Asthma: Chronic Management

Asthma: Chronic Management

Jake Anderson, DO, and Vanessa Cardy, MD

Background

• Condition of reversible airflow obstruction

Clinical Findings

• Recurrent symptoms 
  • Chest tightness
  • Wheezing
  • Dyspnea
  • Chronic cough
• Spirometry 
  • Reversible airflow obstruction

Management 

• Trigger avoidance
• Smoking cessation
• Medication therapy provided in a stepwise approach
• Annual influenza vaccination 
• Medications
  • As needed use:
    • Short-acting beta 2 agonists for all
    • Short-acting muscarinic antagonists (for exacerbations)
  • Daily controller therapy (listed stepwise):
    • Inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists
    • Leukotriene antagonist
    • Theophylline