Pharmacotherapy for Respiratory Disorders: "Asthma and Step-wise Management"

Step-wise Management of Asthma
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Institutional Affiliation
 Step-wise Management of Asthma
Introduction
Asthma refers to a condition where excess inflammation and swelling of the airways narrows them leading to difficulties in breathing. It also leads to chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing. Severe asthma can adversely affect one’s daily life and can even be life-threatening. It is the most occurring form of chronic diseases in children (Fuchs et al., 2018). Though the disease occurs in both the developed and developing worlds, the developing world bears the largest burden. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 230 million people suffer from the condition globally (World Health Organization, 2018). A combination of environmental and genetic factors are thought to cause the condition. The environmental factors include exposure to air pollution as well as allergens (Miller & Lawrence, 2018). Diagnosis of asthma is made depending on the pattern of occurrence of the symptoms, the patient’s response to therapy, as well as spirometry. Though no cure for asthma exists, avoiding triggers, as well as various medications, can help prevent the symptoms. This paper seeks to explore the drugs that can be used to treat asthma as well as the impacts of the drugs on the patients. Step-wise management of asthma and its benefits will also be discussed.Drugs Used to Treat Asthmatic Patients
As mentioned earlier, there is no cure for asthma. Treatment is therefore aimed at preventing and controlling symptoms. The drugs used depend on the patient’s age, symptoms, and the triggers. The drugs help reduce the swelling (inflammation) of the airways, which leads to relief from the symptoms. Bronchodilators used in inhalers offer quick relief. Bronchodilators may contain ipratropium and short-acting beta agonists. Intravenous and oral corticosteroids such as prednisone can also be used for short-term relief. However, they cause adverse side effects when used for long (Berthon, Gibson, McElduff, MacDonald-Wicks, & Wood, 2015).  Where allergies are responsible for the inflammation, allergy medications such as omalizumab are given. Various drugs are given for the long-term management of asthma. 
Inhaled corticosteroids such as fluticasone, flunisolide, beclomethasone, and mometasone are some of the anti-inflammatory drugs used. Inhaled corticosteroids have a lower risk of side effects as compared to oral corticosteroids. They are therefore considered safe for long-term use. However, the patient might need to use them for several days and even weeks before maximum benefit is reached (Postma et al., 2017). 
Leukotriene modifiers are orally taken to relieve the symptoms of asthma for up to 24 hours. Drugs in this group include montelukast, zileuton, and zafirlukast. The drugs have been associated with psychological reactions such as hallucinations, aggression, agitation, and depression. Patients are usually advised to seek medical advice when these reactions are detected (Farzan, Vijverberg, Raaijmakers, & Zee, 2017). 
Long-acting beta-agonists are inhaled drugs that help open the air...