Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease. Although there is no cure, significant progress has been made in the treatment of asthma in the United States in recent years. Many innovative treatments and management strategies provide patients with hope for long-term symptom relief.
1. MedicationMedication is a core part of managing asthma and is designed to reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma attacks. According to the American Asthma Treatment Guidelines, drugs are divided into two categories: long-term control drugs and acute relief drugs. Long-term control drugs are mainly used to prevent asthma attacks and maintain long-term relief of symptoms.
Inhaled steroids are currently the most commonly used long-term control medications and are effective in preventing asthma attacks by reducing the inflammatory response in the airways. Inhaled steroids can act directly on the respiratory tract, reducing the side effects of drugs on the body.
Common drugs: such as fluticasone (Flovent), budesonide (Pulmicort), chlorthioxanol (Qvar), etc.
How it works: Inhaled steroids can reduce the inflammatory response in the airways, reduce airway swelling and mucus secretion, and thus help improve breathing.
Usage Note: You need to use the inhaler on time and correctly, and have regular follow-up visits to ensure the appropriate dosage of the drug.
Long-acting beta2-agonists are a class of drugs often used in combination with inhaled steroids. They help maintain open airways and reduce the occurrence of asthma symptoms by relaxing bronchial smooth muscles. LABA is suitable for patients who do not respond well to inhaled steroid monotherapy.
Common drugs: such as salmeterol (Serevent), formoterol (Foradil), etc.
Combined use: In order to avoid the safety risks that may arise from using LABA alone, it is usually recommended to use LABA in combination with inhaled steroids.
Leukotriene receptor antagonists work by blocking the effects of leukotrienes (inflammatory mediators) that trigger asthma symptoms, reducing airway contraction and inflammatory response, and playing a long-term control role.
Common drugs: such as montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate), etc.
INDICATIONS: These medications are commonly used in children and adults, especially those with asthma triggered by allergies or environmental factors.
For patients who are poorly controlled and have poor response to standard treatments, immunomodulatory therapy may be considered. Anti-IgE treatments (such as **Omalizumab (Xolair)**) control asthma by inhibiting the binding of IgE antibodies to allergens, reducing allergic reactions.
Applicable people: Mainly used for patients with allergic asthma and poor response to conventional treatments.
Treatment method: Usually subcutaneous injection, which needs to be performed under the guidance of a doctor.
Inhaled anticholinergic drugs can improve airway obstruction by relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways, and are especially effective for patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and some asthma.
COMMON DRUGS: Such as tiotropium bromide (Spiriva).
Indications: This type of drug is usually used in asthma patients with COPD, or may be considered when other drugs are not effective.
Asthma has many causes, including allergens, air pollution, infections, climate change, and more. Therefore, in addition to medication, lifestyle modifications are also critical for long-term relief of asthma symptoms.
Many asthma sufferers' symptoms are triggered by allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold. By avoiding exposure to allergens, you can effectively reduce the frequency of asthma symptoms.
Home Environment Control: Use dust mite-resistant sheets, air purifiers, etc. to reduce indoor allergens.
Outdoor Activities: Try to avoid outdoor activities during pollen season, especially in the morning and evening.
Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure are major triggers for people with asthma. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms, while avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke can help reduce inflammation and irritation in the airways.
No smoking in the home: Make sure family members do not smoke indoors, especially around people with asthma.
Public Smoking Ban: Avoid taking people with asthma to smoking public places.
Obesity is considered a risk factor for worsening asthma symptoms. By maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly, you can improve your body's overall health and strengthen your immune system, which can help reduce asthma attacks.
Moderate exercise: Choose low-intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, yoga, etc., to improve lung function and physical health.
Environmental factors play an important role in the onset and control of asthma. Asthma symptoms can be significantly reduced by improving the air quality in your living environment.
Air purifiers can help remove allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander from the air, and are an effective tool to improve the air quality of your living environment.
Choose a high-efficiency filter: Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter can effectively filter harmful substances in the air.
Keep it Clean: Clean air conditioning and heating equipment regularly to reduce indoor air pollution.
Air pollution, especially pollutants such as ozone and PM2.5, can aggravate asthma symptoms. For asthma patients who live in areas with severe air pollution, avoiding outdoor activities and wearing masks can reduce respiratory tract irritation.
Pay attention to air quality: Check the local air quality index (AQI) regularly and avoid going out during periods of serious air pollution.
Home Ventilation: Maintain indoor ventilation to reduce the accumulation of harmful substances in the air.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a treatment method that helps asthma patients improve lung function and endurance. It is especially suitable for patients with severe and poorly controlled symptoms.
Pulmonary rehabilitation usually includes aerobic exercise, breathing technique training and health education to help patients improve breathing efficiency and cardiopulmonary function. Rehabilitation programs are tailored to the patient's symptoms and physical condition to gradually improve exercise capacity.
Aerobic exercise: Such as walking, cycling, etc., which can enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve physical strength.
Breathing training: Help patients improve their lung ventilation capabilities by practicing deep breathing techniques and chest and abdominal breathing.
Many people with asthma develop anxiety or depression as a result of long-term symptoms, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs often incorporate psychological support to help patients maintain a positive outlook.
In the United States, many asthma management programs emphasize patient education to help patients understand their condition, master medication use skills, and learn self-monitoring and coping strategies. Through education, patients can better control their asthma and avoid acute attacks.
Educate patients on the proper use of inhalers, nebulizers, and other medications
medications and make sure they understand the effects and side effects of each medication. Proper use of medications is key to successful asthma treatment.
Help patients develop a personalized asthma management plan and learn how to recognize signs of worsening symptoms and take prompt action.
Although asthma cannot be completely cured, with scientific and reasonable treatment and management, patients can control their symptoms for a long time and live a normal life. Methods such as medication, lifestyle modifications, environmental controls, pulmonary rehabilitation, and patient education are currently effective ways to relieve asthma symptoms in the United States. Each patient's condition is different, so treatment plans need to be individually tailored. Patients should work closely with their doctors to conduct regular reviews and adjust treatment plans to achieve the best control effect.
