Asthma and Stepwise Management: Breathing Tracts Research (Essay Sample)

Asthma and Stepwise Management
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Asthma and Stepwise Management
Asthma is a condition where airway in the breathing tract narrow and swell to produce extra mucus that can lead to difficulty in breathing and prompt panting and coughingCITATION Mim15 \l 1033 (Mims, 2015). Asthma as a long term condition has no cure. Therefore, it is advised that the condition must be prevented and managed properly. This literature will review the quick relief and long-term treatment of asthma, and also outline effects of these interventions on the patient. Also, an explanation of the how stepwise management helps healthcare personnel and patients benefit and maintain control of asthma.
Asthma is still the number one chronic disease in childhood CITATION Nat12 \l 1033 (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 2012). Statistics suggest that Asthma has caused 3613 deaths, 1.7 million emergency section visits, 10.6 million physician office visits and approximately 500,000 hospitalizations CITATION Nat12 \l 1033 (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 2012). On medication and control of asthma discussions, patients suffering from can be given long-term medication or quick-relief drugs that will help reduce the adverse effects of asthma.
First, most of the asthma medication are taken through pill form. Although, most of the patients prefer the use of inhalers. Long-term control medicines for asthma include inhaled corticosteroids. Inhaled steroids typically are well tolerated. The most common side effects these steroids are headaches, coughing, huskiness, dysphonia and oropharyngeal candidiasisCITATION Arc13 \p 349 \l 1033 (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013, p. 349). Such effects on the patients only occur when high doses are administered. Another drug therapy for asthma patient is the use of mast cell stabilizers, which are effective as inhalants. They usually suppress the spread of the inflammatory cells and antigen-induced bronchial hyperactivity. Mast cell stabilizers exhibit side effects such as coughing, joint swelling and pain, unpleasant tastes, nasal irritation and dizziness among othersCITATION Arc13 \p 351 \l 1033 (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013, p. 351). Also, use of leukotriene modifiers and theophylline are employed in long-term control measures for asthma. These administered by mouth. Leukotriene modifiers are associated with weakness, dizziness, elevated liver enzyme levels, mild fever and back painsCITATION Arc13 \p 354 \l 1033 (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013, p. 354). Secondly, there is also quick relief intervention in controlling asthma. Use of inhaled beta2-adrenergic agonists is one of the best-known rescue drug for controlling asthmatic patients. It mainly used before a patient engages in an activity to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Its main side effects include skeletal muscle tremor, hyperglycemia, cardiac arrhythmia and dizzinessCITATION Arc13 \p 354 \l 1033 (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013, p. 354).
Treatment of asthma involves intensive assessment and monitoring that is focused on the frequency and intensity of its symptoms and their functional boundaries. One of the best way to manage asthmatic patient is using the stepwise management. This method is a pharmacologic therapy most nurses and physician use to control asthmatic patients. In stepwise management therapy, asthma severity and level of scrutiny are responsive to the type, amount, and schedule of medication.
Stepwise Management Stages
To gain control, treatment is administered at the step that is most suitable to the severity of symptoms of asthma. There will be a need for a step up if the indicators of asthma are uncontrolled. Below are steps that are taken in controlling asthma through stepwise management therapy.
1 First Line Therapy
It is also called the mild-intermittent stage where symptoms are no more than two times a week. The recommended treatment at this stage is the use of quick-relief medication such as beta-adrenergic agonists.
2 Second Line Therapy
At this stage, the patient experiences mild persistent asthma. Drug therapy involves a low dose of corticosteroids or theophylline. If the symptoms persist in this juncture, there is a need to move to step three.
3 Third Line Therapy
It is known as the Initial add-on therapy. If the symptoms at stage 2 persist, the patient must check compliance and inhaler methods and eliminate trigger focus. The most effective therapy at this juncture is the use of LABA (beta-adrenergic agonists).
4 Fourth Line Therapy
This stage involves persistent poor control. If the symptoms persist at step three, the dose is increased. Therefore, the patient can take leukotriene as a long-term control measure.
5 Fifth Line Therapy
At this stage, Long-term control drugs are administered at high dose levels. For neonates (age of 4), high doses of inhaled corticosteroids and LABA are considered. If the symptoms persist patients move to step 6.
6 Sixth line Therapy
If the symptoms are severe, high doses of corticosteroids and LABA are also administered to theophylline and leukotriene modifiers.
After all these medications in each stage, it is expected that the patient exhibits mild symptoms of asthma. If there are more difficulties in controlling asthma, t...