understand and take medications as prescribed.
- Monitor asthma to recognize signs when it is getting worse.
- Know what to do when asthma gets worse.
- Work with a healthcare professional to determine the best way to take care of your child's asthma.
- The more information a person with asthma has, the better asthma can be controlled.
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Four components of asthma treatment: |
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- The use of objective measures of lung function - spirometry, oximeters, peak flow expiratory flow rate - to access the severity of asthma, and to monitor the course of treatment.
- The use of medication therapy designed to reverse and prevent the airway inflammation component of asthma, as well as to treat the narrowing airway.
- The use of environmental control measures to avoid or eliminate factors that induce or trigger asthma flare-ups, including the consideration of immunotherapy.
- Patient education that includes a partnership among the child, family members, and the child's physician.
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