Asthmatic stepwise approach. The Long-Term Control

Asthma and Stepwise Management
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Asthma and Stepwise Management
Asthma is a condition that can make individuals have a problem breathing because it makes airways narrow and swell to produce mucus and it can either be minor or a significant challenge for some people (Arcangelo and Peterson, 2013). People with asthma have their airways inflamed, and the swelling may increase when symptoms re-triggered making it difficult for air to move in and out. Unfortunately, the chronic disease cannot be treated, but the symptoms such as wheezing can be put under control otherwise it can be dangerous. The control of asthma requires a stepwise management model, and two treatment choices include long-term control and quick-relief treatment that are always applied which this paper attempts to explain. The stepwise management approach will be discussed in detail, mainly how it is a useful tool that enables healthcare providers to manage chronic disease successfully.
The Long-Term Control
The long-term control is intended, it is critical in preventing symptom flare-ups to control the condition, and it is characterized by daily medications (Loo & Wark, 2016). The approach helps in achieving and maintaining control specifically in persistent cases, making it the most effective method to use even when dealing with continued attacks. Long-term control asthma pharmacotherapy includes medications such as theophylline and inhaled corticosteroids, which is believed to be the most effective anti-inflammatory medication (Arcangelo and Peterson, 2013). It tends to prevent the simulation of the inflammatory cells and airway hyperresponsive which are some of the chronical symptoms of asthma. Inhaled corticosteroid, which is known to improve the function of the respiratory system, may have certain side-effects such as hoarseness and easy bruising, but among children, it may lead to delayed or suppressed growth (Loo & Wark, 2016). Probably, healthcare providers should ensure that patients are given thorough medication alongside a detailed explanation of the possible side-effects to reduce any form of panic. Even though there are other long-term medications such as leukotriene modifiers and long-acting beta-agonists, it is apparent that the best one is inhaled corticosteroids, which, unfortunately, has some severe side-effects such as coughing and osteoporosis.
The Quick-Relief Approach
The quick-relief treatment is applied to deal with sudden outbursts such as shortness of breath, and the medications are known as bronchodilators since they help in the relaxation of airway muscles (Gerald et al., 2012). Quick-relief treatment eliminates symptoms and can save the lives of patients who are always required to have a rescue inhaler which may improve breathing within the shortest time possible. Some of the medications that can be used in the quick-relief treatment include Levalbuterol and Bitolterol, and the healthcare provid...