Asthma Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Asthma - Assignment Example They include; inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, long-acting beta agonists (LABAs), theophylline and a combination of inhalers that contain both corticosteroid and a LABA. Inhaled corticosteroids include: Fluticasone, Budesonide, Mometasone, Beclomethasone, Ciclesonide (Naff and Clay 2010). Inhaled corticosteroids have a few side effects which include; one may experience a thrush when taking higher doses and on rare occasions hoarseness may occur. One should regularly rinse the mouth, gargle after using the asthma inhaler and use a spacer device with metered dose inhaler. The intended treatment outcomes include; reduced frequency of asthma attacks, reduced use of beta-agonist bronchodilators, and improvement of lung functions, reduction of emergency hospital visits and hospitalizations (Krauss 2003). A peak flow meter gauges how air moves out of one’s lungs. Measuring one’s peak flow is an important part in managing asthmatic symptoms as well as an asthma attack. The reading from this device helps the patient to detect changes which may be signs of worsening asthma. Thus one is alerted of the tightening of airways days or hours before the onset of asthma symptoms or attacks (Krauss