PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA PATIENTS

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction and bronchospasm. Asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is no cure for asthma. Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers such as allergens and irritants and by the use of inhaled corticosteroids. The primary goal of asthma treatment as: preventing chronic symptoms that interfere with daily living, such as coughing or shortness of breath during the night or after exercise. Maintaining lung function near the personal best measurement, preventing repeated asthma attacks. This review is aimed at providing a systemic analysis of the diagnosis and management of asthma, with a particular focus on the most relevant studied about 70 articles published over the last few years. The diagnosis of asthma includes the spirometer test, temperature controlled laminar airflow in severe asthma for exacerbation reduction (THE LASER TRIAL), artificial neural network, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), skin prick test, etc. Asthma can be managed by pharmacological as well as non- pharmacological therapies. The non- pharmacological therapy includes acupuncture, acupoint herbal patching, and exercise. Pharmacologically asthma is managed with rescue inhalers to treat symptoms (salbutamol) and controller inhalers that prevent symptoms (steroids). Severe cases may require longer acting inhalers that keep the airways open (salmeterol, tiotropium) as well as inhalant steroids.