National Asthma Day
Asthma has benefited over the last decade from an evolution of knowledge which has made it possible to better understand the methods of its management. It is a condition that affects both men and women, adults and children alike. It is a bronchial disease characterized by chronic inflammation sometimes with bronchial spasms. It is characterized by episodes of respiratory discomfort with wheezing occurring especially at night, accompanied by cough and/or rhinitis. Apart from these episodes, the patient generally does not present symptoms. The frequency of these episodes is proportional to the intensity of the inflammation, thus determining the degree of severity. The more frequent or intense the episodes, the more severe the asthma.
There are multiple factors favoring the onset and worsening: cold, heat, humidity, certain medications such as aspirin, exercise, etc. They are rarely recognized by the patient.
The principles of support are:
- prevention based on the recognition and avoidance of factors by providing continuous anti-inflammatory treatment, even outside of crises;
- bronchodilator treatment in the event of a crisis;
- the administration of medications by inhalation (metered dose aerosol) preferably;
- breath monitoring using the peak flow meter.
The objective of this practice with a dual curative and prophylactic role is, of course, to reduce attacks and make symptoms disappear to allow a normal life for those suffering from asthma. Indeed, guided by his healthcare team, the patient becomes a healing factor in himself, in the sense that he acquires knowledge about his illness, the chemical mechanisms of drugs, its treatment, the procedure to follow in the event of a crisis, how to organize prevention, etc. It is at the cost of the total involvement of these two partners (doctor-patient) – which can be amplified by associative action – that the goal can be achieved: obtaining the best possible quality of life.
There are multiple factors favoring the onset and worsening: cold, heat, humidity, certain medications such as aspirin, exercise, etc. They are rarely recognized by the patient.
The principles of support are:
- prevention based on the recognition and avoidance of factors by providing continuous anti-inflammatory treatment, even outside of crises;
- bronchodilator treatment in the event of a crisis;
- the administration of medications by inhalation (metered dose aerosol) preferably;
- breath monitoring using the peak flow meter.
The objective of this practice with a dual curative and prophylactic role is, of course, to reduce attacks and make symptoms disappear to allow a normal life for those suffering from asthma. Indeed, guided by his healthcare team, the patient becomes a healing factor in himself, in the sense that he acquires knowledge about his illness, the chemical mechanisms of drugs, its treatment, the procedure to follow in the event of a crisis, how to organize prevention, etc. It is at the cost of the total involvement of these two partners (doctor-patient) – which can be amplified by associative action – that the goal can be achieved: obtaining the best possible quality of life.