Encourage the person to take responsibility for control of their disease. This usually leads to improved clinical outcomes. Persons (or their carers) should be taught about the relationship between symptoms and inflammation, and the different types of medication in use.
Avoidance of aggravating factors
When avoiding the offending agent, asthma may be cured or substantially improved. The identification of sensitisation to a household pet suggests that asthma control may be improved by removing the animal from the home, although it may take several years before increased levels fall substantially.
Medications
There is a stepwise approach to the treatment of asthma.
- Use of short acting inhaled bronchodilators when needed.
- Addition of low dose of inhaled steroids.
- Increase in the dose of inhaled steroids.
- Use of long acting bronchodilators with steroids.
- Addition of oral steroids.
